Oct 21 – Tessa Kiros “Now & Then”

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Guy

My first guest this week is Tessa Kiros, with her new book “Now & Then – A Collection of Recipes for Always.”

This is beloved food writer Tessa Kiros’s definitive reflection on a lifetime of cooking and eating.

With characteristic generosity of spirit, Tessa invites us into her kitchen to share what she’s cooking now: an exciting blend of new discoveries and enduring favorites that connect the threads of her life. While the Tuscan countryside has been Tessa’s home for more than 20 years, her culinary influences are wonderfully diverse: her childhood in South Africa, travels to Mexico and New Orleans as a young adult, frequent visits to family in Thailand and Greece, all overlaid with a growing appreciation for lighter, more grounded plant-focused eating.

This quintessential collection of more than 150 new recipes is accompanied by Tessa’s personal reflections and favorite food memories. Longtime fans will rejoice in her best work yet, and aspiring young cooks will quickly discover how and why she has redefined the modern cookbook. Part memoir, part travel guide, part food odyssey, Now & Then provides endless inspiration for recipes that reflect Tessa’s culinary past, present and future.

Food writer Tessa Kiros’ upbringing and lifelong wanderlust has seen her collect culinary experiences from all over the world. Born in London to a Finnish mother and Greek-Cypriot father, she grew up in South Africa. After many years travelling and working she settled with her husband Giovanni in Italy, where they raised daughters Yasmine and Cassia. She divides her time today between Italy and Greece. Now & Then is her eleventh cookbook.  Learn more here!

Later I’ll be talking to my good friend Don Cary, entrepreneur extraordinaire. Don is the founder of All Things Barbeque (atbbq.com) and the creator and owner of Yoder Smokers built here in Kansas.  The consummate business man, Don is always looking for ways to expand his business here in Wichita and continues to provide the most used competition barbecue smokers by top winners in the USA.

Good Life Guy & Don Cary at ATBBQ

Don and wife Kathy are the power and leadership of ATBBQ in Delano (818 W Douglas Avenue) and have now opened a new location on the West side of Wichita at 5215 W. Central.  Now there are two locations for the outdoor cooking enthusiast to find everything from outdoor kitchens, the leading outdoor cooking appliances, seasonings, spices, rubs, cutlery, patio furniture and so much more. ATTBBQ is the grilling mecca, for anyone!  Visit either location and sign up for the weekly email postings.  The staff Chef Tom Jackson posts numerous recipes and high quality how-to videos. www.atbbq.com for more information and to sign up for the Ultimate Holliday Giveaway  for a chance to win over $10,000 in prizes.  Follow ATTBBQ on Facebook!

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel
Intense aromatics of currant and plum are complemented by savory notes of black olive, anise and allspice. A bright entry of briary black raspberry gives way to a bold palate of supple, lively tannins and a powerful, lingering finish. Pair with rich and meaty short ribs, braised pork belly, or gnocchi gorgonzola. Blend: 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante, 4% Mixed Reds. ABV15%

 

Wine Spectator 92
Plush in texture, this Zin is generous with blackberry and cherry flavors that draw in accents of briar patch, black pepper and toasty cinnamon as it finishes with zesty tannins. Drink now.

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Oct 13 – American Vinegar Works

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Guy

This week it’s all about craft vinegar produced here in the USA by the American Vinegar Works.  My guest is Rodrigo Vargas, founder and proprietor of this interesting company.  Rodrigo says: “We make great vinegar because we love to use great vinegar. We are artisanal makers dedicated exclusively to the small batch fermentation of vinegars that enhance cooking and cocktails.”

We are living in a renaissance of incredible American craft fermentation. Throughout the country we are fortunate to find exciting and authentic options for beer, cider, sake, and wine. And yet for quality American vinegars there are barely any options and we are left to make do with mass-produced products, subpar imports or caramel-added balsamics. We asked ourselves why should vinegar – something that changes our very experience of food and beverages – be ignored?

