The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

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Australia's Food Scene Feb 18, 2006

Show notes

We're off to Australia where it's summer now and the food scene is hot. Aussie star chef Bill Granger tells us where and what to eat in Sydney. His book, Bill's Open Kitchen, is full of uncomplicated and tantalizing recipes like a Glazed Duck with Pear and Rocket Salad. Before taking off for some retail therapy at the Kittery outlets, Jane and Michael Stern fuel up with the Clam-O-Rama at the Maine Diner in Wells.

Sally Schneider has a whole new concept for using dried fruit, including her method for Essential Plumped Dried Fruit. Just in time for Shrove Tuesday, global food authority and Moscow native Anya Von Bremzen joins us to talk a Blini. The recipe is from her book The Greatest Dishes: Around the World in 80 Recipes. Dr. Robert Kushner of Northwestern Medical School has the scoop on dieting dogs, and the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

February 5, 2005 (originally aired)
February 18, 2006 (rebroadcast)

The Breath of a Wok Jan 21, 2006

Show notes

Chinese food authority Grace Young joins us this week with the story of China's famous pot and shares tips on how to achieve the perfect stir-fry. She leaves us a recipe for Chinese Broccoli with Ginger Sauce from her new book, The Breath of a Wok: Unlocking the Spirit of Chinese Wok Cooking Through Recipes and Lore.

It's old-world Eastern European fare for the Sterns at Polonez in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Andrea Immer tells us how to stock a wine closet on the cheap and shares her recipe for Coconut Milk-Curry Shrimp Soup from her new book, Everyday Dining with Wine. Patricia Schultz, author of the fascinating book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, names three places to eat before you die.

Zanne Stewart, executive food editor of Gourmet magazine, tells what it was like testing the 1,000 recipes featured in the new The Gourmet Cookbook. The Rumaki recipe is one to remember for upcoming holiday parties. We'll hear about the healthy vending machine program from Stonyfield Yogurt, and Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

November 6, 2004 (originally aired)
January 21, 2006 (rebroadcast)

Vegetable Love Jan 14, 2006

Show notes

This week our guest is Barbara Kafka, one of the masterful cooks in the food profession. When Barbara digs into a subject she takes no prisoners. She's created her own short list of cookbook classics with titles like Roasting, Soup, and Microwave Gourmet, and each one is a complete education. Now, she has ideas for bringing more veggies into our lives with her new book, Vegetable Love. She leaves us her recipes for Parsnip Ice Cream and Greek Island Potatoes.

The Sterns dig into classic Dixie diner fare and sky high meringue pies at Crystal Grill in Greenwood, Mississippi. Kitchen equipment expert Dorie Greenspan has the scoop on the new silicone kitchenware. From muffin pans to rolling pins, is silicone the way to go?

For Chris Kimball of America's Test Kitchen fame, the ideal family vacation involves a tent, two kids, 4 camels, and a cook walking the desert in Morocco. Morning Edition's Kitchen Sisters talk America's hidden kitchens—the ones not in houses and restaurants—from their book, Hidden Kitchens: Stories, Recipes, and More from NPR's The Kitchen Sisters.

In honor of its 100th birthday, Ted Allen, food guy of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, talks our most overlooked appliance: the toaster. And, as always, the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

January 14, 2006

Inspiring Thirst Jan 07, 2006

Show notes

San Francisco wine merchant and importer Kermit Lynch joins us this week with the story of how he entered the wine world through the back door and ended up a leader in the exquisite and the little known. His new book is Inspiring Thirst: Vintage Selections from the Kermit Lynch Wine Brochure.

It’s meat-and-three for the Sterns at Zarzour’s, a Chattanooga favorite so elusive it’s only listing in the phone book is under the name of the owner’s mother-in-law! Joshua Wesson cracks the code for teaming booze with stews, and Lynne shares her recipe for Emilia-Romagna Braised Pork Ribs, a luscious dish from Ferrara just right for a wintery evening.

Steve Jenkins talks bargain cheeses, and Nigel Slater, author of Toast: The Story of a Boy’s Hunger, remembers a mother straining to cook with love but always missing the mark. For winemaker wannabes we have the scoop on the Crushpad, a new idea for home winemaking, and Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

January 8, 2005 (originally aired)
January 7, 2006 (rebroadcast)

Per Se Dec 31, 2005

Show notes

This week it's the mother of all kitchen tours. Thomas Keller is repeatedly named the best chef in the country. When he set out to duplicate his famed California restaurant, The French Laundry, in New York City, he dictated every design element, but for unheard of reasons. The result is Per Se, the hottest restaurant in the country right now. Chef Keller leads the tour and shares his recipe for Mussels with Saffron and Mustard from his fabulous new book Bouchon.

The Sterns are forking into classic cowboy steak at Sleepy Hollow in Oklahoma City. Wine maverick Joshua Wesson talks Mourvedre, the new muscle man grape that produces a big bruiser of a red. Sally Schneider, author of A New Way to Cook, suggests vanilla beans to rescue a dish. Her recipe for Vanilla Bean Syrup kicks up the natural flavors of fruit. We have new food games - the SmartsCo flash cards - for trivia at the dinner table, and Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

December 11, 2004 (originally aired)
December 31, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Great Food Around the World Dec 24, 2005

Show notes

Today we offer our holiday special, a special guide to reveling, relaxing, and reflecting. This is a remarkable time of the year and no matter where you go, you'll find celebrations and feasting.

Chef and Mexican food expert Rick Bayless spends every Christmas in Oaxaca and he takes us inside the holiday south-of-the-border. Wine maverick Joshua Wesson advises us on whether to drink or store those wonderful gift wines we receive.

Jane and Michael Stern find a place to celebrate the holidays all year round in Frankenmuth Michigan.

Traveling around the globe we get the best of India's celebrations with actress and food authority Madhur Jaffrey. From London, Nigella Lawson talks about life, food, and Christmas dinner.

In Europe it is Christmas in Paris with Patricia Wells and of course Lynne shares Italian celebrations.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

December 24, 2005

Charcuterie Dec 17, 2005

Show notes

This week we're talking all things salted, cured and smoked with food writer Michael Ruhlman, co-author of Charcuterie. In Europe, charcuterie is high craft, done by masters. Here, it's the latest thing in the artisan food movement. Michael has tips for making your own home-cured meats and seafood and shares his recipe for the ultimate party food: Pâté de Campagne.

The Sterns are at Becky's Diner, beloved by locals in Portland, Maine. The food is delicious and Becky makes you feel like you've come home to mom.

Wine wit Joshua Wesson suggests wines to sip with fruitcake. Can they redeem the much-maligned gateau? Dorie Greenspan brings a French twist to the holiday cookie exchange with Anise Cookies and Lemon Butter Cookies from her wonderful book, Paris Sweets: Great Desserts from the City's Best Pastry Shops

Our New York food guy Mike Colamecco returns to talk pure romance: Christmas in New York. He names restaurants and food shops that serve up holiday magic along with great food.

Robert Tinnell, author of Feast of the Seven Fishes, tells the story of the comic strip inspired by a Christmas Eve date, and, as always, the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

December 17, 2005

Burgundy Dec 03, 2005

Show notes

Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson joins us this week to talk Burgundy wine. It's the tricky but luscious older brother of Pinot Noir that the movie "Sideways" crowned the new king. Andrea's Pearl Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Carrots pairs beautifully with Pinot Noirs from Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise district.

The Sterns are dining with night owls and truckers at Jo Jo's Restaurant in Pittsburgh. Sally Schneider stops by with what we need to know about seasoning with nut oils. Her divine Leek "Noodles" with Crème Fraîche and Hazelnut Oil is the best introduction we know. When one more carol threatens to send you screaming from the room, World Music master Bob Duskis comes to the rescue with holiday music to entertain by. The good news is there's not a fa-la-la-la-la in the bunch!

Then we have the latest from Paris—temporary restaurants. They're open a few days then they're gone forever!

Broadcast dates for this episode:

December 3, 2005

Indian Home Cooking Nov 26, 2005

Show notes

This week's guest could be New York's next star chef. He's Suvir Saran, author of Indian Home Cooking. His food is all about clear, singing flavors and simple, light dishes. Tomato Rasam is a fine example.

The Sterns are munching sopaipillas dipped in liquid sunshine at the Plaza Café, Santa Fe's oldest restaurant.

Steve Jenkins introduces us to lush gooey cheeses, the ones he calls the "cheeses of a lifetime."

Britain's beloved food writer Nigel Slater tells of a fragile mother-son relationship forged in the kitchen from his heartbreakingly funny memoir TOAST: The Story of a Boy's Hunger.

Sally Schneider talks winter squash and leaves us her delicious recipe for Roasted Winter Squash Slices. Finally, we'll hear about an unusual pizza unique to the upper Midwest and Fox's Pizza Den.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

October 9, 2004 (originally aired)
November 26, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Thanksgiving Nov 19, 2005

Show notes

It's our annual Thanksgiving show and we're bringing you a banquet of recipes, stories, a cut of history, and new looks at feasting inside and outside our borders. Food authority Joan Nathan talks real American food today from home kitchens across the country. Her recipe for Braised Butternut Squash with Mustard Seeds, Chili, Curry Leaves, and Ginger is from her new book, The New American Cooking.

Who but the Sterns would find popcorn missing from the Thanksgiving table? They fill the void at Yoder Popcorn in Topeka, Indiana. Lynne has a new rule for the big feast and a whole do-ahead menu designed for one oven. It could change how you do Thanksgiving dinner from now on.

Sally Schneider is back tackling side dishes and the big pumpkin question: fresh or canned? Her delicious Cranberry-Walnut Conserve is one side dish you'll want on your table! Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio tell of going inside the kitchens and lives of families from Greenland to Chad to photograph what they eat in one week. It's all documented in their book, Hungry Planet: What the World Eats.

You'll hear about a coronation feast with a spine-tingling twist from Nichola Fletcher, author of Charlemagne's Tablecloth, and one urban activist tells the political side of dumpster diving.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

November 19, 2005

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