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We're looking at the education of a wine rookie with Lettie Teague and her student, movie critic Peter Travers. Lettie is the author of Educating Peter, How I Taught a Famous Movie Critic the Difference Between Cabernet and Merlot or How Anybody Can Become and (Almost) Instant Wine Critic. Jane and Michael Stern are in the Mississippi Delta at Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales and we look at the advent of a new dining trend, one-pot meals served in private homes.

Recipes

Fresh Fava Bean Soup

When Fernand Point died in 1955, the noted food writer Joseph Wechsberg wrote that Point was widely "recognized as the master cuisinier of the twentieth century. No one challenged his supremacy." He characterized Point's style as "refined simplicity," describing an intense focus on presenting foods at the peak of their flavors. Point's recipe for fresh fava bean soup is my favorite example of his "refined simplicity," and this is the recipe in its entirety. Get the full recipe.

Roasted Asparagus Potato Salad

Try this delicious dish whenever the opportunity for a picnic strikes. Much of it can be prepared ahead, and it's a particularly good recipe for mid to late spring when fresh local asparagus is at it's peak in markets. Get the full recipe.

Features

Jane and Michael Stern

Listen

Rhoda's is a small café that could be called a mix of Mexican-Meets-Soul-Food. Rhoda runs the place herself and says she spends half her time cooking and half praying

Stories vary about how tamales became so popular in this region but, whatever the reason, Rhoda's are the best. Your order is served in a coffee can, 12 tamales per can, without eating utensils! You simply open up the tamale and use a saltine cracker to scoop out the delicious filling. Jane says it's perfect.

Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales
714 Saint Mary Street
Lake Village, AR
870-265-3108

The Final Exam: Peter's Wine Quiz

Can you turn someone who is nearly clueless into an instant wine expert? Food & Wine magazine's Lettie Teague thought you could and set out to prove it with her student, famous film critic Peter Travers of Rolling Stone. We'll hear Lettie's side then Peter weighs in with a rebuttal. Take a look at The Final Exam: Peter's Wine Quiz to find out how much you know!

Wasabi

Real Wasabi, LLC is a company that grows, imports and manufacturers products made from authentic Wasabi Japonica. Visit the company's Web site, www.realwasabi.com, for information on the science, lore and history of authentic wasabi, as well as where to purchase their products (including online).

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