TIP OF THE DAY: Winter Fruit Compote

First: What’s a compote? A popular medieval European dessert that faded out of style in the mid-20th century, compote (COM-poat), also referred to as poached or stewed fruit, is mix of fruits cooked in a syrup. Although a single fruit can be cooked in the same manner, a variety is more interesting. In fact, the…
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FOOD HOLIDAY: National Pears Hélène Day

Poires Belle Hélène, shown without the ice cream. Photo by Teresa Kasprzycka | Dreamstime.   If you’ve never had Pears Hélène (more properly called Poire Belle Hélène), today’s the day: National Pears Helene Day. The dessert owes its origin to the opera La belle Hélène by composer Jacques Offenbach. It’s a comedic take on the…
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