American Vinegar Works is the answer and shows what a thoughtfully made vinegar can be. This novel approach combines traditional techniques with a forward-looking vision to produce unique vinegars that transform our cooking and our cocktails.

It Starts With Great Ingredients
Alcohol is the base ingredient for all high quality vinegars.  The better the base alcohol, the better the vinegar.   Because of this, they do there best to select only American wines, beers and ciders that reflect regional taste profiles and emphasize quality.  They spend the time to find ingredients that inspire, and you can taste the difference.

And Focus on Great Craft
Modern vinegar production has come a long way. “In our opinion, it has come a little too far. Even ‘premium’ labeled vinegars are often produced at an industrial scale that short-cuts the fermentation process to hours instead of the needed months or years.” While the bottle may be pretty, often the end result is a one-note vinegar lacking depth of flavor and overwhelmingly acidic.

They have gone a different way. Embracing the value of time and reviving a production method from the early 1800s to create vinegars that are naturally fermented and deliver complex flavors. All of their vinegars are produced, aged and bottled in the vinegar works in the Bay State. No outsourcing, no co-packing, no short cuts. It takes more effort, it takes more time… but the results are brilliant!

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2021 De Vins El CEP “OT”
100% Xarel-Lo (the main grape used in Cava production), this wine is bright and feisty with prickly acidity. The palate is faintly floral but driven by citrus and white peach fruit notes. A great aperitif or an awesomely refreshing sipper for an afternoon in the park. Certified organic.
Review Logo

91pts

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Oct 7 – LATINISIMO

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Guy

A repeat guest this week, Sandra Gutierrez has a new book “LATINISIMO – Home recipes from the Twenty-One Countries of Latin America.”

An encyclopedic cookbook (from Chiles Rellenos and Tostones to Golden Coconut Chicken and Dulce de Leche Tart) celebrating Latin American home cooking—the first to cover the day-to-day home cooking of all twenty-one nations—by one of the most respected authorities on the subject

“As practical and day-to-day useful as it is revelatory . . . A book to treasure today and to pass on to a new generation of cooks tomorrow.” —Dorie Greenspan, New York Times bestselling cookbook author

In this monumental work, culinary expert Sandra A. Gutierrez shares more than three hundred everyday dishes—plus countless variations—that home cooks everywhere will want to replicate. Divided by ingredient—Beans, Corn, Yuca, Quinoa, and almost two dozen more—and featuring an extensive pantry section that establishes the fundamentals of Latin American cooking, Latinísimo brings together real recipes from home cooks in Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.  Get a copy NOW!

SANDRA A. GUTIERREZ is a journalist, food writer and historian, professional cooking instructor, and author of four cookbooks. She is considered one of the top national experts on Latin American foodways and on the Southern regional cuisine of the United States. She has been awarded the Les Dames D’Escoffier M. F. K Fisher Grand Prize Award for Excellence in Food Writing and her work has been recognized as part of the permanent FOOD exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. She lives in Cary, NC.

Follow Sandra on X and Facebook

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2020 Torneo “The Tournament” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina
Harvested from select vineyards in Mendoza, the fruit is gently pressed and fermented in open top fermenters.  The juice is then aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels.  Aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and toasted oak lead to rich Cabernet flavors with a long finish.  ABV 13.5%

 

Available at Jacob Liquor Exchange
North Rock Road – Wichita Kansas

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Sep 30 – Amazing Woodwork Art

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Guy

My guest this week is good friend Kent Burnett talking about his incredible woodwork and some of the very special works of art he has put together.  Follow Kent on Facebook!

Ken says “Life has proven to be an interesting mix of eclectic emotions and experiences.  First, was my visual expressions via photography.  Three words were re-occurring themes through-out that career:  passion, grace and fire.”

“Photography is still a wonderful experience, but there always seemed to be a missing element.   With few exceptions, my work was not something which would stand the test of time, as it was geared towards advertising and commercial products.”

