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

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Dining in Spain Oct 23, 2004

Show notes

Spain is where to go now to experience the latest culinary evolution. In restaurants where the country's top young chefs preside over the kitchen, new meaning is given to "cutting edge," and the food looks and tastes like nowhere else. Global restaurant critic Anya Von Bremzen has been tracking the developments for a decade and joins us with a report. Her recipe for Paella Valenciana comes from her new book The Greatest Dishes!: Around the World in 80 Recipes to be published in 2004.

Jane and Michael Stern are eating turtles and the "kitchen sink" at Bridgewater Chocolate in Brookfield, Connecticut. Lynne sticks to the theme with a recipe for Chocolate Coins—tiny, intensely flavored cookies to nibble with espresso or vanilla ice cream. Equipment pro Dorie Greenspan has the scoop on new-age pressure cookers. The good news is they're no longer frightening. Beer man Steven Beaumont has the low-down on Czech lagers; and we'll revisit Dan O'Brien, a writer and rancher who's single handedly trying to balance the ecology on America's prairies. Lynne talks with Emeril Lagasse, the television superstar who's been kicking it up a notch for the last decade. His new book From Emeril's Kitchen includes his yummy recipe for Roasted Red Onions Stuffed with Thyme-Mascarpone Mousse.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

October 11, 2003 (originally aired)
October 23, 2004 (rebroadcast)

Excellent Kitchen Adventures Oct 16, 2004

Show notes

Renowned Mexican chef Rick Bayless and his daughter Lanie join us this week with a multigenerational take on food and cooking. Their book, Rick and Lanie's Excellent Kitchen Adventures, is hot off the press. The recipes, like Moroccan Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, reflect their worldwide travels.

For the Sterns, it's a classic Wisconsin fish fry at Klinger's East in Milwaukee. Chris Kimball of Cook's Illustrated is back with what we need to know about the new coffeemakers. Bob Duskis, co-founder of Six Degrees Records, wants us rockin' in the kitchen with music to cook by, and Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, pairs favorite wines with reality TV shows.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

October 16, 2004

Scandinavian Cooking Sep 18, 2004

Show notes

Some of the world's most intriguing cooking comes from a place where the living hasn't always been easy. It's Scandinavia, and Norwegian food authority Andreas Viestad, author of Kitchen Light, takes us there. He shares his recipes for Spicy Gravlaks with Aquavit and an interesting "Mock" Aquavit.

The Sterns are knocking back oyster shooters with oyster burger chasers at Pacific Oyster in Bay City, Oregon.

Culinary forager Ari Weinzweig reveals the secret to selecting the best salami and ham and gives us his recipe for Spanish Salad with Oranges and Olive Oil. Ari's new book, Zingerman's Guide to Good Eating, hits bookstores soon.

The always original Calvin Trillin expounds on the wine ways of Kansas City and a little-known bond linking Mogen David with Chateau Lafite.

Christopher Kimball, editor and publisher of Cook's Illustrated magazine, tells us how to avoid dry, tasteless chicken breasts. His delicious recipe for Pan-Roasted Chicken with Mustard and Sherryillustrates his technique. Christopher's latest book is The Kitchen Detective: A Culinary Sleuth Solves Common Cooking Mysteries with 150 Foolproof Recipes.

We'll learn how to make our own garlic powder from Herrick Kimball, author of The Complete Guide to Making Great Garlic Powder, and the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

September 13, 2003 (originally aired)
September 18, 2004 (rebroadcast)

A History of Candy Sep 04, 2004

Show notes

This week it's all about sweets. We'll take a look at the great candy civilizations—ancient India and Persia—and their contribution to our modern day sweet tooth. Our guest is Tim Richardson, author of Sweets: A History of Candy.

The Sterns are in Charlevoix, Michigan where Jane says she ate the pancake of her life at Juilleret's.

Cook and author Sally Schneider was inspired by Alice B. Toklas and the honey bee to create a luscious Nougat Ice Cream. Then screenwriter Bix Skahill brings us his unique take on sugar and family dysfunction.

Food critic David Rosengarten returns with his picks of hard ciders, and Lynne talks with Arnold Carbone, head of what they call "Bizarre and D" and Ben & Jerry's.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

September 6, 2003 (originally aired)
September 4, 2004 (rebroadcast)

Food, Sex, and Foraging Aug 28, 2004

Show notes

This week it's food and the sexes. Naturalist Susan Allport, author of Primal Feast, examines how gender shapes food behavior for humans and other animals. It's an interesting take on food, foraging, and sex in the animal world.

The Sterns are into Hot Truck, a deeply local specialty of Ithaca, New York. Wine maverick Josh Wesson has advice for wines to drink with sweet corn. Dorie Greenspan checks out the best gadgets for saving leftover wine.

We'll hear the story of a local hero and his giant tomato, and Dave Hirschkop, author of Crazy from the Heat, tells us about his chili sauce creation that was so hot it was banned from the fiery food show.

It's tomato season, the time of year that's sheer bliss for Lynne. She's been in the kitchen concocting a Big Tomato Sweet-Sour Salad and "Drippy" Mexican Sweet Corn.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 16, 2003 (originally aired)
August 28, 2004 (rebroadcast)

Two Valleys Aug 14, 2004

Show notes

This week it's class warfare in the California wine country. We'll take a look at growth and development versus local culture as new money from the Silicon Valley threatens what's left of the rural lifestyle in the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Our guest is Alan Deutschman, author of A Tale of Two Valleys: Wine, Wealth and the Battle for the Good Life in Napa and Sonoma.

