Melba, peach, toast

Dame Nellie Melba, Australian-born lyric soprano (1859-1931), who sang in the major opera house of the world, lives on in the dictionaries because of two culinary terms named in her honor. Peach Melba is a very rich dessert: a half peach set upon ice cream, filled with whipped cream the whole topped with raspberry sauce. After indulging in desserts of this sort, it is no wonder that one takes to Melba toast – very thinly sliced toast – in an effort to reduce one’s caloric intake.