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

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People Who Taste Shapes Oct 18, 2003

Show notes

It may occur in 1 in 200 people, it runs in families, women have it more than men, and those with it probably have a superior memory. It's synesthesia, and research neurologist Dr. Richard Cytowic will explain this fascinating peculiarity in the brain that results in the involuntary joining of two or more senses. If you think a slice of apple pie tastes like an octagon, tune in for some explanations.

Jane and Michael Stern taste the art of the soda jerk at Edgar's Soda Fountain in Elk Point, South Dakota. The folks at Cook's Illustrated magazine taste test tortilla chips, and reporter Scott Haas has a lesson in mixology from the bartender at the Hemingway Bar in the oh-so-chic Ritz Paris. Tea merchant Bill Waddington returns to talk flushes, the key to buying premium tea while saving money. We'll get the low-down on the first national standards for organic products. And Lynne shares her recipe for Chicken in Chile, Garlic and Vinegar Sauce, a make-ahead dish that's perfect for a fall supper.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

October 12, 2002 (originally aired)
October 18, 2003 (rebroadcast)

Cultural History of Chocolate Sep 27, 2003

Show notes

For some of us, a bit of fine, luxurious chocolate can soothe our stress or brighten a dreary day. But how many of us know that our Godiva bar started out as a goopy white substance from the insides of an ugly cacao pod? Maricel Presilla, author of The New Taste of Chocolate: A Cultural and Natural History of Cacao, shares some history and cultural lore about our antidote of choice and leaves us with two recipes: Kekehi Cacao-Chile Balls and Maya-Mediterranean Chocolate Rice Pudding.

Jane and Michael Stern are sampling smoked eel and other delicacies from The Eel Man of the Delaware Valley; and winemaker Randall Graham of Bonny Doon Vineyards talks "wine of the prostitute" and Strawberry Fizz. Cheese expert Steve Jenkins offers alternatives to Brie; and we'll go to New Orleans for the return of a Sunday classic.

We'll hear how an adult-ed class teamed up with salsa to change the lives of a group of Mexican women in California's Anderson Valley. The "salsa ladies" collectively wrote Secrets of Salsa: A Bilingual Cookbook to tell their inspiring story and share recipes like Potato and Carrot Salsa.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

September 28, 2002 (originally aired)
September 27, 2003 (rebroadcast)

The Politics of Food Aug 23, 2003

Show notes

This week we're looking at where our health and nutrition information comes from with Dr. Marion Nestle, professor and chair of New York University's Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. Dr. Nestle has served as nutrition advisor to the USDA and the FDA and is the author of Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health. She suggests some Internet sites that offer help in determining who is funding the health and nutrition research we hear about in the news.

It's conch chowder and picadillo for Jane and Michael Stern at Dennis Pharmacy Luncheonette in Key West, Florida. Joshua Wesson reveals true lies behind those wine rules, and wants us to try low oak Chardonnays that pair well with a variety of foods.

Chef Jerry Traunfeld cooks with lavender and has a recipe for Potatoes with Lavender and Rosemary. Our always-hungry reporter Scott Haas lets his American teenagers loose at Paris' high altar of serious cuisine; we'll hear from the woman who initiated the ban on soda in Los Angeles schools; and Lynne shares her recipe for Tomato-Mozzarella Salad with Spiked Pine Nuts and Basil.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 31, 2002 (originally aired)
August 23, 2003 (rebroadcast)

The Turmeric Trail Jul 19, 2003

Show notes

This week it's an antidote to the dog days of summer from Raghavan Iyer, a native of Bombay and author of The Turmeric Trail: Recipes and Memories from an Indian Childhood. Raghavan knows it's all about what you eat. He'll share a cooling menu that includes Corn with Roasted Chiles and Coconut Milk, Chaat, and Green Papaya Salad, all inspired by Bombay street food.

Jane and Michael Stern have a big night out at Archie's Waeside, a classic Midwest supper club in Le Mars, Iowa. Winemaker Randall Graham of Boony Doon Vineyards says riesling, long considered nerdy if not ignored altogether, is the wine to pair with nearly everything we're eating right now. Chef Jerry Traunfeld offers a simple recipe for Melon with Tarragon featuring that finicky prima donna of the herb world. We hear about a novel use for succulent ripe tomatoes from the famed French Laundry Restaurant, and the second half of the show is open to your phone calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 3, 2002 (originally aired)
July 19, 2003 (rebroadcast)

Restaurant Confidential Jul 12, 2003

Show notes

This week Jayne Hurley, co-author of Restaurant Confidential and senior nutritionist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, joins us for talk about the best and the worst fast-food picks. We'll learn why Burger King is out and Wendy's is in when it comes to healthy choices for eating on the run. And let's face it: Many of us occasionally do the drive-through.

