Food Encyclopedia

ambrosia

1. According to Greek mythology, ambrosia (meaning "immortality") was the food of the gods on Mt. Olympus. More recently, the word designates a dessert of chilled fruit (usually oranges and bananas) mixed with coconut. Ambrosia is also sometimes served as a salad. 2. A mixed drink made by shaking cognac, brandy (usually calvados or applejack) and cointreau or raspberry syrup with crushed ice, then straining into a glass and topping off with cold champagne. It's said to have been created at New Orleans' famous Arnaud's restaurant shortly after Prohibition ended. 3. [ahm-BROH-zee-ah] A popular Brazilian dessert of Portuguese origin. It's an extremely rich egg custard flavored with cinnamon and cloves and served cold.