Showing results by author "Jim Coleman" in All Categories

Food is one of the most enduring of the arts - everyone eats and if you've ever put a piece of parsley on steak or a birthday candle on a cake, you've added style! Today, we'll talk to artists, writers and chefs about the art of food. And how do they make those beautiful food photographs that make us drool? Discover how to bring improv to your recipes. And our nutritionist weighs in on some urban myths!

Sugar plays a starring role on Valentine's Day, but it's also a big part of our every day lives. We'll discover how we developed our famous sweet tooth. Our guest is Wendy Woloson, author of Refined Tastes: Sugar, Confectionery, and Consumers in Nineteenth-Century America. Later on the show; if you want to impress your Valentine this year, the hip gift isn't fancy gourmet chocolates. It's a blast from the past: retro candy!

Most cooks can't wait for those first signs of spring: fresh asparagus, local greens, and the scents of the first blooms. Let's celebrate them all - starting with ramps, the wild leek that inspires festivals around the south. A brewer describes the beauty of hop blooms. We'll also take a look at an unusual, but fragrant, approach to dining. Later, New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman believes a healthier you can mean a healthier planet.

Everyone's favorite word is "YES!" But today's show is all about "NO" - what not to do. You know, all the things you've been told were oh, so wrong... like cheese with fish, using a dull knife, and starting that shrimp sear in a cold pan. We'll also take a look at that very dubious food product, SPAM. And we'll discover a new way perfume is being used in restaurants.

Depending on where you live and the weather, it's Cherry Blossom Festival time - a good time to focus on Japanese culture. We begin in a Japanese home kitchen with Elizabeth Andoh, author of Washoku. Then it's off to Tokyo, a city that offers some of the most unexpected sights, from a woman dressed in a kimono buying a burger at McDonald's to lavish department stores. Chef's Table correspondent Scott Haas takes us tableside in one of Tokyo's restaurants.

There's nothing like getting in the kitchen to cure mid-winter blues. Homemade stocks and soups are great to put away in the freezer for when you don't feel like cooking in warmer weather. And long simmering steams the windows up a bit and adds a welcoming aroma to the house. Today's show features Michael Ruhlman on stocks and Grace Parisi on sauces. We'll also talk to Danny Meyer about being a restaurateur.

It's almost Halloween, so let's go into the dark side of food. We'll discover common frauds from the past, plus some concerns for today. The creator of the Spiderwick Chronicles talks about her latest venture into the world of fairies. And what's Halloween without a murder mystery? We've got one plotted in a vineyard!

Don't forget! Mother's Day is around the corner. So on today's show we're all about the moms -- their cooking and their warm advice. Pino Luongo recalls his restaurant, "Le Madre," and blending "mom food" with professional chefs. Plus what happens when a daughter follows her mom into the world of food ---we'll ask Nancy and Sara Jenkins.

It's that time of year when we are busy, overwhelmed, and running on empty. So, if you're feeling harried, we'll find some simple solutions - like hiring a butler. OK, that's not possible, but we'll tell you what it would be like to have a real "Jeeves" around the house! And there's nothing that chocolate doesn't fix. Kallari chocolate provides economic sustenance for one community and is also saving the rainforest - find out about this unique cooperative.

Fall ushers in the last of the garden harvest--and after a fast paced summer, we're returning to slow, autumn cooking. So, today's show is a little autumn stew - a few ingredients, some cooking techniques and time spent in the kitchen. Ingredients like tomatoes. Heirloom, of course. We recall a conversation with Paula Wolfert about slow, Mediterranean cooking. And if you think wine education has to be formal and stuffy, you haven't seen Gary Vaynerchuk.

What's your obsession? For some, it's career; others have an insatiable curiosity. And some just can't stop thinking about their favorite dish. On today's Chef's Table, we'll discover some interesting stories that might not be truly obsessive, but sure come close! Farmer Jon gives us the real dirt on making a life on a farm. British bad boy chef Marco Pierre White divulges why he was obsessed with being the youngest to earn three Michelin stars.

For a short month February has a lot going on! On today's show we'll cover the highlights: Presidents Day, Chinese New Year and Valentines.

It's hard to believe that it has been nearly a year since Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. On today's show, we'll see how the region is faring. The reviews have been mixed: some will say they are well on the road to normalcy; others indicate help has been sorely lacking.

The clocks have changed - hopefully - the closets are cleaned, and we're all waiting for the first taste of summer produce. Today, we salute spring and the fresh fruits and vegetables to come. Vietnamese Cuisine is known for its robust and flavorful use of vegetables, so we'll start there. Then, we'll get some advice on creating an outdoor kitchen and discover some quick-fix picnics. Later, learn how to start a raised vegetable garden with Katharine Whiteside.

Superbowl Sunday. It's not just the game. Superbowl parties can be a low-stress way to entertain.

Time can be a great ingredient. On today's show, we talk about aging...from wine and cheeses to sausages and even father-son relationships. We'll also talk with Delilah Winder about soul food, a cuisine that has been handed down from generation to generation. Her Mac and Cheese recipe was deemed "The Best" by Oprah. Nora Ephron discusses women, age, and necks. A father and son reconcile over bialys in a new memoir. Plus, Graham Kerr's healthy life on the road and more.

Everyone needs an expert now and then! On this week's show, we've got specialists in everything from mangoes to grilling and even ginseng. We'll get some grilling techniques and recipes from an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America. Then, discover the amazing history and properties of ginseng. We also travel to the subcontinent and discover the enormous variety in mangoes.

Peasant food, rustic food, comfort food: no matter what you call it, down-home regional dishes passed from generation to generation remain our favorites. Today, we'll celebrate the home cook and enjoy simple meals from kitchens around the world. Mario Batali chats about simplicity and Mr. Cutlets finds an unusual dinner. Finally, a walking and noshing tour of New York City's most delicious neighborhoods.

Today we're all about the upcoming celebration on the Fourth. It's all about patriotic ceremonies, fireworks, history, and of course, the food. And, as a nation of many immigrants, we're lucky to have many food influences. Lidia Bastianich discusses her 10 favorite places in Italy, plus her life as a native of Italy and her adopted America.

Today we're all about family. Learn how to plan a family reunion from the founder of Temple University's Family Reunion Institute. We'll talk to two sets of siblings about hunting down recipes: the Lee Brothers and the Brass sisters. Next, Madhur Jaffrey describes the joint-family system in India and how she learned to cook. Later, a visit with Eric Chopin from The Biggest Loser. Plus, we'll also learn how to make elderberry "champagne" and get some tips for picnic entertaining.