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11/23/2023 01:23 PMA while back my friend Colleen proposed hosting a brunch to help create and pay for a small neighborhood of transitional housing in the back yard of the Amistad House of Hospitality in New Haven.
Well, I told her, that’s just silly! We should just donate the money we would spend on food! There is no way to make any substantial amount of money by hosting a brunch, I chided. Furthermore, I argued, how does it even make sense to help create a micro-neighborhood when surely there are plenty of homeless shelters?
We were riding the train to New York during this particular conversation and after I made my remarks, I remember Colleen taking a moment before answering. Perhaps as were sitting next to each other, both of us facing forward, she was silently uttering a prayer asking for patience.
Because I had so much to learn.
First, about our unhoused neighbors, she explained: They suffer from a so-called support system that all too often makes it hard for them to maintain their marriages, their relationships, their friendships, and work opportunities. It also separates them from their pets, often the source of the truest form of unconditional love and support many of us will ever experience. Sleeping in a homeless shelter can make them feel more criminal than human. It is so much easier for them to make a fresh start if they are part of caring community, she said. That made so much sense.
As for the brunch, she said, have faith. And so I just chose to believe her on that one, because she is one of the best people I know. I figured maybe we could make enough from the brunch to help chip in for one of the tiny homes. Plus it would be fun.
And, what do you know, that first brunch truly was a miracle.
The generosity of some of you, my readers, and from the First Congregational Church of Guilford congregation that generously helped us host the event, and from others who attended resulted in the purchase and assembly of, not just one, but six--yes, six!--tiny homes in late October. You can read more about that first brunch and the project here: www.zip06.com/living/20230503/yes-in-my-backyard/.
The next step is to make sure this little miracle of a housing experiment has sufficient funding to operate. And then we will figure out the next step and take that step. We had another brunch fundraiser about a week ago. My friend Ed made this compote. He also reminded me that Colleen recruited us to plan a party for 100 people to raise funds for the Immigrant Bail fund. She showed us how to lobby for juvenile justice reform. She encouraged us to collect diapers and funds for the National Diaper Bank. She co-authored a book on how to combat poverty, complete with tips on actions we all can take. You can find out more about the book here: benbellabooks.com/shop/brokeinamerica/. Also, she’s a great cook and is a lot of fun.
I thought you might like the recipe Ed is using for the compote. It’s perfect for the fall and winter. It looks delicious and promises to make the whole house smell amazing.
If you’d like to learn more about Rosette Village or to make a donation, you can visit this page: www.rosettevillage.org/.
Caramelized Apple And Cranberry Compote
Recipe from Mike Di Benidetto.
Copyright: Design in Food 2005
Serves 12
Ingredients
Directions
1. Place the cranberries in a small bowl, cover with hot water and set aside to plump. (You can use apple juice or cider, or orange juice instead)
2. In a heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the apples, cinnamon, 1tablespoon of the sugar and pinch of nutmeg and cook, stirring often, until the apples are soft and tender but not broken down.
3. While the apples are cooking, combine the apricot preserves, orange juice and rind, optional, in a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until the preserves have melted. Set aside.
4. Combine the remaining ½ cup sugar with the water in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir once to dissolve the sugar. Continue to boil without stirring until the mixture turns a light hazelnut brown. Pour the caramel over the apples, together with the apricot mixture and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until thoroughly incorporated.
5. Drain the cranberries well, add to the apples and just heat through.
6. Serve warm over pancakes, French toast or waffles. This is also great with baked ham, or pork. (For savory uses, I add some cracked black pepper and a pinch of ground clove.)