Forks on the Left

Latest Episodes:

"The Lifestyles of the Rich and 2 Jeffs" with Chris Rich - Ep. 12 Jan 13, 2017

Show notes

What's life like for an actor who loves great food and drink? From "starving-actor" to "starring-actor," Strauss and Phelps sit down with television's Christopher Rich, star of Murphy Brown, Boston Legal, Another World, Reba and more to talk TV Comedy, the "ins and outs" of eating both on camera and off, cooking dinner for the cast of "Reba," Chris's perfect omelet and "quaff-able wine."

Recipe - The "Perfect" Thin-style French Omelet Day Drinking: Squall Red Blend (discussed but not consumed) and Forks on the Left 2013 "Mixed Blacks" from Longtable Wines. Chris Rich Twitter, Instagram

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Neela Takes Us Home - Ep. 11 Jan 07, 2017

Show notes

Chef Neela Paniz's food journey spans a lifetime and tens of thousands of miles. After growing up in India in the years following the fall of the British Raj, she landed in the US in her twenties having never cooked anything and by the time Strauss and Phelps sit down at her kitchen table, she's a veteran chef who's launched three restaurants including Bombay Cafe, LA's pillar of modern-Indian street food; she's a "Chopped" champion, a cookbook author and one of the most articulate and knowledgeable voices in cuisine.

Neela welcomes us into her home kitchen and not only cooks for us, but also gives us a cooking lesson with a great recipe for the killer-ketchup replacement - her incredible and not-hard-to-make Sweet Tomato Chutney. Strauss reveals that it is this chutney and Neela who cost him a hilarious trip to the ER and a small part of himself. Neela talks about learning to cook watching Julia Child and their eventual meeting. She takes us on an intercontinental adventure of her life from being a schoolgirl in India to owning and running restaurants in Napa and Hollywood. We learn secrets of "blooming" spices to maximize their flavor and impact. And of course, there's a little Indian-food-friendly Day Drinking with Taj Mahal Lager and Meyer-Nakel Rose of Pinot Noir.

Recipe - Neela's Sweet Tomato Chutney

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Hangover Cures - Ep. 10 Dec 30, 2016

Show notes

Hangover Cures! In honor of New Years and "The Great Morning After" we dig deep into the downsides of alcohol consumption and tips on prevention as well as a wide-ranging exploration of remedies from the mythical to the medical. Hair of the Dog? Hydration? Does mixing beverages matter? What about clear vs colored booze? Is there anything you can eat or drink the next day that makes a difference? Is there something that medical science can do for you? In true Forks on the Left style, Phelps throws himself all the way into his hangover research — both on an evening spent "getting in" and to the final "stab" he subjects himself to in his search for answers. We search for expert help from Bar Manager/Mixologist Sean Griffin as well as actual medical insights from our friendly, anonymous neurologist friend, Dr. ?????? and traveling nurse, Kendra Butler from The I.V. Doc (theIVdoc.com). And whether you're suffering or just want a great brunch the next day, Strauss breaks out a pair of amazing egg recipes that are sure to perk you up on New Years or any morning ("after" or not).

Bar Manager/Mixologist: Sean Griffin

The I.V. Doc Promo Code: FORKSLEFT

What Is Christmas? (Featuring Tom Lennon) Dec 23, 2016

Show notes

Happy Holidays! Here's a musical gift of laughter from all of us at Forks on the Left brought to you by the brilliance of Jeff Elmassian, Andy Rehfeldt, Grant Cornish and Mary Catherine Finney. Cheers!

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For more visit forksontheleft.com

The Side Dish 3 - Cookbook Gift Picks 2016 Dec 21, 2016

Show notes

Cookbook Gift Ideas from one of the world's most knowledgeable cooks and cookbook authors: Susie Heller, co-author of all 5 of Thomas Keller's cookbooks including "The French Laundry," "The Pizza Bible" with Tony Gemignani, and "Happy in the Kitchen" with Michel Richard. There's something here for every cook and foodie on your list!

Check out our website for links to each of the books Susie recommends. Susie Heller: @susiefeast

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Very Cheesy Christmas: Tom Lennon Does Number 2 - Ep. 9 Dec 16, 2016

Show notes

Lots more Tom Lennon. Lots more comedy. Lots more Cheesy Christmas — including illegal cheese smuggling, Strauss's all around favorite red-wine-pairing cheese, and the surprising discovery of Tom Lennon's impromptu "the best cheese I've ever had in my entire life" award. Tom wades into the "Great Chicago Giordano's vs Malnati's Pizza Debate." Tom and Strauss discover an unexpected fire-arms stupidity/run-ins with the law connection...Stories of youthful excess, Hollywood Christmas gifts and Chanukah sex. Lots more wine discussion covering the Grenache/Syrah blend from Longtable and Gigondas from Tom's cellar, and a little excellent beer, too — thanks to Phelps and Deschutes Brewery! For those who want to play-along at home — grab a bottle of your favorite Syrah/Grenache blend, pick up a couple of the cheeses from the Cheesy Christmas List on our website (or ask your cheese store for the closest thing)… and indulge with us, it's Christmas, right?!

