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Food

'The Book Of Pears': A Love Letter To A Once Pre-Eminent Fruit

Eliza Barclay

A British fruit historian convincingly argues in a new book that the pear is "the most exciting of the tree fruits." And she says it's time to revive pear culture and explore the fruit's diversity.
International

From Russia, With Mayonnaise: Cookbook Revisits Soviet Classics

Deena Prichep

The dishes that marked the Soviet era still have a strong pull on Russian sentiment (if not stomachs). A new book revisits these recipes, born, in part, of food shortages and ingenuity.
'A Confederacy Of Dunces Cookbook': A Classic Revisited In Recipes

NPR Staff

Set in 1960s New Orleans, A Confederacy of Dunces centers around Ignatius J. Reilly, a glutton in a city known for its cuisine. A new cookbook looks at the food central to the heralded comedic novel.
Economy

How Chicago's Slaughterhouse Spectacles Paved The Way For Big Meat

Anne Bramley

Opened in 1865, Chicago's Union Stock Yard was the greatest livestock market the world had seen. Tourists watched masses of animals move through kill floors, a sight hailed as a miracle of modernity.
KPBS Midday Edition

Chef Bernard Guillas Shares Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Maureen Cavanaugh

Marissa Cabrera

Chef Bernard of the Marine Room restaurant in La Jolla will answer questions about cooking, entertaining and all-around enjoying the holidays.
National

How To Dodge Political Squabble This Gobble Day

NPR Staff

When Thanksgiving comes during an election season, dinner table conversations can get contentious. We check in with Miss Manners to learn how we might get through the holiday without a family feud.
In 'The Nordic Cookbook,' An In-Depth Take On Region's Diverse Cuisine

NPR Staff

Looking for a recipe for pickled herring or blood pancakes cooked in reindeer fat? Chef Magnus Nilsson's The Nordic Cookbook has these recipes and nearly 700 others.
Racial Justice and Social Equity

Once A Hard Sell, Wal-Mart's Patti LaBelle Pies Fly Off Shelves

Andrew Limbong

The sweet potato pie, sold in boxes bearing LaBelle's face, was a ho-hum seller until a video singing its praises went viral last week. Why pie fever? Partly, it's about celebrating black culture.
Health

Drink To Your Health: Study Links Daily Coffee Habit To Longevity

Allison Aubrey

People who drank three to five cups of coffee per day had a lower risk of premature death than those who didn't drink, a new study finds. Decaf seems to have the same benefit.
Science & Technology

A Kitchen Science Savant Shares His Secrets In 'The Food Lab'

NPR Staff

Kenji Lopez-Alt left a restaurant job to test and write about the mysteries of food science. His new book details findings from how best to sear a steak to how to get more golden pancakes.