Jane and Michael Stern are eating fast food at Hamburger Inn in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Beer aficionado Steven Beaumont wants us to try his favorite summer drink: spicy Belgian white beers. Kitchen designer and cook Deborah Krasner has great Web food finds; reporter Scott Haas is making Brazilian cocktails in Rio; and you'll learn why your cat is finicky, while your dog eats anything.

Lynne's Belgian Tartine is just the thing to pair with those white beers, and we have a refreshing summer wine cooler called World Cup Cup.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 20, 2002 (originally aired)
July 12, 2003 (rebroadcast)

Entertaining with Nora Ephron Jun 21, 2003

Show notes

Film director, novelist, and playwright Nora Ephron, whose latest book is Crazy Salad, is a woman who loves to cook and have friends in to eat. Everyone has a great time at her house and her dinner parties are legendary. She'll tell us how she stopped worrying, broke a bunch of rules, and learned to enjoy entertaining.

It's mini hot dogs, not lobster, for Jane and Michael Stern at Flo's on the coast of Maine.

Travel & Leisure magazine's Anya Von Bremzen has a connoisseur's guide to authentic paella and shares arecipe and tips from her forthcoming book. We have mail-order sources for specialty rice, the key ingredient in the classic Spanish dish. David Rosengarten picks the best ice creams in America, we'll hear from a Wisconsin man who's been making butter for over 40 years, and Lynne has a menu for summer entertaining.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 6, 2002 (originally aired)
June 21, 2003 (rebroadcast)

Dr. Andrew Weil Jun 14, 2003

Show notes

Lynne talks with Dr. Andrew Weil, the maverick medical doctor who's become a renowned authority on integrated healing. He shares three simple things we can all do to be healthier, along with a recipe for Mexican Chicken Soup from his latest book, The Healthy Kitchen: Recipes for a Better Body, Life and Spirit.

For balance, Jane and Michael Stern tuck into chicken fried steak and scones at Mom's Cafe in Salina, Utah.

Joshua Wesson talks wine cocktails and gives us recipes for Sangria and White Sangria, both perfect for summer sipping.

Gourmet magazine's John Willoughby introduces us to some new Latin vegetables, one of which is in his recipe for Hobo Pack of Yuca, Corn, and Tomatoes from his latest book, Let the Flames Begin.

We hear from the man who blended hot chiles with cold juices to come up with Loco Soda. And Lynne reviews her favorite bargain-priced olive oils and an outstanding premium oil from New Zealand.

For information on the glycemic index of foods, check these Web sites:

www.mendosa.com

www.diabetesnet.com

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 13, 2002 (originally aired)
June 14, 2003 (rebroadcast)

Buffalo for the Broken Heart May 31, 2003

Show notes

This week it's a saga of money, ecology and a struggle to survive on the South Dakota prairie. Dan O'Brien, author of the autobiographical Buffalo for the Broken Heart, is a cattle rancher who asked some difficult questions and found some unexpected answers. One led to the restoration of life to his Black Hills ranch.

Jane and Michael Stern recently returned from South Dakota where they found irresistible homemade potato chips. Savored right from the bag or crumbled atop a comforting Perfect Tuna Casserole, one is never enough.

Kitchen designer Deborah Krasner stops by to explain why she believes proper seating is the key to kitchen happiness.

From her book A Thousand Days in Venice, American journalist, chef and woman in love Marlena de Blasi tells the story of leaving her native Saint Louis to follow her Italian fiancé to Venice. There she prepared for her wedding and embarked on a romantic journey of discovery. Fresh Pasta with Roasted Walnut Sauce is a dish from her early days with the man who is now her husband.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

June 8, 2002 (originally aired)
May 31, 2003 (rebroadcast)

Extreme Grilling May 17, 2003

Show notes

French chef-turned-barbecue expert Steven Raichlen is back with some off-the-wall grilling techniques from his new book Beer-Can Chicken. Whether it's in a leaf or in the coals, on a stick or under a brick, Steve inspires us to fire up the grill and start cooking. His recipe for Basic Beer-Can Chicken gets us started.

Jane and Michael Stern tell of the sublime hand-formed biscuits at Mamie's in Conyers, Georgia, and Lynne shares her favorite biscuit recipe—Shirley Corriher's Touch-of-Grace Biscuits. Beer expert Steve Beaumont wants us to try cask ale; and novelist Jim Crace has a tale of the psychology ofcrabapples. Lynne's trivia segment concerns a ship and rye crackers, and we'll check in with the folks at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watchto learn what's on the "avoid" list.

Broadcast dates for this episode: