Organic Matter

My friend Sarah Murray has just published a book about the rites and practices people follow when saying farewell to their dead. Apparently, not just the mafia has unusual ways of disposing of bodies. Making an Exit explores what in the author's words are "sad, funny, dark, enlightening, moving, scary, weird and wonderful" things people do to deep-six their loved ones. It seems Sarah was moved by her research, as you can see from this video of the unusual conversation piece tucked discreetly into a corner of her apartment.

Tarte aux Abricot

This is pretty easy if you have some frozen pastry and fruit and jam on hand. Bake the shell, smear a generous amount of jam on the bottom and then put the fruit on top. Bake it again until any juice that's released is fairly thin, up to 45 minutes. It will  thicken more when it cools.