New Canaan Farms Cranberry Pepper Jam

Sweet, tart cranberries meet the gentle heat of serrano peppers in this small-batch jam from New Canaan Farms. The cranberry flavor comes through first, followed by a peppery kick that adds just enough heat to keep things interesting.

Spoon it over a log of goat cheese or a wheel of warm Brie, and you've got an appetizer that takes about two minutes to put together. It's also delicious spread on croissants, tucked into a turkey and Swiss sandwich, or served alongside roasted chicken or ham. Try it with roasted sweet potatoes and pecans, or add a little to your next batch of deviled eggs.

And don't overlook breakfast. A spoonful on warm, buttered toast is a rather good way to start the morning.