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

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Candyfreak Jun 18, 2005

Show notes

This week it's the story of a life-altering sweet tooth. Our guest, Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak, has lived his entire life for candy and surely knows more about candy history than Mars and Hershey combined. The Sterns are choosing between democracy and dictatorship at Hallo Berlin, a sausage cart on the streets of New York.

Travel writer Anya Von Bremzen reports on world food markets worth a trip. Sally Schneider talks the garlic of the moment and shares a recipe for Warm Goat Cheese Salad with Roasted Garlic. Al Sicherman reports on "the unfortunate pantry: a taste test." Citysearch brings us a new way to find good eats when we're on the road, and Lynne shares her recipe for Sweet and Pungent Sicilian Sauce.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

May 29, 2004 (originally aired)
June 18, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Big Bites with Linda Ellerbee May 28, 2005

Show notes

Funny and frank journalist Linda Ellerbee joins us this week to talk travel, eating, and the meaning of life. She shares a recipe for Mama's Rescued Fudge Pie from Take Big Bites: Adventures Around the World and Across the Table, her recently published memoirs.

The Sterns celebrate Grilled Cheese Month at Clementine in Los Angeles where the banana cream pie is to die for! Deborah Madison stops by with a fresh take on crepes. Her recipe for Masa Crepes with Chard, Chiles and Cilantro is from her new book, Vegetarian Suppers from Deborah Madison's Kitchen.

Dr. Arthur Aufderheide, who runs the International Mummy Registry, tells a fascinating tale of exhuming the bodies of the Medici's to figure out their diet! Read a profile of Dr. Aufderheide in the May 16, 2005 issue of The New Yorker.

Jeremy Jackson, author of Good Day for a Picnic, takes summer dining al fresco beyond fried chicken and potato salad. His ideas for a perfectly packed picnic hamper include goodies like Brown Sugar Almonds for nibbling, Little Meatballs with Cherries for scooping up with pita bread, and Radler for sipping.

Food and Wine editor Dana Cowin names the epicurean magazine's picks for Best New Chefs 2005, and Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

May 28, 2005

The Accidental Connoisseur May 14, 2005

Show notes

When our guest, Lawrence Osbourne, wondered if he could trust his own palate he went inside the wine world to find out. He'll tell us what he learned. His book is The Accidental Connoisseur: An Irreverent Journey Through the World of Wine.

The Sterns are getting their licks at one of America's last great ice cream factories—the Big Dipper in Prospect, Connecticut. Sally Schneider talks duck and claims it's the new steak. Try her recipe for Duck Breast with Thyme Infused Honey and Balsamic Pan Sauce. Andrew Dornenberg, co-author with Karen Page of The New American Chef, tells of a chef's ultimate sacrifice to seasonal cooking. Suquet de Rape, a Spanish fish stew, is a delicious offering from the book.

Scott Haas takes us to Tokyo for a private tea ceremony, and Marion Cunningham joins us in a tribute to James Beard's 100th birthday. Marion's charming new book is Lost Recipes: Meals to Share with Friends and Family. Her classic Chicken, Fruit and Curry Salad comes from the book.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

May 1, 2004 (originally aired)
May 14, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Fetzer Vineyards Apr 30, 2005

Show notes

Paul Dolan, president of Fetzer Vineyards and author of True to Our Roots: Fermenting a Business Revolution, has made some unconventional changes at one of America's most successful wineries. We'll hear how this big producer is practicing what usually works only on a small scale. It could be the new way of wine. The Sterns settle a meat pie debate at Cousin Jenny's Gourmet Cornish Pasties in Traverse City, Michigan, and Lynne weighs in with her take on the meal in a crust: Pizza Rustica.

Gourmet magazine's John Willoughby talks that Asian classic, Steamed Sticky Rice, and David Rosengarten wants us to try veal breast, an inexpensive and overlooked cut. His recipe for Confit of Veal Breast is a good place to start. Mary Stuckey reports on the happy return of abalone, and Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

April 17, 2004 (originally aired)
April 30, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Cooking by Hand Apr 23, 2005

Show notes

California Chef Paul Bertolli, author of Cooking by Hand, gives new meaning to "cooking from scratch." He makes his own balsamic vinegar, cures his own salami and hams and grinds his own flours. We'll learn what drives this talented artisan and owner of the award-winning restaurant Oliveto in North Berkley. He leaves us with his recipe for Boiled Chicken with Vinegar Sauce.

The Sterns are surrounded by teddy bears and scented candles as they dine on clam hash and Grape Nuts pudding at Pat's Kountry Kitchen in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

Wine maverick Joshua Wesson has traded hearty winter reds for bargain-priced spring wines from France, and Max Jacobson has an insider's guide to Las Vegas restaurants. We'll check out a new take on dinner theater in New York, and hear about what happened when one company decided to apply their salmon freezing techniques to lobster.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

April 3, 2004 (originally aired)
April 23, 2005 (rebroadcast)

The Botanist and the Vintner Apr 02, 2005

Show notes

British journalist Christy Campbell joins us this week with the story behind the plague that threatened to destroy the world's vineyards. The fascinating account of how scientists working with vintners stopped a near disaster is documented in Mr. Campbell's book, The Botanist and the Vintner: How Wine Was Saved for the World.

