Cranberries are one of those foods so associated with a particular meal that you seldom (probably never) consider making them except for that particular meal. And I know you know to which meal I allude. Because it is right around the corner.

I have decided to start my week of Thanksgiving recipes with cranberries, because they are essential to the Holiday table. And as promised I am bringing you 2 recipes. One traditional and one a little less expected.

Like I said cranberries tend to find their way to our table during the holidays. They are rightfully a special occasion food because they dress up a plate up like no other dish I can think of. They always look spectacular; they always hold their gorgeous crimson color no matter how tortured they are. Be they overcooked, drained from a can, or just plain neglected, they reward you with a deep ruby red no other food can match.

And it’s not just any red. It is, without a doubt, the most gorgeous shade of red existing in this over-produced Technicolor dream that is modern society.

Another day, another apple. After all “an apple a day” is a pretty straightforward phrase.

Today’s apple comes in the form of a cake. An Applesauce Cake. Yesterday I made applesauce because I knew I needed it as an ingredient in this cake. Ordinary store-bought applesauce would not do for this special cake. Thinking ahead is what separates Sup! from a snail...

I know you have heard me say (write) that I am not much of a baker. Which is indeed a true statement. But I am learning to push my boundaries in this regard and baking a bit more (at the insistence of the Nicks at Imafoodblog and Macheesmo; you may even see bread here one day). But for now, my baking focus has been cakes. Simple, rustic cakes. Cakes that are neither too sweet, nor beyond my skill level. Towering layer cakes may be in my future, but let’s take that on in baby steps, shall we?

“An apple a day…”

You know the rest of that phrase in the traditional sense. I know you do. But here at SippitySup that phrase means I have slipped into one of my moods and I plan to post an “Apple A Day” for an entire week.

That’s right, nothing but apple recipes for an entire week. It’s the perfect subject for a weeklong series too, because apples have become part of the culinary culture of these United States.

There are historical reasons why the apple is so popular here, especially in the northeastern parts of this country.

Pilgrims (yes of Thanksgiving fame) brought both seeds and cuttings to America. And though there is some discussion about the authenticity of a chap named Johnny Appleseed there is no denying that the tree has indeed found its way from “sea to shining sea".