Jan 22 – Fine Cooking Magazine, John Henry’s BBQ, Graham’s Port

Current IssueMy guest this week is Laurie Buckle, editor of Fine Cooking Magazine.

Fine Cooking is unique in its 100% focus on food and its mission to give today’s cooks — no matter what their level of cooking skill — the knowledge and confidence to become more talented cooks and enhance their pleasure in all things food. It’s the only epicurean title completely dedicated to cooking. No wonder our brand-loyal readers agree.  Fine Cooking is:

  • Pure fun! — an ongoing celebration of the enjoyment of cooking and entertaining
  • Everything cooking — the sources, tools, tips, and advice that make readers the best in the kitchen … and in the company of their friends
  • Packed with invaluable how-to’s — the highest quality, best explained cooking
  • The key to kitchen success — the most thoroughly tested and creative recipes
  • Full of real insights — from ingredients to shopping and buying
  • The perfect fit for any lifestyle — offering tips for every day, special days, and everything inbetween

www.finecooking.com 

Laurie Buckle Laurie Buckle is the editor-in-chief of Fine Cooking, where she redesigned the magazine. She also oversees the magazine’s website and special issues. Prior to this, she was an editor at Bon Appetit magazine for more than two decades, getting her start as an editorial assistant. Laurie was Bon Appetit’s managing editor for seven years, and was at different times the magazine’s books editor, special projects editor, and articles editor.  Check out Laurie’s Blog!

John HenrysIn  the second half I’ll be chatting with Mr. John Henry Houston Texas’ “Doctor of BBQ”
Growing up in East Texas where barbeque is king, John Henry has wonderful memories of summer picnics, country fairs and great barbeque. So East Texas flavor was what he had in mind when he created hisaward winning barbeque sauce,spices and rubs. He recently won first prize for his succulent brisket in his hometown of Nacogdoches, Texas while participating in the Do-Dat Barbeque Cookoff. As head of the Culinary Service Department for the Houston Community College  system, John has taught the masterful art of cooking for over eight years. He now oversees the training for future cooks, chefs and caterers specializing in the preparation and application of spices, rubs and sauces.  In addition to his many awards and degrees, John is also an active member in the Texas Chefs Association,and is certified as a culinary educator and executive chef.  www.johnhenrysfoodproducts.com 

In 1989, John was asked to personally handle the presidential inaugural dinner. He put together a team of 19 chefs, traveled to Washington, and prepared barbeque for President Bush along with 20,000 guests attending the celebration. Later, John was asked to accompany the President to Beijing,China and prepare his barbeque.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
Something fun for a cold winters night!  🙂

Grahams10yr tawnyGraham’s 10 Year Tawny Port
10 Years” indicates and average age – this Aged Tawny Port is a blend of older wines, which offer complexity and younger wines, which bring fresh fruit flavors and vibrancy. During their long maturing period in oak casks, Aged Tawnies undergo subtle color changes: the deep red hue which characterizes Port’s youth gradually gives way to a paler reddish amber color. Graham’s is known for its rich, elegant house style. This 10 Year has a full, nutty bouquet, the classic Graham’s richness and a soft lingering finish.

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Jan 15 – “Wine Myths & Reality”

My guest this week is…
Master of Wine Benjamin Lewin & his new book “Wine Myths and Reality.”
Benjamin brings a unique combination of qualifications in wine and science to bear on the world of wine. His position as one of only 300 Masters of Wine attests to his deep knowledge of wine, and his former position as founding Editor of the leading scientific journal, Cell, emphasizes his critical insights. His previous book, What Price Bordeaux?, received worldwide critical acclaim for its innovative approach, and was shortlisted for the prestigious André Simon wine book award. Lewin also writes for Decanter magazine. He divides his time between the eastern United States and the wine-growing regions of Europe, and is presently working on his next book, In Search of Pinot Noir.