The Sterns are half way between Miami and Havana, eating Cuban home-style food at El Siboney in Key West. Josh Wesson suggests wines to pair with smelly cheeses. His picks might surprise you. Chef Jerry Traunfeld is back and he's talking chervil. His recipe for lemony Chervil Avgolemono is light, fresh and perfect for spring. It's from his forthcoming book, The Herbal Kitchen: Cooking with Fragrance and Flavor.

New York food authority Mike Colamecco tells us where to find the best version of that Harlem special, Chicken and Waffles. Food historian and writer Cara De Silva previews the upcoming PBS special, The Meaning of Food, and, as always, the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

April 2, 2005

Sichuan Cooking Mar 26, 2005

Show notes

"Our guest is BBC journalist Fuchsia Dunlop, the first foreigner invited to study at the professional chef's school in Sichuan, China. She fell in love with the spicy, hot, and unique cuisine the Chinese call "audacious cooking," and went on to pen Land of Plenty: A Treasury of Authentic Sichuan Cooking. She leaves us her recipe for Fish-Fragrant Eggplant from the book.

For the Sterns, it's French toast and Red Velvet Cake at Diana's in Charleston, and Lynne reveals her "Southern Fantasy Trip Back Seat Library!" We'll talk international beans and weenies with Anya Von Bremzen. Her recipe for Feijoada Completa is from her new book, The Greatest Dishes!: Around the World in 80 Recipes.

Wine expert Jay McInerney is back offering his opinions on the world of wine. This time he's predicting Sauvignon Blanc will cancel out Chardonnay! In a bow to the current political climate, we'll address one of the issues dividing the nation—the diet wars. And we'll hear from Murph Dawkins who, during a renovation of her St. Paul bar, discovered hidden treasure in the basement!

Broadcast dates for this episode:

March 20, 2004 (originally aired)
March 26, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Cooking Contests Mar 12, 2005

Show notes

This week it's heartbreak, glory, and big money. We're talking cooking contests with Amy Sutherland, author of Cookoff: Recipe Fever in America. If you think the Superbowl is competitive, wait until you hear how serious cooks go for the gold!

The Sterns dine family-style at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House in Savannah, Georgia. Food forager Ari Weinzweig delights chile heads with talk of the great pepper duo from Spain, and leaves us his recipe for Stuffed Piquillo Peppers.

Tea man Bill Waddington takes us to the new center for cutting-edge teas, then we're off to Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery where liquid refreshment isn't limited to humans.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

January 31, 2004 (originally aired)
March 12, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Cooking in Dixie Feb 26, 2005

Show notes

This week it's the story of two Southern cooks from different generations, different places, and different races. Young chef Scott Peacock talks about his special friendship with Edna Lewis, a cook, writer, and octogenarian who is one of our national culinary treasures. Scott leaves us his recipes for Sugared Raspberries and Scott's Chicken Stock from The Gift of Southern Cooking, the book he co-authored with Miss Lewis.

The Sterns are also in Dixie, eating banana splits and dipsy doodles atElliston Place Soda Shop in Nashville. Sally Schneider talks chicories and other aggressive greens that she tames in her recipe for Bitter Greens with Seasonal Fruit and Roasted Nuts. Lynne joins in with Nonna's Sneaky Greens Soup.

New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser, author of the charmingCooking for Mr. Latte, tells of a dinner where courtship, family relations, and culinary intimidation came together. Ginger Duck is what they ate. And we'll hear from a harvester of one of the planet's most complete foods—seaweed!

Broadcast dates for this episode:

March 13, 2004 (originally aired)
February 26, 2005 (rebroadcast)

Winter Grilling Feb 15, 2005

Show notes

Brush the snow off the Weber! Steven Raichlen is back and he's talking winter grilling. Never mind that the wind chill is 10 below. Steven's Green Lightning Shrimp, from his book BBQ USA, will warm you to your toes.

The Sterns get a jolt from the Tabasco Ice Cream at Robin's Restaurant in Henderson, Louisiana. "Bright Lights, Big City" guy Jay McInerney wants us to think Rose Champagne for Valentine's Day. It's what we'll be sipping with Lynne's Double Dark Chocolate Excess.

Tea expert Bill Waddington brings us his guide to pairing tea with food. Monique Truong takes us back to Paris in the 1920's with a peek into a very private dinner, and some marketing folks want us to smell like Bombay Sapphire Gin!

Broadcast dates for this episode:

February 12, 2001 (originally aired)
February 14, 2004 (rebroadcast)
February 15, 2005 (rebroadcast)

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