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This week we have the story of Mother Noella Marcellino who found her calling in a Benedictine abbey and the cheese caves of France. The Stern's are at Clanton's in Vinita, OK eating chicken fried steak. Wine wit Josh Wesson introduces us to the delicious and overlooked sparkling red wines of summer. Marian Burros of The New York Times recommends sources for grass fed beef, and attorney Cameron Stracher, author of Dinner with Dad: How I Found My Way Back to the Family Table, tells the tale of what happens when a working dad takes over dinner for a year.

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Black Pepper Honey Steak

Honey is the edge in this recipe. Once cooked, you taste only the barest hint of sweetness, yet honey or sugar opens up all the meat's bold beefiness. Each mouthful delivers fabulous crustiness, and a hum of black pepper. Get the full recipe.

Fried Cucumber with Purple Perilla

This is a truly extraordinary way of cooking cucumber, which brings out a most unexpected side to the vegetable. It is sizzled in oil with garlic and chili, seasoned with soy sauce and vinegar, and then scattered with leaves of purple perilla. Get the full recipe.

Features

Jane and Michael Stern: Clanton's, Vinita, OK.

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Clanton's was one of the first restaurants to open along the Oklahoma stretch of the famed Route 66. In the early days, when the road wasn't paved, there weren't many potential customers driving by. When the owner did see a car approaching, he would run out the front door and bang a pot and pan together to attract attention. There's no need for that today—customers line up for the chicken fried steak and the house specialty: chicken and dressing.

Clanton's
319 East Illinois
Vinita, OK
918-256-9053

Sparkling Reds for Summer with Josh Wesson

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Wine wizard Joshua Wesson says it's the fizzy sparkling reds that really work with summer food. Regrettably, they're often underestimated and overlooked. Josh aims to change that with these picks, including the newly vindicated Lambrusco. Try them with our recipe for Black Pepper Honey Steak.

• Sparkling Shiraz: Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV. About $17.
• Lambrusco: Pederzana Lambrusco Grasparossa 2005. About $17.
• Brachetto: Coppo Brachetto d' Acqui 2006. About $19.
• California Cuvée: Mumm Napa Cuvée R NV. About $30.

Sources for Grass Fed Beef

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New York Times columnist Marion Burros says these are currently the most reliable sources for grass fed beef. Visit the Web sites for where to buy and online ordering information:.

Tallgrass Beef Company
www.tallgrassbeef.com

Laurel Ridge Grass Fed Beef
www.lrgfb.com

US Wellness Meats
www.uswellnessmeats.com

Yukon River King Salmon

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There's a new status salmon on the market that has Copper River King stepping aside. It's Yukon River King salmon and it is so utterly rich and luscious you'll swoon. For more information on this delicacy log on to Kwikpak Fisheries' Web site, www.kwikpakfisheries.com.

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