Tom Lennon - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Day Drinking: Deschutes Brewery Jubelale, Longtable "The Gathering" 2012 Mt. Veeder, Napa (also available at Backroom Wines), Gigondas 2013

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Tom Lennon: A Very Cheesy Christmas (Part 1) - Ep. 8 Dec 09, 2016

Show notes

Get out your generic Lipitor and your favorite hangover cure because the cheeses are all lined up and the Wine and Champagne is flowing like a hip-hop video. Actor/Writer/Director/Producer/Comedian /Ethical Vegetarian/Wine Snob Tom Lennon joins us to share stories of eating and drinking, comedy, Chicago, New Orleans, wine, cheese and Tom's "current wife," Jenny Robertson. Phelps kicks off the session by pouring "the largest glass of champagne (Tom) has seen in 20 years" and in no time the three are deep into figuring out "What is Christmas food?" "What is the best 'drinking city' in America, and Tom's secret theory behind "Why Americans think the French are rude." Don't miss Part 1 of "Tom Lennon: A Very Cheesy Christmas" because if you do, you'll miss a lot of great stuff and you'll probably be a little lost next week when we release Part 2.

Tom Lennon - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Day Drinking: Henriot Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Longtable "The Gathering" 2012 Mt. Veeder, Napa (also available at Backroom Wines)

Visit our website for the list of cheeses Tom and The Jeffs ate so you can eat (and drink) along at home!

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From Coolhaus to Your House - Ep. 7 Dec 03, 2016

Show notes

It's the season of miracles, right? So why not hang out with one of the creators of an actual "miracle" — Natasha Case, who with her partner Freya Estreller, reinvented not one but two of life's perfect things, the ice cream sandwich, and the ice cream truck! Starting with just an idea — "architecturally-inspired gourmet ice cream" — the two started making cookies and ice cream and calling them things like "IM Pei-Nut Butter" and "Mintimalism" — and with a couple thousand borrowed dollars, a beat up old mail truck and just a little bit of luck, Coolhaus was born. Strauss and Phelps dig in with Case on this story of inspiration and entrepreneurialism. With a little prodding, they get Case to give up the "inside scoop" on some of your favorite celebrities' favorite flavors. AND, they get to try a whole bunch of extraordinary ice cream and cookie combos. They're joined by writer/producer Diana Levy, who is developing a TV series based on the amazing Coolhaus story. Phelps' 7-year-old, Coolhaus-obsessed daughter "phones in" some expert questions and commentary. And, of course, there's a little Day Drinking — asking, how well does beer go with ice cream???

Natasha Case / Coolhaus - Website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook Diana Levy - Twitter, Instagram Kate Phelps - Special Correspondent, Ice-cream Expert

Day Drinking: Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing

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Don't F*cking Call Them Leftovers - Ep. 6 Nov 25, 2016

Show notes

"Leftovers." It's a word that strikes terror into the hearts of so many of us. Well, fear no more. We love when life gives us a little more than we can handle in one sitting — the key is to make great use of what you couldn't finish the first time. And that's what we're doing this week. Strauss and Phelps discuss all kinds of great ideas and recipes using the remains of Thanksgiving Day, and we're also serving up a great interview with wine-expert Jill Bernheimer (@DomaineLA), owner of Domaine LA, one of LA's most creative and thoughtfully curated wine and spirit shops. She brings us three very well-priced and interesting wines from her store for a little audio wine tasting. And, we've got a brilliant "remix" of our Episode 1 interview with Phil Rosenthal. Resident Endless Noise musical geniuses Jeff Elmassian and Andy Rehfeldt bring us the audio version of raising the leftovers game with a remix titled, "Talking 'bout Fried Chicken" — we think your "leftovers" can be every bit as good as the original, if not better. Listening is believing!

Visit our website to download the Phil remix!

The Side Dish 2 - Just The Tips (Thanksgiving Edition) Nov 22, 2016

Show notes

A handful of Strauss' favorite Thanksgiving suggestions. How much turkey per person? Secrets to a moist turkey...What to do if you or people you love are vegetarian...What wine to drink...And a super easy way to up your holiday "stuffing game."

Visit forksontheleft.com to check out the recipe for Jeff Strauss' confit turkey wings.