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March 2008
March 1 - March 8 - March 15 - March 22 - March 29
March 1: Islamic Kitchens | Listen
This week it's a look at the golden age of Islamic food and conquest with guest Charles Perry, historian of Arab cuisine. Mr. Perry tells us that prior to 1400 A.D. there were more cookbooks written in Arabic than in the rest of the world's languages combined. And the seductive food in those old books is the stuff of dreams. Mr. Perry authored the foreword to Medieval Cuisine of the Islamic World: A Concise History with 174 Recipes.
It's clam chowder Rhode Island style for Jane and Michael Stern at Kitchen Little, just over the border in Mystic, Connecticut.
Baking authority Dorie Greenspan talks the one and only Paris macaroon - a local obsession - and leaves us a recipe for Chocolate Macaroons that would do any chocolatier-pātissier proud.
Nicholas Gilman, author of Good Food in Mexico City, has lived and eaten his way through this city for 20 years. He stops by with tips for eating well, from food stalls to fine dining.
Kim Adams, one of seven Detroit area wine crazies who created the website Gang of Pour has a beginner's guide to making your own vinegar from leftover wine.
Professor Henry Petroski chats about the toothpick, the latest ordinary object to catch his attention and the focus of his latest book, The Toothpick: Technology and Culture; and, as always, the phone lines will be open for your calls.
March 8: Climbing the Mango Trees | Listen
This week it's a story of growing up in Delhi, told by Indian food authority and actress Madhur Jaffrey. She came of age at a wrenching time in India's history, in a large family both privileged and conflicted. It's all evoked through Madhur's taste memories and chronicled in her new book, Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India. Her recipe for Everyday Cauliflower is from the book.
The Sterns are in upstate New York, noshing on Sauceburgers, "Michigans," and fries at McSweeney's in Plattsburgh.
Food and Wine magazine's Senior Editor, Ray Isle, stops by to sort through the glut of American Pinot Noir on the market these days and picks the best buys.
Former home-cook-turned-chef at New York City's Prune, Gabrielle Hamilton, tells a story which begins, "It's All Fun and Games Until ..." excerpted from How I Learned to Cook: Culinary Educations from the World's Greatest Chefs. Tune in to find out what happens next.
Judith Hoffberg, creator of the International Edible Books Festival, reveals how you can eat your own words and everyone else's, too, and Lynne takes your calls.
March 15: Bananas and Politics | Listen
This week it's a different look at the seemingly simple and innocent banana. It's played a role in building regimes, toppling governments, partnering with the CIA and even gave Elvis his legendary grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. Our guest is Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World.
The Sterns have found five-star Mexican food at Rosita's in the small Great Plains town of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Sally Schneider is back talking savory ideas for lemons. Try her recipe for Risotto with Dry Sherry and Lemon from her book, The Improvisational Cook.
Reporter Guy Hand tells of the morphing of the tater tot. From the ridiculous to the sublime, it's the story of what happened to those crispy little nuggets that started out as cattle feed in the Pacific Northwest and ended up in trendy bars all across America.
Lynne and Christopher Kimball of Cook's Illustrated fame play another round of Stump the Cook with Chris from St. Louis.
Professor Jessica Harris, the first scholar-in-residence to hold the chair endowed by Ray Charles at Dillard University, talks about the musician's great generosity, how he loved to eat, and his support of African-American culture.
March 22: Queen of Fats | Listen
This week it's a look at the fat we hear so much about—Omega-3—and why it's gone missing from our diet. Science writer Susan Allport joins us with ideas for replacing this endangered "good" fat. She is the author of Queen of Fats: Why Omega-3s Were Removed from the Western Diet and What We Can Do to Replace Them.
The Sterns claim the folks at Skylight Inn Bar-B-Q in Ayden, North Caroline make the world's best and purest whole-hog barbecue. We'll have a report.
Russ Parsons of the Los Angeles Times is back talking the glory of spring peas, including the overlooked fresh fava. He shares a recipe for Sugar Snap Pea Soup with Parmesan Cream from his book How to Pick a Peach.
It's a look at the battle for Barolo with Food & Wine magazine's Lettie Teague. Experts are turning themselves inside out over the controversy. Lettie tells all.
Freelance writer Julie Hauserman has a tale of little nippers and an addiction, and software developer Thunder Parley talks life as the in-house critic for Google's eighteen employee restaurants and cafes.
March 29: Thomas Jefferson on Wine | Listen
Thomas Jefferson was the first American to make a serious study of wine. He not only collected and drank it, he toured vineyards, learned first hand, and took copious notes. John Hailman, author of Jefferson on Wine, spent 30 years studying the writing of a man way ahead of his time. He joins us this week with the fascinating story.
The Sterns take a detour from road food to feast on old time San Francisco seafood at Sam's Grill in the financial district.
Hide the Velveeta and dump that block of mozzarella. The always-opinionated Steve Jenkins is back with new finds that will get us out of a cheese rut.
We have a story of newlyweds that asks an interesting question: can true love overcome Spam? Christopher Kimball plays another round of Stump the Cook, and we'll talk eating and emotion (as in popcorn at the movies.)
Lynne shares recipes for Easter Lamb with Red Wine and Black Olives and Soffritto of Tomato and Fresh Herbs with Penne and, as always, takes your calls.
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