“I wanted to do something that would last long after my presence is gone and add a degree of beauty to the world around me.  This quest has brought a new passion to my life, the incredible experience of working with woods.  Such feelings pushed me into the grace of curves and flow, not normally found in wood designs.  Hopefully, my passion and grace in design will ignite a fire of emotion in all who take time to “see through my eyes”.

Here are a few of Kent’s pieces of art:

 

 

 

 

 

…

Later in the show we’ll be talking about a new addition to Old Town – Insomnia Cookies. Who doesn’t like cookies?

Insomnia Cookies, the beloved cult brand known for serving warm cookies all day and late into the night, is set to open its first store in Wichita. The new bakery, located just outside of Union Station and within walking distance of the Old Town District, marks the brand’s third store in Kansas and 250th location nationwide.

Here to the rescue when that craving for something sweet hits (even at 3 a.m.!), Insomnia Cookies offers in-store, pickup, and delivery options for customers to experience the company’s signature warm, delicious cookies. From the Classic Chocolate Chunk cookie to favorites like Snickerdoodle and Confetti Deluxe, delicious Cookies IN Ice Cream flavors, decadent brookies, brownies, and blondies, a full slate of vegan options, and a frequently-rotating limited-edition menu, the brand’s offerings satisfy every sweet tooth – warm or cold.   Address: 701 E. Douglas Ave. Unit A, Wichita, KS 67202

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2020 Delille Cellars Métier Cabernet
An inviting, smooth wine with black cherry and plum aromas pouring from the glass. Flavors of bold dark fruits and charming notes of baking spice combine with a juicy midpalate and pleasantly firm, dry finish. Best paired in the company of family and friends, Métier offers a balance of structure and approachability that can accompany a wide variety of foods. ABV14.1%

WE91 – Wine Enthusiast  
Appealing, direct aromas of blueberry, plum, green pepper and cumin lead to plump, accessible blue-fruit flavors. Soft tannins back it all up. It brings a whole lot of undeniable appeal, made in a forward, accessible style.  Editors’ Choice

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Sep 23 – The Whistling Kettle

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Guy

My guest this week is Kevin Borowsky founding owner along with his wife Meahgan of The Whistling Kettle

Troy, NY proprietors Kevin and Meahgan Borowsky debuted the Whistling Kettle luxe loose leaf tea brand twenty years ago, saying farewell to high profile NYC careers. Their entrepreneurial growth story reverses the convention of the bricks and mortar leading to an online store: the duo popularized their distinct tea brand with such success that it supported their first tea focused restaurant in NY’s destination village of Ballston Spa, just south of Saratoga Springs.  Three tea centric cafes located in Ballston Spa, Troy and Schenectady offer a modern interpretation of the traditional afternoon tea with a retail selection including a ‘Great Wall of tea’ with over 100 varieties. 2023 sees the opening of a new tea bar and retail shop located at their headquarters in Albany, NY. The Whistling Kettle Teas are sold nationally, and the in-house team actively sources tea from small farms from all over the world to blend their unique and continually evolving array of flavorful teas to support their mission of creating luxury teas, sustainability and at a fair price.

“Step through our doors and you’ll know we’re just not another tea shop. Our story started in 2004 when we decided to quit our jobs in New York City and follow our entrepreneurial spirits. Drinking tea became our one of our habits, but there weren’t any consumer friendly stores to buy tea locally. The tea businesses at the time were based on a 19th century model. There were plenty of coffee shops – but what about tea?” Follow on Facebook.

Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2016 Viña Gormaz Crianza from Ribera Del Duero 
100% Tempranillo fermented at a controlled temperature of 83º F for 10 days. After the fermentation process, the wine is macerated for 10 days. After the malolactic fermentation is complete, the wine is transferred to French and American oak barrels (new and previously used) for 14 months. The wine is then aged for 8 months in bottle before release. ABV14%

Tasting Notes: Intense ruby red color. Ripe fruit aromas with hints of cocoa and roasted coffee. A touch of sweet fruit on the palate with a backbone of tannins and a little acidity makes this a complex and balanced crianza.

Wine Enthusiast 92!

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