FOOD 101: Fruit Cocktail History

May 13th is National Fruit Cocktail Day. We’re all familiar with cans of fruit cocktail from Del Monte, Dole and Libby’s. But who first created it, and why is it called “cocktail?” First: There is no alcohol in a conventional fruit cocktail. So why is it called fruit cocktail, instead of simply fruit salad? There’s…
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FOOD 101: Empanadas, History & National Empanada Day

[1] Latin American empanadas are made in individual portions (photo © Fairway | NYC). [2] Chicken empanadas (photo © Good Eggs). [3] Galician and Portuguese empanadas are made as a whole pie and served in slices (photo © Maria Lunarillos)   May 8th is National Empanada Day. Most Americans know empanadas as fried Latin American…
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Types Of Custard: Creme Brulee, Creme Caramel, Pot de Creme

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo. This year, it’s also the Kentucky Derby and National Hoagie Day. What’s a holiday-focused food writer to do? We can recommend that you use the Holidays & Occasions pull-down menu at the right and peruse the content for both holidays. But we’re going to focus on custard. Why custard?…
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FOOD FUN: May The Fourth Be With You

[1] Turn milk and cookies into Princess Leia for Star Wars Day (photo courtesy Bourbon House | NOLA). [2] The current and original Mallomars packages (photo courtesy NPR.org). [3] Bake your own Mallomars with this recipe from Saveur.   Star Wars Day, May 4th, celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars films. (“May the forth be with…
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FOOD FUN: 400 Food Histories

[1] Food histories from A (almonds, apple brown betty, avocado and 14 more), to Z… [2] Zucchini bread (photo #1 courtesy Tio Gazpacho, photo #2 courtesy Betty Crocker). [3] The Edible Series books have deep histories of foods and beverages. [4] A historical novel for lovers of great food and intrigue. Get your copy on…
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