We get a clear-eyed view of the wine world this week with Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl author of Drink This: Wine Made Simple. Chef Patrice Olivon introduces us to the gentle art of the soufflé, and Indian food authority Monica Bhide, author of Modern Spice explains the Indian art of spice blends.
Award winning author Su-Mei Yu introduces us to the ancient Thai tradition of looking at "food as medicine". Her new book is, The Elements of Life, A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions for Healthier Living. Jane and Michael Stern are in Tucson at the Tucson Tamale Company and National Geographic's Keith Bellows brings us their list of "food journeys of a lifetime".
We have some advice for the home cook from chef Thomas Keller—his new book is Ad Hoc at Home. We get advice for throwing a party Southern style from Matt and Ted Lee, authors of Simple, Fresh Southern. Master baker Rose Levy Beranbaum gives us a primer on keeping cakes—her newest book is Rose's Heavenly Cakes. Jane and Michael Stern are at Pico de Gallo in Tucson, AZ.
Chef Douglas Rodriguez joins us with a Cuban take on the Christmas feast. The legendary Paula Wolfert joins us with her book Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking. And we have a tale of a childhood gingerbread house gone mad from Augusten Burroughs, author of You'd Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas. Emeril Lagasse brings us holiday recipes inspired by his mother.
This week Nigella Lawson is stopping by with her new book, Nigella Kitchen, Recipes From the Heart of Home. Food & Wine Magazine's Anthony Giglio introduces us to the bubbly wines of Italy. Sally Schneider, creator of The Improvisational Cook is back with her annual list of homemade food gifts and the Sterns are at Garcia's Kitchen in Albuquerque, NM.
This week it's a show of American iconoclasts starting with winemaker Randall Grahm of Boony Doon Vineyard. His latest book is Been Doon So Long, A Randall Grahm Vinthology. We then meet the true originator of the no-knead bread technique, Jim Lehey of New York City's famed Sullivan Street Bakery. His book is My Bread, The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method.
This week we'll get you ready for the Thanksgiving feast with chef Eric Ripert, author of Avec Eric. Grace Young brings us the very American story of Chinese immigrants in the Mississippi Delta. Her latest book is Stir-Frying To the Sky's Edge. And we get stuffing strategy from the New York Time's Melissa Clark, author of In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite.
We discuss the cuisine of Portugal with David Leite author of The New Portuguese Table. Jane and Michael Stern have found stellar Creamed Chipped Beef at The Breakfast Shoppe in Severna Park, MD, plus we check in with the Hungry Scientist society, and we'll get a few tips for traveling on the cheap from the frugal traveler.
This week we have a look at school lunch programs, from a lunch lady's eyes. Our guest is Jean Ronnei of the St. Paul, MN public schools. Mario Batali addresses the issue of family meals, and the Sterns are eating soul food in the Arizona desert at Mrs. White's Golden Rule. Plus, we get a guide to making simple cured meats at home from Karen Solomon author of Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It and Other Cooking Projects.
What makes man, man and an ape an ape? According to Richard Wrangham it is not one's ability to fashion tool, but rather the ability to cook. He is the author of Catching Fire, How Cooking Made Us Human. The Sterns are in LA eating a French Dip at its origin, Philippe's French Dip Restaurant, and there is a new movement sweeping across America group canning sessions.