Dec 11 – “Salted”, Ceaser’s Pasta, Mumm Napa Brut Prestige

My first guest is Mark Bitterman with his new book “SALTED”

saltedMark Bitterman is a man truly possessed by salt.  As “selmelier” at The Meadow, the internationally recognized artisan-product boutique, Bitterman explains the promise and allure of salt to thousands of visitors from across the country who flock to his showstopping collection. “Salt can be a revelation,” he urges, “no food is more potent, more nutritionally essential, more universal, or more ancient. No other food displays salt’s crystalline beauty, is as varied, or as storied.”

In Salted, Bitterman traces the mineral’s history, from humankind’s first salty bite to its use in modern industry to the resurgent interest in artisan salts. Featuring more than 50 recipes that showcase this versatile and marvelous ingredient, Salted also includes a field guide to artisan salts profiling 80 varieties and exploring their dazzling characters, unique stories, production methods, and uses in cooking; plus a quick-reference guide covering over 150 salts. Salting is one of the more ingrained habits in cooking, and according to Bitterman, all habits need to be questioned. He challenges you to think creatively about salting, promising that by understanding and mastering the principles behind it—and becoming familiar with the primary types of artisanal salts available—you will be better equipped to get the best results for your individual cooking style and personal taste. Whether he’s detailing the glistening staccato crunch of fleur de sel harvested from millennia-old Celtic saltmaking settlements in France or the brooding sizzle of forgotten rock salts transported by the Tauregs across the Sahara, Bitterman’s mission is to encourage us to explore the dazzling world of salt beyond the iodized curtain.

ceasers pastaIn the second half I’ll be talking to the folks from Ceaser’s Pasta about some of their Gluten Free pasta products.  Now everyone can enjoy authentic Italian food; even those with dietary restrictions. Caesar’s Gluten Free & Wheat Free product line is All Natural and contains NO Wheat, Barley, Rye or Oats.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
brutprestige_detNV Mumm Napa Brut Prestige
Brut Prestige  is Mumm Napa’s signature cuvée, this versatile wine is sourced from more than 50 prime Napa Valley vineyards to create an infintely elegant, gorgeously balanced wine. Delicate golden peach color, tantalizing hints of melon, spice and toasty vanilla, with a crisp lingering finish. This sparkling wine has won more medals at major wine competitions than any other wine in its class. WS90 – #48 of Top 100 for 2010

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Dec 4 – Intense Flavors, Challenge Aspen, Montgras Quatro

This week’s show features a great new book “The cook’s Book of Intense Flavors” by my guests Robert and Molly Krause; former chef/owners of the award-winning, Lawrence Kansas Krause Dining restaurant featured in Food & Wine magazines annual “100 Tastes to Try” issue.

cooksbook of intense flavorsThe Cook’s Book of Intense Flavorsis an indispensable guide to exotic and decadent flavor combinations for the advanced chef. Filled with more than 100 extraordinary combinations, The Cook’s Book of Intense Flavors will make you rethink the way you approach food and each exotic flavor is accompanied by an inspired recipe as an example of how to use it. And unlike other flavor references, this book offers a recipe for each combination so you know exactly how to use what you learn. You’ll learn how to cook more innovatively by adding an unexpected note such chili to a traditional flavor combination such as pineapple and mango. You’ll cook more intuitively by learning which flavors work together and how to balance different flavor profiles such as sweet, sour, savory, and spicy. You’ll get more excitement from cooking as you taste how flavors evolve during the cooking process. Most importantly, you’ll get more pleasure out of the flavors and ingredients you use every day.  
  
chalg aspen cookbookIn the second half I’ll be talking to Chef Bobby Lane of Chester’s Chop House about his collaboration with Jimmy Yeager owner of the famous “Jimmy’s” restaurant in Aspen Colorado and founding president of the Challenge Aspen board of directors, about a spectacular cookbook they put together that benefits Challenge Aspen.    We’ll tell you all about this great cookbook, the incredible organization it benefits and how you can get a copy for yourself, family and friends…what a great Christmas gift!   Get a copy at Chester’s Chop House or Watermark Books!
    

Challenge Aspen is dedicated to impacting lives by presenting meaningful recreational, cultural and competitive experiences to individuals faced with cognitive or physical challenges.      www.challangeaspen.org

bobbie land and Jimmy at cookbook promo

Bobby Lane, Guy & Jimmy Yeager

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:  2008 Montgras Quatro

mtgras quatro“One of the best values in Chilean wine is Quatro, a lusty blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenère and Syrah. The nose is deep and roasted, with aromas of bacon, vanilla, pastry and black fruit. Lush and full in the mouth, with intense blackberry and cassis flavors. A titan at a great price, and ageable over the short term. Drink now through 2013.”

90 Points

Wine Enthusiast

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Nov 27 – Food Styling, Matchbook Wines

First up; Delores Custer with her latest book “Food Styling”

9780470080191.pdfFull of ingenious advice on styling in any media and packed with full-color photographs, Food Styling reveals every trick of the trade, from making a beverage appear to sweat to producing those perfect grill marks on meat without a grill. Filled with resources and organized in a simple problem-and-solution format, this is an ideal resource for both experienced foods styling pros and first-timers alike.