wine myths & realityABOUT THE BOOK:   Is wine an artisanal creation or industrial product? Wine Myths and Reality goes behind the scenes of winemaking to reveal the truth about what goes into a bottle of wine. Extensively illustrated with photographs, maps, and charts, its approachable and entertaining style immediately engages the reader in the wine universe.  Panoramic in its scope, magisterial in its treatment, and meticulous in its research, Wine Myths and Reality explodes the world of wine. From monks treading grapes in the middle ages to the latest research into grapevine DNA, this compelling book presents the authoritative account of how wine is really made. Practices in viticulture and vinification come under the microscope, the tricks of the wine trade are revealed, the methods of the new and the old worlds are scrutinized, and their wines are discussed.  An overview of all major wine-producing countries extends from the powerful wines of the new world to the classic wines of France or Italy. Does terroir really matter? Is the international style taking over? Will global warming destroy the existing wine-producing regions? And extrapolating from current trends, what will wine be like in the next decade?

 

The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:
Robert Mondavi Winery Riesling Private Selection California2008 Robert Mondavi Riesling
Produced entirely from grapes grown in Monterey County, along California’s cool Central Coast. An especially rich, full bodied rendition of the noble Riesling varietal, it exudes fresh honeysuckle, ripe peach, citrus blossom, and baking spice aromas with mouth filling, honeyed peach, ripe yellow apple, and kiwi fruit flavors.

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Jan 8 – Cooking for Geeks, Trinchero Napa Merlot

We start this weeks show with “Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food” by my guest Jeff Potter 

cooking-for-geeks-cover-300x347Are you the innovative type, the cook who marches to a different drummer — used to expressing your creativity instead of just following recipes? Are you interested in the science behind what happens to food while it’s cooking? Do you want to learn what makes a recipe work so you can improvise and create your own unique dish?

More than just a cookbook, Cooking for Geeks applies your curiosity to discovery, inspiration, and invention in the kitchen. Why is medium-rare steak so popular? Why do we bake some things at 350 F and others at 375 F? And how quickly does a pizza cook if we overclock an oven to 1,000 F? Author and cooking geek Jeff Potter provides the answers and offers a unique take on recipes — from the sweet (a “mean” chocolate chip cookie) to the savory (duck confit sugo).

This book is an excellent and intriguing resource for anyone who wants to experiment with cooking, even if you don’t consider yourself a geek.

In the second half I’ll be talking to Patrick Shebley at the newly opened Gas Lamp Grille and Lounge; 550 N. Rock RoadNorth Rock Road (formerly the Shadow).

 

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2007 Trinchero Napa, Chicken Ranch Merlot

Click here to see Guy’s video reivew

trinchickrmerlotWine Enthusiast Review – Rated 91
Dry and tannic, a Merlot that’s the opposite of softly luxurious. But it’s extremely elegant with its cherry, red currant and bitter cherryskin flavors, and shows true complexity throughout. Just cries out for a fine steak, in a brown butter, soft cheese and garlic sauce.

Wine Tasting Notes
All of our vineyards yield wines that are distinct and recognizable from year to year. The signature flavors for Chicken Ranch are earth and dried herbs. This is textbook Rutherford Merlot. The color is deep, the nose is ripe and tinged with olives, leather and sage, and the flavors are ripe and lush.

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Jan 1, 2011 – Knife Skills, What’s Cookin’ with Doc and more!

First up is Jeffrey Elliot with his “Complete book of Knife Skills – The Essential Guide to Use, Techniques & Care”
knife skillsZwilling J. A. Henckels introduced his legendary German cutlery in 1731, and now his chefs have created a textbooklike guide on how to use the blades of the present. A kitchen-technique book of this depth and precision is a useful read for home cooks and aspiring culinary students alike. Authors Elliot and DeWan break each skill into small intricate steps, which allows the gourmands among us to follow along with ease and confidence. Once we have our mise en place, we’re invited to peruse the kitchen as we learn how to chop, dice, rondelle, and chiffonade our way through the pantry. The chef-authors clearly outline which tools and practices are necessary to fabricate poultry, fillet fish, shuck oysters, or butterfly chops. Chapters alternately discuss the proper way to cut for presentation and cooking accuracy while focusing on procedure and safety. This step-by-step manual of age-old culinary tradition will have readers who are looking to sharpen their kitchen skills preparing frenched lamb rack with tourné potatoes and fluted mushrooms in no time. –Brian Lesson; Booklist Review

Like to cook…you need this book, click her to order now!

