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

Latest Episodes:

Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table Aug 24, 2002

Show notes

"We journey to Vietnam this week with our guide Mai Pham, author of Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table. We'll hear about street life, street food, and home cooking as she tells of a country at peace for the first time in a century and of a cuisine that's perhaps the freshest and brightest in all of Southeast Asia. We can't wait to try Mai's recipe for Lemongrass Beef on Cool Noodles.

Back home, Jane and Michael Stern take us to Ralph 'N' Rich's in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where it's like being in an episode of The Sopranos. Travel writer Anya Von Bremzen may generate a bit of controversy when she names the place that has the best pizza in America, and Jon Kalish takes us into the Vermont woods for the Feast of Edacious Souls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 25, 2001 (originally aired)
August 24, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Beer Anthropology Aug 17, 2002

Show notes

We're talking with scholar, explorer, and beer anthropologist Alan Eames, author of The Secret Life of Beer. Alan has tracked down beers in Amazon jungles and Egyptian temples, and survived being held at gunpoint by guerrillas in his quest to discover beer's origins. He believes it's at the heart of nearly every culture and he claims beer is, and always was, about women! Jane and Michael Stern have found cheeseburger heaven in upstate Connecticut. Minimalist cook Mark Bittman has had a life-changing experience with chickpeas. He stops by to tell all and give us his recipe for Chickpea Soup with Sausage.

Reporter Jon Kalish takes us into the food world of mystery writer Kinky Friedman, where we'll hear from one of his Village Irregulars, Mike McGovern, who shares the recipe for Steve Rambam's Jailhouse Chili. Mike is the author of Eat, Drink, and Be Kinky, a delicious companion to Friedman's latest novel, Spanking Watson. Plus, Lynne has a recipe for Brussels Pork Carbonnades, a classic Belgian stew.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

February 12, 2000 (originally aired)
July 28, 2001 (rebroadcast)
August 17, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Politics of Farmers' Markets Aug 10, 2002

Show notes

This week we're taking a look at farmers' markets with award-winning author Deborah Madison, whose latest book is Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America's Farmers' Markets. Deborah traveled America to determine if local markets can save the vanishing family farm and whether farmers can even make a living selling their harvest at these markets. She leaves us with a menu and recipes for a Late Summer Vegetarian Feast, just the thing right now to take advantage of summer's bounty.

Jane and Michael Stern report from Moomer's in Traverse City, Michigan, where they're eating good ice cream amidst happily grazing dairy cows. Our opinionated cheese guy Steve Jenkins talks sheep cheese, and that prince of the picky palate David Rosengarten, taste tests hot dogs. Also, we hear how Team USA took the gold at the World Pastry Competition; and commentator Julie Hauserman muses over the resemblance between Martha Stewart and a Tibetan monk.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 10, 2002

The Ape and the Sushi Master Jul 27, 2002

Show notes

It's a real variety show this week with controversies over apes with Dr. Frans de Waal, one of the world's leading primatologists and author of The Ape and the Sushi Master. Dr. de Waal theorizes that apes are more like us than we think, and it's demonstrated in how they deal with food.

Jane and Michael Stern are eating breakfast old-California style at the Ramona Café. The outrageous Joe Queenan, author of Balsamic Dreams, tells a tale of yuppies, rat hunting, and balsamic vinegar. Jewish-food authority Matthew Goodman reports on Toronto Blueberry Buns, gadget guru Dorie Greenspan evaluates salad spinners, and Lynne has a recipe forGreek Parsley Potatoes.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 18, 2001 (originally aired)
July 27, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Aspen Food and Wine Classic Jun 29, 2002

Show notes

This week we're coming to you from the Food and Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen, Colorado—the annual extravaganza where food and wine lovers mingle with the culinary world's superstars and sample everything from outrageous champagnes to duck-liver lollipops.

Lynne is joined on the stage of the historic Wheeler Opera House by a lineup of luminaries: Dana Cowin, editor of Food and Wine magazine; star chef Mario Batali; food writer Patricia Wells; New York restaurateur Danny Meyer; and the father-daughter team of Jacques and Claudine Pepin.

There's no food and wine event quite like this one, so tune in for a special hour.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

June 29, 2002

The Conquest of Cold Jun 22, 2002

Show notes

The next time you open your refrigerator door, consider that, centuries ago, cold was a mystery—something seemingly without a source, often associated with danger and death, and altogether too fearsome to explore. Tom Shachtman, author of Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold, examines the subject that baffled ancient mankind before it brought conveniences like refrigeration and air conditioning that we take for granted today.

