THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

I dined at Delmonico’s hard by the Fifth-avenue Hotel, a few nights ago; and among the dainties which that consummate caterer favoured us with, was an entrement [typically a multi-layered cake or dish separate from the main course] called an “Alaska.” The “Alaska” is a baked ice.  A beau mentir qui vient de loin [means “long ways,” “long lies,” or a “travelers tale”]; but this is no traveller’s tale.  The nucleus or core of the entrement is an ice cream.  This is surrounded by an envelope of carefully whipped cream, which, just before the dainty dish is served, is popped into the oven, or is brought under the scorching influence of a red hot salamander; so that its surface is covered with a light brown crust.  So you go on discussing the warm cream soufflé till you come, with somewhat painful suddenness, on the row of ice.  E’en so did the Shepard in Virgil grow acquainted with love, and find him a native of the rocks.

Sala/Revisited, 1883

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Citing fears that the U.S. government may allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, about 100 protesters sought to melt their opponents’ arguments with a Capitol Hill rally Friday featuring a gigantic baked Alaska.  Ben & Jerry’s, the ice cream company known for its activism, was one of the sponsors. The Alaska Wilderness League also helped organize the demonstration.  “This is not going to last very long, just like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, if you drill up there,” said Arnold Carbone, one of the creators of the mammoth frozen treat and a “flavor guru” at Ben & Jerry’s.  A dozen people walked the baked Alaska, weighing about 900 pounds, from a freezer truck and placed it on display. They carried the massive dessert on two large sheets of plywood and a set of 2-by-4 lumber.  “It’s a combination of cake, ‘fossil fuel,’ one of our new flavors and marshmallow,” said Carbone, whose shirt was covered with melted bits of cake.

CNN