The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

It's a real variety show this week with controversies over apes with Dr. Frans de Waal, one of the world's leading primatologists and author of The Ape and the Sushi Master. Dr. de Waal theorizes that apes are more like us than we think, and it's demonstrated in how they deal with food.Jane and Michael Stern are eating breakfast old-California style at the Ramona Café. The outrageous Joe Queenan, author of Balsamic Dreams, tells a tale of yuppies, rat hunting, and balsamic vinegar. Jewish-food authority Matthew Goodman reports on Toronto Blueberry Buns, gadget guru Dorie Greenspan evaluates salad spinners, and Lynne has a recipe forGreek Parsley Potatoes.Broadcast dates for this episode:August 18, 2001 (originally aired)July 27, 2002 (rebroadcast)

This week we're coming to you from the Food and Wine Magazine Classic at Aspen, Colorado—the annual extravaganza where food and wine lovers mingle with the culinary world's superstars and sample everything from outrageous champagnes to duck-liver lollipops.Lynne is joined on the stage of the historic Wheeler Opera House by a lineup of luminaries: Dana Cowin, editor of Food and Wine magazine; star chef Mario Batali; food writer Patricia Wells; New York restaurateur Danny Meyer; and the father-daughter team of Jacques and Claudine Pepin.There's no food and wine event quite like this one, so tune in for a special hour.Broadcast dates for this episode:June 29, 2002

The next time you open your refrigerator door, consider that, centuries ago, cold was a mystery—something seemingly without a source, often associated with danger and death, and altogether too fearsome to explore. Tom Shachtman, author of Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold, examines the subject that baffled ancient mankind before it brought conveniences like refrigeration and air conditioning that we take for granted today.Jane and Michael Stern are in truck-stop heaven at one of their "Top 10 Favorites"—a tiny shack in Smyrna, Delaware, called Helen's Sausage House. The Food Network's David Rosengarten recently taste-tested mail-order barbecue ribs. He'll share his top picks and a recipe for the perfect side—Mustard Slaw. Reporter Scott Haas is on the Belgian beer beat, sorting out the Trappists from the Triples; grocery guru Al Sicherman is back for a supermarket salsa tasting, and Lynne has a recipe for Bellinis.Broadcast dates for this episode:July 7, 2001 (originally aired)June 22, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Just a generation ago American wines were dismissed by Europeans as pedestrian and of little consequence. Thirty years later things changed, and the best French wines began falling behind American varietals in international competitions. Our guest Paul Lukacs, author of American Vintage, traces the rise of American wine and tells the story of the famous blind tasting that started the revolution. From teetotalers to bootleggers, Paul introduces an array of interesting characters who contributed to America becoming a formidable leader in the wine industry.Jane and Michael Stern are in Mobile, Alabama, hometown of Jimmy Buffet and the Dew Drop Inn, the inspiration for Jimmy's song "Cheeseburger in Paradise." John Willoughby wants us to toss a little fruit on the grill along with the chops and gets us started with his recipe for Grilled Double-Thick Pork Chops with Grilled Peaches and Molasses-Rum Barbecue Sauce. Beer-obsessed Steve Beaumont has the word on pairing beer with spicy food, and seafood authority Jon Rowley introduces us to Mediterranean mussels—they've made their way to Seattle's Puget Sound, and they're prime summertime eating.Broadcast dates for this episode:June 22, 2001 (originally aired)June 15, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Polar explorer Ann Bancroft, who recently skied 1,700 miles across Antarctica with her partner Liv Arnesen, joins us this week with tales from her third expedition. She also tells of a lavishly outfitted Arctic expedition from 150 years ago and the food that doomed the members to starvation and insanity.Our road food duo, Jane and Michael Stern, went searching for chocolate turtles and found anatomically correct ones at Turtle Alley in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Cheese expert Steve Jenkins is back with simple and delicious ideas for our kind of summer entertaining—pairing cheese with other easy foods for great eating with no cooking and little work. It's tricks with Asian ingredients from Seattle chef Tom Douglas, who shares recipes for Miso Vinaigrette and Hoisin Barbecue Sauce, and fruit authority David Karp reveals some luscious peach and nectarine discoveries.Broadcast dates for this episode:June 8, 2001 (originally aired)June 1, 2002 (rebroadcast)