Avoiding the fray, Jane and Michael Stern are in South Carolina eating Jesus crabs and flounder atFishnet Seafood on Johns Island.

Sally Schneider, author of A New Way to Cook, has been fiddling with fresh soybeans. Her recipe for Succotash is a delicious result. Then Jill Gusman, co-author of Vegetables from the Sea, introduces us to the unfamiliar realm of sea greens. Her recipe for Sea Vegetable Caesar Salad is a good way to start experimenting with veggies from the deep.

We have the scoop on the luscious argan oil from Morocco, and, as always, Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 9, 2003 (originally aired)
August 14, 2004 (rebroadcast)

Salt: The Grain of Life Jul 31, 2004

Show notes

It seems that salt has taken on a life of its own these days, now that we can choose the sea we want it from and even the color. We'll take a look at this "white gold" and its relationship to power in America with our guest, Professor Pierre Laszlo, author of Salt: Grain of Life.

The Sterns are eating classic regional fare at Harry Caray's, the funky Chicago restaurant founded by the renowned broadcaster known as "the voice of the Chicago Cubs." Our beer guy, Steve Beaumont, suggests a Mid-Atlantic road trip based loosely on the theme ""follow the brew."" And Lynne reveals some of her favorite makers of Prosecco.

David Rosengarten talks the flavors of India and its world-class fare that, regrettably, we all but ignore. He'll share sources for some of his favorite products and Indian pantry staples. Try David's recipe for Pilau Rice with Saffron and Fresh Curry Leaves and Sarson Da Saag from The Turmeric Trail by Raghavan Iyer. You might become a fan of this rich and varied cuisine.

Finally, we'll hear the story of an American who tried to get a family recipe from her East Indian fiancé's clan and ended up with more family than recipe.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 2, 2003 (originally aired)
July 31, 2004 (rebroadcast)

Easy Summer Entertaining Jul 03, 2004

Show notes

This week it's a guide to easy summer entertaining with Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmetmagazine. Ruth is an expert hostess and former caterer who believes it's all about beginnings and endings. She leaves us with the only menu we'll need for a season of successful parties: A Lazy Front Porch Supper.

Jim's B-B-Q Chicken in Candor, New York, is one of the Sterns' latest finds. They say it's like no other. For Steve Jenkins, summer entertaining means cheese suppers. There's no cooking and the accompaniments are fantastic.

Chef Jerry Traunfeld wants us to harvest those nasturtiums and pickle them like capers. Learn how with his recipe for Nasturtium Capers. British storyteller Jim Crace has an unusual way of celebrating birthdays that involves spitting, and we'll take a look at solar cooking with Jennifer Barker.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 5, 2003 (originally aired)
July 3, 2004 (rebroadcast)

The Joys of Eating Vegetarian Jun 26, 2004

Show notes

This week it's the story behind Greens, the first eatery to turn vegetables into serious, fabulous eating. Today, some twenty years later, the San Francisco restaurant founded by a group of Buddhists is still going strong. Lynne talks with Chef Annie Somerville, the guiding force behind this American classic and author of Everyday Greens: Home Cooking from Greens, the Celebrated Vegetarian Restaurant. Fire up your grill and try Annie's recipe for Grilled Fingerling Potato Salad with Corn and Cherry Tomatoes.

On the other hand, the seductive aroma of sausages moved the Sterns to follow their noses to Otto's Sausage Kitchen and Meat Market in Portland, Oregon.

Dorie Greenspan returns with a guide to chips, chunks, and planks for smoking your supper. Dorie's charming new book, Paris Sweets: Great Desserts from the City's Best Pastry Shops, transports you to the City of Light without leaving home.

We'll hear a fictional tale about the Vietnamese cook to Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein as Monique Truong reads from her novel, The Book of Salt.

Finally, we've news from a Minnesota ethanol plant that's taken its place among the world's great producers of premium vodka.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 26, 2003 (originally aired)
June 26, 2004 (rebroadcast)

California Cuisine Jun 19, 2004

Show notes

"We're taking a look at the groundbreaking culinary revolution that blasted onto the scene in the 1970's, sending foodies of that era into fits of rapture. It was called California Cuisine and it was so new, so hot, and so chic. Our guest, California chef Jeremiah Tower, was front and center in the movement that put fresh-from-the-field, locally grown food onto restaurant dinner plates and, ultimately, our tables at home. His new book, California Dish is a memoir of that moment in time. Lynne did some reminiscing herself and came up with her homage to California Cuisine: Garlic Bread, Green Bean and Tomato Salad.

The Sterns are eating brisket and trying to ignore the glaring bulldog at Sugar's in Velarde, New Mexico. Cheesemonger Steve Jenkins has a curious diner's guide to sheep cheese, and Lynne shares a favorite recipe for Wilted Greens and Sheep Cheese Bruschetta. Chinese food expert Bik Ng leads reporter Scott Haas into the world of dim sum, and we'll hear the story of how Arnie, the Doughnut took charge of his life.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

September 20, 2003 (originally aired)
June 19, 2004 (rebroadcast)

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