Joy of Cooking, first self-published in 1931 by Irma Rombauer, became an American classic and perennial best-seller, beloved by generations of cooks for its reliability and wealth of basic information. The recently published sixth revision—the first in 22 years— continues the tradition, but with improved organization, revisions that reflect changes in eating habits since the mid-'70s, and decidedly more flair. Maria Guarnaschelli, vice president and senior editor at Scribner, talks about what's new and what remained the same in the 1997 edition. Try the three versions of tuna noodle casserole and see which you like best. Jane and Michael Stern have been to Texas where they sampled a hefty burger and are back to tell us about it. Stumpmaster and grocery guru Al Sicherman, discusses tamarind—an ingredient showing up in a surprising number of refrigerators these days—and Lynne takes your calls.
Just in case you're lucky enough to be heading to London this summer, we've a conversation with two legendary London restaurateurs, Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers of the River Cafe. London is quickly becoming the epicenter of gastronomy and Ruth and Rose share their picks. Jane and Michael Stern take us to the Yellowstone Drugstore in Shoshoni, Wyoming.
It's a look at our love affair with noodles with Nina Simmonds, author of Asian Noodles. Nina shares a recipe for rainbow peanut noodles.. perfect for the start of picnic season. Jane and Michael Stern talk country hams, writer Tom McNamee takes us out for Chinese with some rock 'n' rollers at the Happy Garden Restaurant, and grocery guru Al Sicherman gives us his take on what's up in the grocery aisle.
Dr. Linda Bartoshuk, professor in the departments of surgery and psychology at Yale University Medical School and a leading researcher in sensory science and taste, will be with us to explain why our taste buds are the real culprit in our battle with the bulge. Jane and Michael Stern said bah-humbug to diets and New Year's resolutions and have taken off to sample some true Florida cuisine in sunny Key West; Karen from Ohio tries to Stump the Cook; and Lynne tells us how to register comments on the USDA's proposed guidelines for organic food and takes your calls.
We're foraging for mushrooms this week with mycologist Alan Bessett, author of Taming the Wild Mushroom. While some of us may venture into our local woods, most of us do our foraging in the marketplace. The selection of exotic mushrooms has exploded in the local grocery—we thought it time for a guide. Our road-food experts, Jane and Michael Stern, take us to Kentucky—not for the Derby, but for a local specialty, burgoo, and grocery guru Al Sicherman takes us back to an American basic—Cream of Mushroom Soup.
We're talking pow wows, green onion dinners, naming ceremonies, and legends this week with E. Barrie Kavasch, a descendant of Pocahontas, food historian, and author of Enduring Harvests: Native American Foods and Festivals for Every Season. Barrie suggests some travel guides to Native American festivals and you'll want to try her recipes for glacial mists cooler and Fiesta del Sol cookies. We'll visit a Chicago restaurant where the chef includes traditional American Indian food on the menu, and Jane and Michael Stern report on the quintessential spice shop in Fort Worth. Our fruit expert, David Karp, "tells all" about one of Lynne's favorites—loquats; Courtney in Ohio tries to Stump the Cook and, as always, the lines will be open for your calls.
We're featuring the food and folkways of the Amish and Mennonites with Marcia Adams, author of New Recipes from Quilt Country: More Food & Folkways from the Amish & Mennonites. Marcia tells us where to go and how to behave when visiting one of their settlements and shares a recipe for shoofly pie. Jane and Michael Stern report in from Idaho with a tip on where to find an exceptional Mexican meal; Stuart Stevens, author of Feeding Frenzy: Across Europe in Search of the Perfect Meal, tells us how to best spend time in Paris; and Lynne shares some of her favorite food mail-order catalogs and an interesting read.
We're taking a look at the art and culinary history of the sausage with Bruce Aidells, author of Flying Sausages and the man responsible for the gourmet sausage craze. You'll want to try Bruce's recipe for thai chicken and turkey sausage. Jane and Michael Stern talk swinging beef—a favorite of Michael's and a food he says "we need euphemisms for." Cooler weather has inspired our grocery guru, Al Sicherman, to think heartier, more robust foods—like sauerkraut—and a Portland, Oregon, listener shares her recipe for a chocolate cake containing—you guessed it—sauerkraut!
Internationally renowned architect Adam Tihany, the creative genius behind New York's Le Cirque and Spago in Las Vegas and Mexico City, reflects upon the specialized art of restaurant design. There's a reason we don't linger over a cup of coffee at McDonalds! Jane and Michael Stern wax a bit lyrical about caramel apples; Deborah Krasner, author of Kitchens for Cooks, talks commercial-style ranges for home cooks; Lynne gives tips for stocking a pantry that will help you get dinner on the table in minutes, and shares her recipe for fresh Asian noodle salad.
We'll take a look at the Southeast Lowcountry this week with John Martin Taylor, author of Hoppin' John's Charleston, Beaufort & Savannah: Dining at Home in the Lowcountry, who shares his recipe for shrimp creole; Jane and Michael Stern go to the city of big shoulders—Chicago —to talk hot dogs; and fish and seafood authority, Mark Bittman, gives us tips for buying and cooking American's favorite seafood—shrimp.