Wednesday December 29, 2010
Molly O'Neill spent ten years collecting recipes and stories across America. Her book, One Big Table, A Portrait of American Cooking is the result of her journey. It's a tribute to the home cook, a history book, a reference, a tome of sorts....Molly suggests that it's a well-balanced portrait of American cooking. I can't wait to make some of the recipes!
Wednesday December 22, 2010
How does a Jewish boy from Cambridge, MA end up as the head cheese maker at Shelburne Farms? Simple, he had a keen interest in environmental studies and took a job working on a farm when he was 18 years old. A few more stints on some farms, a degree in dairy farming from the University of Vermont and a summer apprenticeship at Shelburne Farms and the rest is history.
Nat shares his memories of nudel kugel, brisket and other jewish fare but he was smart enough to get the secret ingredient (aka TIP) from his Nana on how to make his kugel taste likes hers - fresh squeezed orange juice!!
The interview is fun and informative. Nat defines cheddar - it's a place, a cheese and a process. The pasture to palate, sustainable farming that is practiced at Shelburne Farms is inspiring. Nat also shared some of his favorite recipes from the Cooking with Shelburne Farms, Food and Stories from Vermont. I can't wait to make the Shepherd Pie!! Shelburne Farms is well worth the visit and check out the cheesemaking and Nat at work, cheddaring!! Can't wait to go back in the spring!! Thank you Nat!
Listen to the interview here.
Wednesday December 15, 2010
Elizabeth Bard is an American journalist who happened to fall in love with a frenchman and his cuisine. In her memoir, Lunch in Paris, A Love Story with Recipes, Elizabeth shares her love and culinary journey by interspersing recipes among and as her memories. What more can I ask for - another posterchild for Heirloom Meals. She is the essence of my tagline: Savoring Yesterday's Traditions Today where she holds onto a key link to her past with her Mom's, Dad's, grandmother's, and Aunt's recipes with a nod to the future as she becomes immersed in french cooking and culture. And in particular through her french husband's concotions and his family's recipes. An absolute treasure of a book and fantastic interview!! Thank you Elizabeth.
Wednesday December 01, 2010
Sometimes you meet someone, even if it's on the radio that you feel you've known your entire life!! Meet Diane Perry Gardner. Truly, she a kindred spirit!! Diane bridges her move from South Carolina to Madison, CT with her love of food, family and cooking. And she did it by writing cookbooks - first very local with "What's Cooking Madison?", then she branched out to to the whole state with "What's Cooking Connecticut Shoreline?" and then spread her wings further with her recent book, "What's Cooking in New England" which is a collection of tried and true recipes from real people that Diane has tested and photographed. Check it out - you can even find some of Diane's southern specialties!! www.whatscookinginnewengland.com
I know we need a Diane, take two, on the radio show. Thank you Diane!!
Wednesday November 24, 2010
On this eve of Thanksgiving, a holiday to give thanks and celebrate the harvest, count our blessings and share food with family and friends, it is fitting that our guest is a Mayflower descendant, Loring Barnes. Loring is the 10th direct descendant of Governor William Bradford of Massachusetts, and her Dad is named Bradford. Much of her Dad's side of the family remains in Plymouth.
Loring's namesake, Thomas Loring, was the "Collector of Customs" for President Abraham Lincoln. Loring traces her lineage to Miles Standish and some other folks too, such as: Loring, Barnes, Brewster, Belcher, Adams among many from the original Mayflower passenger manifest.
Loring shares with great energy and enthusiasm some of her family recipes and the importance of Thanksgiving as an opportunity to indulge in a long and plentiful meal and enjoy being with friends and family. Loring shared her easy make ahead three cheese party potatoes and I will make them and post the recipe soon!! They sound and look DELICIOUS!!
Enjoy the show and I wish each and every one a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday November 17, 2010
