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“The Snow Maiden” is a Russian folk tale that has been told, written, sung and danced. Versions exist throughout Europe, but the original story refers to an aging couple, a woodcutter and his wife, who are unable to have a child. One day, they build a child from snow and the child comes alive, only to disappear each spring and reappear with the first snow.

Frank DeCaro, the author of “The Dead Celebrity Cookbook,” is contemplating a bite of Greer Garson’s capirotada. Dressed in a red-and-white checked shirt and a red apron with one red and one black oven mitt by his side, the former “Daily Show” film critic and Sirius Radio talk show host looks somewhat befuddled. He pushes his thick, black-rimmed glasses up on his nose and chews slowly.