
A historical salad from The White House cook book; a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home .. (1913). When complete, the dish should look very appetizing.
Preserved exactly as written in the original source
Put in the centre of a dish a pineapple properly pared, cored and sliced, yet retaining as near as practicable its original shape
0 notes
Sign in to share your thoughts and connect with the community
Sign In to CommentLoading notes...
Peel, quarter and remove the seeds from four sweet oranges; arrange them in a border around the pineapple
Select four fine bananas, peel and cut into slices lengthwise; arrange these zigzag-fence fashion around the border of the dish
In the V-shaped spaces around the dish put tiny mounds of grapes of mixed colors
To half a pint of clear sugar syrup add half an ounce of good brandy, pour over the fruit and serve
Modern guidance to help you succeed with this vintage recipe
Macerating fruit in sugar syrup draws out natural juices through osmosis while simultaneously infusing sweetness, creating a unified flavor profile. The brandy acts as a flavor enhancer, heightening the perception of fruit aromatics by making volatile compounds more perceptible. The strategic layering prevents enzymatic browning by minimizing cut surface exposure to air, while the syrup coating creates a protective barrier that slows oxidation.
The sugar syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pineapple can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerated. However, bananas should be cut no more than 30 minutes before serving to prevent browning, and the dish should be assembled and dressed just before serving for optimal presentation and texture.
This salad is best served immediately after assembly. If absolutely necessary, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, though bananas will darken and all fruits will soften considerably. The texture and visual appeal cannot be restored after storage.
AI-generated tips from Chef Cecil's culinary database
The sugar syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pineapple can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerated. However, bananas should be cut no more than 30 minutes before serving to prevent browning, and the dish should be assembled and dressed just before serving for optimal presentation and texture.
This salad is best served immediately after assembly. If absolutely necessary, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, though bananas will darken and all fruits will soften considerably. The texture and visual appeal cannot be restored after storage.