This Week's Episode
Hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Andrea's Turnip Soup - Andrea Reusing's Key 3, Claudia Kolker on monthly rice, Elaine Sciolino on peas, Sandor Katz on kombucha.
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This week it's a philosophical look at meat. Can you even eat it these days with a clear conscience? Investigative journalist Susan Bourette dug for answers when writing her book Meat: A Love Story.
It's sticky date pudding at Bakesale Betty's in Oakland, California for the Sterns. They're eating theirs off an ironing board!
Our wine guy Joshua Wesson picks the right wine for the right person on your gift list - and some are bargains.
Mike Colameco, our go-to guy for great eats in the Big Apple, has an insider's tips for holidaying in the city.
That one-and-only diva of hospitality and funny gal Amy Sedaris takes on homemade gifts. Her latest book is I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. And Mark Reinfeld, creator of Blossoming Lotus restaurant on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and author of Vegan Fusion World Cuisine, shares a menu and recipes for a vegan holiday feast.
The idea for this tart is borrowed from France. Garlic, greens and onions are spread on puff pastry and gilded with cheese and cream. Although best eaten the day it's made, this tart does reheat well in a pinch. Get the full recipe
Consummate hostess Amy Sedaris shares her classic recipe for holiday entertaining. Get the full recipe
Wondering what to serve your vegan nephew or niece this holiday season? Want to try a delicious, satisfying and hearty vegan feast? Here's a menu from Chef Mark Reinfeld, creator of Blossoming Lotus restaurant on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Visit his Web site at www.veganfusion.com.
The podcast version of Lynne and Sally's new book How to Eat Supper is back with 6 all-new episodes from now through the end of the year. You can subscribe via iTunes, or download the podcast right here from the list below. (right-click the link and select "Save target as" or "Save link as.")
Bakesale Betty's: a great name for a great place. As the name says, it's all about baked goods here. Besides the usual lemon bars, scones, brownies, ginger cookies and banana bread, two specialties stand out. The sticky date pudding loaded with big luxurious dates and served warm with caramel sauce is similar to the Scottish Sticky Toffee Pudding. Then there are Lamingtons, sponge cake bars filled with strawberry jam that are dipped in chocolate and rolled in coconut.
There's a limited café menu offering a fried chicken sandwich (one of the great ones, too) and an egg salad sandwich. Go for the chicken sandwich.
The place is very small with no inside seating. But the sidewalk outside is lined with ironing boards (!) as makeshift tables.
Bakesale Betty's
5098 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA
510-985-1213
www.bakesalebetty.com
Joshua Wesson, our wine guru and Senior Director of Wine, Beer and Spirits at the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, picks wine gift bottles to match the giftee.
For your boss: Go for Estancia Meritage 2005, a California Bordeaux blend "Meritage" in a tall, heavy bottle. In the $25 to $30 range.
For parking attendants, postal workers and your doorman: Look for an Argentinean red or white such as Trapiche Astica Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. About $6.
For wine lovers: Give Hardy's Whiskers Blake Tawny Port NV for about $14.
For curious friends: Go for the next big thing: A Sicilian Nero d'Avola such as Rapitale Campo Reale Nero d'Avola 2005. About $15.
Mike Colameco is our go-to guy for where to eat in the Big Apple. When we asked him for ideas for festive dining during the holiday season he gave us these picks.
Michael Lomonaco's Porterhouse
10 Columbus Circle (at 59th Street), 4th Floor
New York, NY
212-823-9500
Keen's
72 West 36th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York, NY
212-594-6371
Chinatown Brasserie
380 Lafayette Street
New York, NY
212-533-7000