  • This is the only book of its kind on the market, shedding light on the art and craft of food styling.  More than 300 full-color photos reveal the process of styling and the spectacular results, teaching and inspiring anyone interested in food and how it is presented in media.  The book features a timeline of 60 years of food styling, a glossary of important terms, and a listing of vital styling resources
  • The only book the aspiring or professional food stylist will ever need, this exceptionally thorough resource covers challenges from flawless fried chicken to fluffy, cloudlike cake frostings-and everything in between.

You may not be a budding food stylist, but if you like food, are amazed at the color and drama of great food photos, you will love this book.  If you are looking for a career in photography, this my be your answer!

In the second half, it’s all about “Matchbook Winery” with John Giguiere.

Matchbook is a disciple of the Giguiere’s devotion to the land where they grew up, 30 miles east of Napa County in the Dunnigan Hills of California.  The Giguiere’s founded R.H. Phillips winery in 1983, growing a small family business in to a giant public held company in a very short time.  In 2005 John and Lane left R.H. Phillips and went back to their roots.  From a childhood fascination with matches, fire and rockets,  this new adventure in wine began and Matchbook seemd like an appropriate name.

The Giguiere’s produce Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Syrah and Tinto Rey, varieties that are destined to greatness in the Dunnigan Hills.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2008 Matchbook Tempranillo

matchbook tempThe Tempranillo and Graciano vines grown in our Matchbook Vineyard in the Dunnigan Hills are from cuttings imported from the Pesquera region of Spain. While the traditional earthy and spicy flavors are evident from the old-world varietals, the Matchbook Tempranillo shows its California upbringing in the layers of dark berry and cherry flavors and hint of vanilla from oak aging. The addition of Petite Sirah adds aromas and flavors of blueberries.

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Nov 20 – Anjum’s New Indian, Quinoa & Grgich Hills

A busy show with some great guests…

Anjoums new indianFirst up, Anjum Anand with her book “Anjums New Indian” –  Anjum grew up in London but has also lived and studied in Geneva, Paris and Madrid.  After gaining a European Business degree she decided to develop her interest in Indian cookery and, in particular, making her native food fresher, lighter and simpler to cook.  She has worked across the world in innovative restaurants such as Café Spice in New York, the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles, and the Park Royal Hotel’s Indian restaurant in New Delhi, but her real love is delicious and stylish food that is simple enough to cook at home.  
Visit Anjum’s web site!

Then it’s “Quinoa 365” with Carolyn Hemming.    www.quinoa365.com

Pronounced ‘keen wah’, Quinoa is a frequently neglected and relatively unknown superfood – containing a perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids. It is gluten-free and a great source of protein. Nothing else packs a punch of nutrition quite like quinoa. Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood shows you how to add quinoa to all your favorite foods!

quinoa365Authors Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming share their best quinoa recipes along with the merits of this deemed “superfood”, one that is quickly gaining popularity and interest in North America.  In Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood you will find delicious and easy ways to incorporate quinoa into every meal of the day, 365 days a year!

 

GHE_LOGO_4tradeThen it’s out to Napa and a chat with Violet Grgich; Co-Proprietor,  about the winery, wines and her visit to Wichita for the AIWF Holiday dinner.  Grgich Hills Estate is a family-owned winery dedicated to the art of winemaking. The wines are made completely from grapes that are certified organic and Biodynamic®, grown at our estate vineyards.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of  the Week:
The wines of Grgich Hills

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Nov 13 – This Week’s Show

LIVE from Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Van Duzer Vineyards with winemaker Jerry D. Murphy.  In Oregon for 5 days of wine FUN and intense research,  tune in for segments to air in November and December as well as video segments from our trip posted here on the video page.

wines-of-oregon-van-duzerVan Duzer Vineyards was built on a dream to find a cool weather site in Oregon for the fussy Pinot Noir grape that would rival the best wines of Burgundy in balance and finesse. In 1989, Van Duzer Vineyards owners Carl and Marilynn Thoma located a hilltop winery with existing vineyards immediately west of the Eola Hills. The estate site occupies a strategic site in the foothills of the Van Duzer Corridor, the conduit through the Coastal Mountains for maritime breezes that enter the Willamette Valley at the close of summer evenings.

Because Van Duzer Vineyards benefits uniquely from the western wind that flows strongly through the Van Duzer Corridor to the interior Willamette Valley, the winery selected a Zephyr, the gentle west wind of Greek mythology, to grace the wine label. According to Greek legend, Zephyr and other wind gods are commanded by Aeolus, king of the winds. Oregon’s famed Eola Hills wine region lies immediately to the east of Van Duzer Vineyards and is named for Aeolus.

OR vineyard-sunset

The Good Life Guy Wine of the Week:

The 2007 Van Duzer Estate Pinot Noir 
A fine balance of tannins, fruit and acid foretell incredible ageability and a wine that unfolds in complexity. Clear fruit notes of ripe Bing cherry, raspberry, cranberry and currents are matched by refined loamy earth and spice cabinet characters, filling the mouth with richness.
vanduzer wine2009 Van Duzer Estate Pinot Gris
Honey poached pear, Asian apple and lemongrass dance on the senses in this tangy crisp Pinot Gris. Two Pinot Gris clones complement each other, Clone 146 with its minerality and steely backbone, Clone 152 with its fruit and complexity. The near dry wine awakens the palate and proves a versatile pairing with spicy appetizers to lighter meats.

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