FOOD HISTORY: Galette Des Rois, Epiphany Cake (The Original King Cake)

Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6th, marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Carnival (which concludes with the beginning Lent). January 6th, which is 12 days after Christmas in the Gregorian calendar, is also known as Twelfth Night. It can get confusing to those not schooled in the tradition.…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Biscuits Roses de Reims, Cookies For Champagne

Is there a cookie to serve with Champagne? Absolutely: Biscuits Roses de Reims (i.e., pink cookies from Rheims) were made to dip in a glass of Champagne (although you can nibble them without dipping, and can serve with any other sparkling wine). You can buy them online at Amazon and Walmart. Note that there are…
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RECIPE: Holiday Meringue Drops

Austin, Texas has become a hot city to visit and move to, abetted by its ever-expanding food scene. One place of interest is Fluff Meringues & More is a modern patisserie that proffers European treats in a market full of cupcakes and Southern pecan pie. A meringue cookie is the opposite of these latter favorites.…
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TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Danish Creamery European Style Butter

Here’s some news for people who love their butter and products made with it: Not all butter is created equal. In addition to the base milk (organic versus conventional, the breed of cow, grass fed [free range]), different butters are churned to have different butterfat contents. In the U.S., products sold as “butter” must contain…
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PUMPKIN & CHOCOLATE RECIPES: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake, Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip Bread

[1] A Pumpkin Bundt Cake, studded with chocolate chips and walnuts (photos #1 and #3 © North Carolina Sweet Potato Commision). [2] Make sure to buy pumpkin puree, and not pumpkin pie filling. The latter has sugar and spices mixed in (photo © Jessica Gavin | Culinary Scientist). [3] Looking for something lighter? Try this…
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