"This week British writer Elizabeth Luard, author of Sacred Food: Cooking for Spiritual Nourishment, takes a look at the traditional foods different cultures serve at significant life events. We'll focus on food for a wedding celebration as Elizabeth explains why the French favor cream puffs hit with a hammer over cake cut with a knife, why the British avoid greens at a nuptial feast, and why higher is better when it comes to the cake. Her recipe for Soupe de Mariage is pot-au-feu for a wedding party or any time.The Sterns report from the Pine Club, a quirky adult supper club in Dayton, Ohio. Go for the great aged steaks and bring lots of cash! Dorie Greenspan evaluates skillets, and T.R. Reid, author of The Chip, reports on hot London restaurants. Novelist-turned-wine-writer Jay McInerney has wacky wine and food combos, and Lynne takes your calls.Broadcast dates for this episode:May 25, 2002

This week it's an unusual take on botany and the issue of control—plants vs. humans—with our guest, journalist and gardener Michael Pollan. In his new book, The Botany of Desire, Michael claims that plants manipulate us by taking advantage of our basic desires. (Starts at 20:41.)Jane and Michael Stern have found old-world Czech food in Omaha. Travel writer Anya Von Bremzen reports on exotica from one of the ancient food centers of the Middle East. Herb genius and chef Jerry Traunfeld talks sorrel and gives us the perfect recipe for a spring brunch: Smoked Salmon Benedict with Sorrel Sauce. Gourmet magazine editor Ruth Reichl reads from her memoir, Comfort Me With Apples, and Lynne shares her recipe for Roasted Asparagus Potato Salad.Broadcast dates for this episode:May 19, 2001 (originally aired)May 18, 2002 (rebroadcast)

This week it's a look at Thai food traditions with Su-Mei Yu, chef/owner of Saffron Restaurant in San Diego and author of Cracking the Coconut: Classic Thai Home Cooking. Su Mei tells of the rather curious way she researched her heritage, and leaves us with etiquette tips for dining in Thai restaurants and a recipe for sticky rice.Jane and Michael Stern report from Nick's Nest in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where they're eating wienies the way they were served in mid-century New England. Jewish-food authority Matthew Goodman wants us to try the spicy cuisine of Yemen. His recipe for Yemenite Fish in Tomato Sauce is a fine introduction. We'll hear how TV chef Sara Moulton juggles two jobs and a young family, and we'll meet a beekeeper who tends his hives on the rooftops of New York City.Broadcast dates for this episode:May 4, 2001 (originally aired)April 27, 2002 (rebroadcast)

This week it's a private tour of Seattle's Pike Place Market, the gold standard among farmers markets. Our guide is none other than award-winning chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas, who was just named Best Chef in the Northwest by the James Beard Foundation. Tom reveals some of his favorite market vendors and shares his recipe for Sake-Steamed Sockeye Salmon with Sake Butter. His new book, Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen, is a celebration of the city's rich and diverse culinary heritage and wealth of fresh local ingredients.Jane and Michael Stern are in the California desert chowing down among the dinosaurs at the Wheel Inn. They leave us with a recipe for Highway Patrol Succotash, a fresh take on this often maligned vegetable mix. Wine maverick Joshua Wesson returns with some excellent but overlooked bargain French white wines that deserve more respect. Calvin Trillin, author of The Tummy Trilogies, gives us his unique take on eating in Japan, and we'll talk with the farmer behind those packaged ready-to-eat salads. We wonder what keeps them fresh.Broadcast dates for this episode:May 11, 2001 (originally aired)April 13, 2002 (rebroadcast)

Donna Hay, Australia's diva of divine dining, is credited with rescuing a generation of young people from the clutches of take-out and fast-food. Her latest book, Off the Shelf: Cooking From the Pantry, offers tips and recipes for fresh, quick, stylish, and flavorful meals using what you have on hand. Her recipe for Chili Fish with Sweet Lemon Salad is a fine example.For Jane and Michael Stern, it's warm cinnamon rolls and fresh pie at Gus Balon's Restaurant in Tucson, Arizona. John Willoughby takes on that vexing question of grilling—charcoal versus gas—and shares his recipe for Rosemary-Grilled New York Strip with Smoky Eggplant Relish. Let The Flames Begin, John's latest book with co-author Chris Schlesinger, will be published in June. Kitchen designer Deborah Krasner reveals what they never tell us about non-stick cookware. Reporter Scott Haas goes into the kitchen with TV's Iron Chef Morimoto, who has a new restaurant in Philadelphia called, appropriately, Morimoto. Finally, we'll hear how the Bread Bakers Guild Team USA 2002 prepares to defend their World Cup title.Broadcast dates for this episode:April 6, 2002