In the second half I’ll be talking to Dr. Michael Fenster, a Doctor; Chef and more… who, among other things has a great web Blog – What’s Cookin’ With Doc – bringing you Great Food to eat as well as Great Food for thought. And the occasional Pommes Frites!

fenster copy

Doc Michael Fenster

Doc really is a Doc. He is a Board Certified Interventional Cardiologist with over a decade’s worth of experience. He has participated in numerous clinical trials and spoken nationally on a variety of cardiovascular topics to audiences ranging from lay public to peer presentations at the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology meetings. He has also published numerous professional, peer reviewed articles and served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at North East Ohio University College of Medicine (NEOUCOM). Doc recently graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University’s Physician’s Executive MBA program. But before all that, there was food. Working professionally in kitchens prior to entering medical school, Doc maintained his passion for food and wine throughout his medical career. He is a certified wine professional, professional Chef (with culinary degree!) and helped manage the award winning Napa Alley in Roanoke, Virginia until its closing. He has presented live cooking demonstrations as well as starring in the local cable TV cooking show, “What’s Cookin’ with Doc”. His passion is for great tasting food using techniques and preparations that highlight fresh, vibrant flavors. The taste comes first (because that’s what lingers) but the highlight is how these great tasting meals can be great for you.

The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:
A Heart Healthy BIG Red wine from Sonoma  🙂
2008 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Rod Strong Alex Cab08The Alexander Valley signature profile is evident in this delicious cabernet: bold fruit aromas and flavors centered on red plum and boysenberry, and a rich and mouthfilling texture with soft tannins, all of which we’ve framed in the finest oak barrels for 18.5 months.
I have had some amazing 08′ vintage cabernet lately, this is just one of them from a great Sonoma producer. 

Pick up a bottle at Jacob Liquor today

Get your Jacob Liquor 30% Wine Discount Coupon here!
It’s only good for today – January 1st, 2011

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Dec 25 – Firesteed Vineyards

Happy Holidays glitter graphic

This week I’ll be taking you on a tour of Oregons Firesteed Vineyards with winemaker Bryan Croft.

Guy interviews Bryan Croft at Firesteed

Guy interviewing winemaker Bryan Croft

firesteed logo jpgRecently I had the pleasure of spending the morning with Bryan and walking through the vineyards, crush pad, tank and barrel rooms and then tasting all the wines that this Willamette Valley producer makes. 

About Firesteed:  In the early Nineties, the public’s attention was turning toward red wine and distributors were hard pressed to meet the new demands: high-quality varietal wine that was vintage dated and very affordable. During those years,Firesteed founder Howard Rossbach was visiting markets throughout the country, representing the interests of wineries from the Pacific Northwest. The plea from consumers for affordable wine could not be met by his clients, who struggled to cover the overhead of vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms.

Howard sharpened his pencils, picked up his telephone and set out to find the solution. It wasn’t long before he located growers that were producing excellent Pinot Noir grapes in Oregon, a winery that had more room than it needed, and a highly-regarded winemaker with time on his hands to consult.  That was the genesis of Firesteed and the business strategy that continues to be successful for Firesteeds growers, distributors, and wine consumers.  Production of the 1992 vintage was about 7,000 cases. This year, we hope to surpass 60,000.

firsteed pn bottleGood Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2008 Firesteed Oregon Pinot Noir

Watch the Firesteed Pinot Noir video

Ruby red in color with aromas of strawberries, cedar and spice the wine’s luscious flavors of vanilla bean and cherry tart are well-supported by its surprising structure. Grapes for this wine, as in previous years, were sourced from throughout the Willamette, Umpqua, Rogue and Walla Walla Valleys, creating a truly Oregon blend.

Pick up a bottle Firesteed at Jacob Liquor Exchange and join me for a taste of Oregon Pinot Noir

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