Download Audio (mp3) It's time to spice things up a bit! On today's Chef's Table we'll follow our own spice trail. We begin with the history of three influential spice cities. Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi reveals how to layer lots of flavors. Plus her secrets for staying model thin and still eat those celebrity chef meals. Later, learn how to make amazingly light vegan cupcakes. Discover chocolate with Clay Gordon, and the world's most expensive coffee. And much more!
Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World and Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero
Discover Chocolate: Ultimate Guide To Buying, Tasting, And Enjoying Fine Chocolate by Clay Gordon
Melissa's Great Book Of Produce: Everything You Need To Know About Fresh Fruits And Vegetables by Cathy Thomas
In Bad Taste: The Adventures And Science Behind Food Delicacies by Dr. Massimo Marcone
First Big Crush: The Down And Dirty On Making Great Wine In The Down Under by Eric Arnold
French Women Don't Diet and French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes, and Pleasure by Mirelle Guiliano
Everything I Ate by Tucker Shaw
01/10/09
Download Audio (mp3) Got a lot of frequent flyer miles? Guess what, probably not as much as your food does! Today, the average meal travels thousands of miles to our table. On today's show we're talking transportation... from our food to our personal travels. We begin with shipping containers and our moveable feast. A couple talks about their year eating locally. Later we take a train ride in India. We'll also talk to a neuroscientist about the tricks of memory and Proust's famous madeleines. Plus potluck pointers, Jessica Harris on the ferry rides of her childhood, and a cab driver's memoir.
Moveable Feasts: From Ancient Rome To The 21st Century
by Sarah Murray
Hack: How I Stopped Worrying About What To Do With My Life And Started Driving A Yellow Cab
by Melissa Plaut
Crowd Pleasing Potluck
by Francine Halvorsen
Eating India: An Odyssey Into The Food And Culture Of The Land Of Spices
by Chitra Banerji
Proust Was A Neuroscientist
by Jonah Lehrer
Plenty: One Man, One Woman And A Raucous Year Of Eating Locally
by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon
The Martha's Vineyard Table
by Jessica Harris
01/17/09
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Maryland has the Crabcake, Buffalo its Beef on Weck, and where would New Orleans be without its Po'Boys? While many will argue where to get the best Cheesesteak, there's no question this sandwich is the iconic food of Philadelphia. We'll discover the history... and some controversy on the Cheesesteak sandwich. Later, we'll find out what one chef would cook for the Obama's in the Whitehouse. And, you think politics and dinner don't mix? We've got the Axis of Evil And Other Irritating States Dinner Party Approach to International Relations. Plus finding great Italian wine for not alot of bucks, artisan cheeses and Sheila Lukins on her favorite foods.
The Hamburger" and Meat Me In Manhattan: A Carnivore's Guide to New York
by Josh Ozersky
The Ecco Guide To The Best Wines Of Italy
Ian D'agata
Atlas Of American Artisan Cheese
by Jeff Roberts
Ten: All the Foods We Love And Ten Recipes For Each
by Sheila Lukins
Silver Palate Cookbook 25th Anniversary Edition
by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins
The Kitchen Diva! The New African-American Kitchen
by Angela Shelf Medearis
Cuisines of the Axis of Evil And Other Irritating States: A Dinner Party Approach To International Relations
by Chris Fair
01/24/09
Download Audio (mp3) The Superbowl is practically a national holiday. Even though Chef Jim Coleman is mourning Philadelphia Eagles playoff loss, he's still ready to plan that spectacular game day party. Steve Raichlen provides some ultimate tips for football worthy grilling and barbecuing - including the poke test for testing the doneness of steaks. WineLibrarytv's Gary Vaynerchuk finds tailgating wines. Later, walk down the cereal aisle of any supermarket and count how many choices there are... even for the same cereal. Neuro-science writer Jonah Lehrer explains what happens in our brains when we are faced with decisions. Plus, we'll also get ready to celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Ox and much more.
Gary Vaynerchuck, host of winelibrarytv.com and die hard NY Jets fan offers these wine picks for your Superbowl party:
Burgers: Gary suggests Portuguese wines from the Douro region for your beefy burgers. They are under 10 or 12 bones, easy to drink in a party setting and bring serious thunder.
Chicken Wings: If you're going to have anything spicy like wings, Gary recommends a crisp white Albarino from Spain. This wine is inexpensive and generally has the acidity to cut through some of the heat from hot wings, while also complimenting the flavors.
Sausages and Peppers: If you've got a serious rooting interest in the game, be it emotional or financial, you're going to want some bubbly around. For this, Gary picks a Cava from Spain or a Prosecco from Italy. These choices will ensure you'll have delicious sparkling wine, without overpaying for the French "names" that are as overrated as the Buffalo Bills turned out to be!
This week's featured books:
How We Decide
by Jonah Lehrer
Visit Jonah Leher's blog, The Frontal Cortex
Barbecue Bible
by Steve Raichlen
Essentials Of Asian Cuisine: Fundamentals And Favorite Recipes
by Corrine Trang
Beyond The Great Wall
by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duiguid
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles
Jennie 8 Lee
Gary Vaynerchuk's 101 Wines: Guaranteed to Inspire, Delight, and Bring Thunder to Your World
by Gary Vaynerchuk
01/31/09
Download Audio (mp3) Let's take a little blast into past. On today's show we'll revisit some favorite interviews. Remember Molto Mario when he had just one little restaurant in Greenwich Village? We'll hear some early Rachel Ray, plus chat with Jeramiah Tower and Rozanne Gold. Also, recalling a trip to Italy. And Annemarie Colbin begins our ten year love affair with food and aphrodisiacs.
Maryland has the Crabcake, Buffalo its Beef on Weck, and where would New Orleans be without its Po'Boys? While many will argue where to get the best Cheesesteak, there's no question this sandwich is the iconic food of Philadelphia. We'll discover the history... and some controversy on the Cheesesteak sandwich. Later, we'll find out what one chef would cook for the Obama's in the Whitehouse. And, you think politics and dinner don't mix? We've got the Axis of Evil And Other Irritating States Dinner Party Approach to International Relations. Plus finding great Italian wine for not alot of bucks, artisan cheeses and Sheila Lukins on her favorite foods.