April 11, 2009: Hog and Hominy

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This week it's soul food, or what some think of as the culinary calling card of African Americans. It's an odd juxtaposition that out of great poverty and struggle came some of America's best eating. Our guest is history professor Frederick Opie, author of Hog and Hominy: Soul Food from Africa to America (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History).

For Jane and Michael Stern it's hot corned beef on rye and potato pancakes at McBob's in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Food & Wine magazine's Ray Isle has good news from the wine world: it's prime time for good cheap wine from around the globe! He'll share some picks.

Spanish chef José Andres, author of Made in Spain: Spanish Dishes for the American Kitchen, considers the glory of the egg. No country finesses that little ovoid like Spain.

Episode Rundown

• Jane and Michael Stern visit McBob's in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  
• Ray Isle's latest Global wine values.
  
• Professor Frederick Douglass Opie and Lynne talk about soul food.
  
• José Andres on the Spanish Way With Eggs.
  
• MacMurray Ranch winemaker Susan Doyle talks about gender differences in the winemaking business.
  

This Week's Recipes

Classic Pizza Margherita

Extra-thin crust and spare toppings mean these pizzas reheat remarkably well, so cooking ahead by several hours is an option. Get the full recipe.

Omelet with White Beans and Green Onions

Catalonians love eggs, especially in the form of tortillas or this hearty omelet. Get the full recipe.

Images from This Episode

Global Wine Values

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Ray Isle, executive wine editor at Food & Wine magazine, says now is prime time for good wines at cheap prices from around the globe. Coastal Chile, Southern France, and Mediterranean Spain are some of the regions to look to for good values and these picks from Ray:

• Coastal Chile: 2008 Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc. About $13.
• Southern France: 2007 Perrin Reserve Côtes du Rhône. About $13.
• Mediterranean Spain: 2007 Wrongo Dongo Monastrell. About $8.

Women Winemakers

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Winemaker Susan Doyle tasted her first good pinot noir at 16 on her family's farm in Tasmania. Evidently, that did it, because in her 20s, she was crushing pinot grapes in California. She returned down under to make wine in Australia ... then Gallo called. Gina Gallo wanted her to take over a new property: MacMurray Ranch. Susan joined us by telephone to talk about a number of things, including gender differences in the winemaking business.

Some of the winemakers Susan spoke about:

• Luisa Ponzi of Ponzi Wines
• Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Wines
• Margo Van Staaveren of Chateau St. Jean