Jane and Michael Stern are in truck-stop heaven at one of their "Top 10 Favorites"—a tiny shack in Smyrna, Delaware, called Helen's Sausage House. The Food Network's David Rosengarten recently taste-tested mail-order barbecue ribs. He'll share his top picks and a recipe for the perfect side—Mustard Slaw. Reporter Scott Haas is on the Belgian beer beat, sorting out the Trappists from the Triples; grocery guru Al Sicherman is back for a supermarket salsa tasting, and Lynne has a recipe for Bellinis.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 7, 2001 (originally aired)
June 22, 2002 (rebroadcast)

American Vintage Jun 15, 2002

Show notes

Just a generation ago American wines were dismissed by Europeans as pedestrian and of little consequence. Thirty years later things changed, and the best French wines began falling behind American varietals in international competitions. Our guest Paul Lukacs, author of American Vintage, traces the rise of American wine and tells the story of the famous blind tasting that started the revolution. From teetotalers to bootleggers, Paul introduces an array of interesting characters who contributed to America becoming a formidable leader in the wine industry.

Jane and Michael Stern are in Mobile, Alabama, hometown of Jimmy Buffet and the Dew Drop Inn, the inspiration for Jimmy's song "Cheeseburger in Paradise." John Willoughby wants us to toss a little fruit on the grill along with the chops and gets us started with his recipe for Grilled Double-Thick Pork Chops with Grilled Peaches and Molasses-Rum Barbecue Sauce. Beer-obsessed Steve Beaumont has the word on pairing beer with spicy food, and seafood authority Jon Rowley introduces us to Mediterranean mussels—they've made their way to Seattle's Puget Sound, and they're prime summertime eating.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

June 22, 2001 (originally aired)
June 15, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Polar Exploration Jun 01, 2002

Show notes

Polar explorer Ann Bancroft, who recently skied 1,700 miles across Antarctica with her partner Liv Arnesen, joins us this week with tales from her third expedition. She also tells of a lavishly outfitted Arctic expedition from 150 years ago and the food that doomed the members to starvation and insanity.

Our road food duo, Jane and Michael Stern, went searching for chocolate turtles and found anatomically correct ones at Turtle Alley in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Cheese expert Steve Jenkins is back with simple and delicious ideas for our kind of summer entertaining—pairing cheese with other easy foods for great eating with no cooking and little work. It's tricks with Asian ingredients from Seattle chef Tom Douglas, who shares recipes for Miso Vinaigrette and Hoisin Barbecue Sauce, and fruit authority David Karp reveals some luscious peach and nectarine discoveries.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

June 8, 2001 (originally aired)
June 1, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Wedding Celebration Food May 25, 2002

Show notes

"This week British writer Elizabeth Luard, author of Sacred Food: Cooking for Spiritual Nourishment, takes a look at the traditional foods different cultures serve at significant life events. We'll focus on food for a wedding celebration as Elizabeth explains why the French favor cream puffs hit with a hammer over cake cut with a knife, why the British avoid greens at a nuptial feast, and why higher is better when it comes to the cake. Her recipe for Soupe de Mariage is pot-au-feu for a wedding party or any time.

The Sterns report from the Pine Club, a quirky adult supper club in Dayton, Ohio. Go for the great aged steaks and bring lots of cash! Dorie Greenspan evaluates skillets, and T.R. Reid, author of The Chip, reports on hot London restaurants. Novelist-turned-wine-writer Jay McInerney has wacky wine and food combos, and Lynne takes your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

May 25, 2002

Botany of Desire May 18, 2002

Show notes

This week it's an unusual take on botany and the issue of control—plants vs. humans—with our guest, journalist and gardener Michael Pollan. In his new book, The Botany of Desire, Michael claims that plants manipulate us by taking advantage of our basic desires. (Starts at 20:41.)

Jane and Michael Stern have found old-world Czech food in Omaha. Travel writer Anya Von Bremzen reports on exotica from one of the ancient food centers of the Middle East. Herb genius and chef Jerry Traunfeld talks sorrel and gives us the perfect recipe for a spring brunch: Smoked Salmon Benedict with Sorrel Sauce. Gourmet magazine editor Ruth Reichl reads from her memoir, Comfort Me With Apples, and Lynne shares her recipe for Roasted Asparagus Potato Salad.

Broadcast dates for this episode: