My first guest is Journalist, producer, author and Cattle rancher Bill Kurtis. You’ve seen him on TV with his shows Investigative Reports, Cold Case files and most recently as spokesperson for AT&T discovering the internet. Today we will focus on Bill’s Sedan Kansas Cattle ranch where Flint Hills Beef is produced.
In his home state of Kansas, Kurtis is a rancher, radio station owner, art gallery owner, small businessman, supporter of small-town America, and an active conservationist. His 10,000-acre Red Buffalo Ranch is a working cattle ranch, raising and marketing organic grass-fed beef. The ranch is located in the last section of North America to enjoy untouched tall grass prairie, a personal point of pride for Mr. Kurtis.
Grass-fed beef
“I’m trying to lead the wave in terms of healthy beef. I think this is the answer to obesity,” says Kurtis, whose Tallgrass Beef Co. raises grass-fed cows on his ranch. He has returned to the way that cattle historically were raised on open range and grass only, without the use of hormones, antibiotics and fattening in feedlots on corn and corn products. At any given time, there are some 2,500 to 3, 500 cows ranging over the Kurtis ranch.
Leading Chicago restaurants Harry Caray’s and Charlie Trotter’s serve Kurtis Tallgrass Beef, which also is sold online. www.tallgrassbeef.com
In the second half I’ll be talking to Nancy Bell Ringer, a local Wichita cook, about her “Dish Diva Cookbook” – and her Cookie Diva business that produces exceptional custom decorated sugar cookies. Nancy’s Dish diva Cookbook is availble at Watermark books at Douglas and Oliver, for those her get there early this week there are signed copies available.
Note to self…
Saturday, May 1 is the 15th Annual Herb Day at the Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st & Ridge Road. 7:00-2:00 p.m. The 2010 Herb of the year is Dill! Learn more at: www.sedgwick.ksu.edu
The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week…
From France, an Eric Solomon European Cellars Selection
2008 côté EST – 50%Grenache, 30%Chardonnay, 20% Marsanne
Lafage’s 2008 Cote Est (note the slightly different spelling of the name from previous years) comes from Chardonnay, Marsanne, and old Grenache Blanc vines on cobbled soils near the coast, blended with the fruit of centenarian Grenache Gris vines on Pyrenean schist. The wine is aged in tank on its fine lees and the result is not only irresistibly delicious but truly complex. Orange and lime zest, white pepper, narcissus, fennel, and mint in the nose lead to a juicy, bright palate with musky floral perfume and a shimmering interchange of citrus with wet stone, salt, iodine, and other ineffable mineral elements.
Wine Advocate 90 Points