Faith Middleton Food Schmooze

New York Times columnist and food writer extraordinaire Melissa Clark joins the party to share recipes from her cookbook Dinner: Changing the Game. Also in this favorite from the archive, Chris Prosperi shares a recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage with a twist. Support the show.

Faith and the gang celebrate that ol’ American classic, meatloaf. Whether you like 100% beef, a meaty blend, or a meatless meatloaf, there’s a recipe idea here for every loaf lover. (Check out Yankee Magazine’s Meatloaf in a Brown Paper Bag!) Plus, food writer Nik Sharma joins the party with an Indian-spiced international meatloaf, as well as other recipes from his beautiful cookbook, Season. Nik shares recipes for Margherita Naan Pizza, Sumac-Seared Scallops, and Spicy Chocolate Chip-Hazelnut Cookies. Support the show.

This week, Faith and the gang talk to a soda historian about your favorite fizzy drink. You won’t believe the wacky soda flavors available now! Bacon? Ranch Dressing? Poutine? Plus, we read some listener letters and talk to writer Janet Reich Elsbach about building community through food. Her book is called Extra Helping. And, Sarah Leathers joins the party to discuss the important work the Healing Meals Community Project is doing right here in Connecticut.Support the show.

Italian importer Rolando Beramendi shares recipes for Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Cake and a luscious deconstructed pizza, minus the crust. You’ll want to dig in! Connecticut lawyer Carlo Forzani tells us about his dream to start a vineyard on his family property in Piemonte, Italy, and Alex Province brings us the flavors of the southwest. It’s a fun-packed hour for food lovers.Support the show.

New York Times bestselling author and host of Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, returns to The Faith Middleton Food Schmooze® to dish about her cookbook, Cook Like a Pro. Nobody throws a dinner party like Ina, so along with recipes you know will work, Ina shares all the tips and tricks she’s learned over the years for feeding and entertaining friends and family. You don’t have to be a chef to create dishes that impress. Cook with confidence! Ina’s got your back. Plus, we sip a romantic $20 Prosecco you'll want to try.   Support the show.

Faith and the gang share restaurant hot spots in this favorite from the archive, and Alex Province introduces Saumur, a lovely French white wine under $20. Fresh, with the right amount of acidity, it somehow worked with short ribs. Plus, Boston-based chef Matt Jennings joins the party to talk about his new cookbook celebrating New England, Homegrown. Get Matt’s recipes for Milk-Braised Chicken with Spiced Rice, Short Ribs with Moxie Beans, and a phenomenal Chocolate Beet Cake with Chocolate-Orange Glaze. Support the show.

It’s our potato spud-tacular. In this favorite from the archive, James Beard Award winning author Raghavan Iyer joins the party to share recipes from his cookbook Smashed, Mashed, Boiled and Baked—And Fried Too!  Yup. Ultimate French Fries, Hasselback Potatoes, and more. Plus, we’ve curated a few handy tips and product reviews from our favorite magazines, take a Super Bowl food quiz, and think of ways we can incorporate potatoes into our Super Bowl party spread.Support the show.

Happy Chinese New Year! To celebrate, we’re learning how to make homemade Chinese dumplings thanks to Max Falkowitz, co-writer of The Dumpling Galaxy Cookbook by the amazing Helen You. Also this week, the gang shares lots of ideas for sheet-pan dinners (that weeknight lifesaver), and wine broker Mark Raymond shares not one, BUT TWO lip-smacking wines at $10 each. The Finca el Origen Malbec Rosé (yes, a malbec rosé) and the Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc are pure, wholesome wines—and an absolute steal.Support the show.

One of Connecticut’s best chefs, Franco Camacho, joins the party for the whole hour in this favorite from the archive. Franco is Executive Chef for both Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill and Shell & Bones Oyster Bar in New Haven. Franco shares his secrets for the perfect guacamole and gluten-free pan-fried oysters. Plus, the gang discusses what makes a great restaurant server. Insider info about the restaurant biz abounds.Support the show.

Let’s get cozy! In this favorite from the archive, Faith and the gang talk to chef Gunnar Karl Gíslasen and Jody Eddy about how to incorporate the Danish practice of Hygge into our everyday lives. They share recipes and ideas from their cookbook, The Hygge Life, and we share our own most-hygge comfort meals. Think: Sunday red sauce, a cheesy béchamel, Linda Giuca’s Pastina, shepherd’s pie, and a good ol’ fashioned grilled cheese. Plus, we’re bringing Soave back. It’s a crisp Italian white wine we love. You will, too.Support the show.

Good things come in threes—the old adage couldn’t be more true when it comes to easy weeknight cooking. In this favorite from the archive, Faith and the gang share their favorite 3-ingredient meals that make weeknight dinners a breeze. Expect to hear some classic combos like avocado, crab, and tomatoes; potatoes, onions, and eggs (tortilla Española); spinach, garlic, and eggs; and broiled sausages and pear or grapes. Hungry yet? Also in this episode, Mark Raymond shares Passimento, the most romantic wine we’ve had since. . . well, last Valentine’s Day, and Julia Turshen, the writer and coauthor of some of your favorite cookbooks—no doubt—is off on her own with Small Victories. Julia shares recipes for her very popular Turkey + Ricotta Meatballs, Flounder with Roasted Tomatoes + Black Olives, and the stunning Happy Wife, Happy Life Chocolate Cake. SO worth pressing pause on that New Year diet.Support the show.

In this favorite from the archive, Faith and the gang riff on Lidia Bastianich’s Beef Roasted in Barolo Wine. Plus, Chris Prosperi uses leftover mashed potatoes to make simple crispy little latkes, and Faith describes the ultimate brisket sandwich. Alex Province shares a wine to sip by the fire, and offers up decorative ice ideas for a joyful party punch bowl. Support the show.

Faith and the gang celebrate Hanukkah with Leah Koenig, the author of Little Book of Jewish Feasts. Once you’ve tried Leah’s cinnamon-dusted fried chicken, you’ll never make fried chicken any other way. Plus, get the recipe for Balsamic and Brown Sugar Brisket and more of our favorite kitchen tips, including one from a listener in Old Lyme. Faith shares the results of a Cooks Illustrated taste test: Which butters are best? And she also tips you off to a New York City must-visit: Boulay at Home.Support the show.

Dorie Greenspan joins the party to talk about her cookbook, Everyday Dorie, in this favorite from the archive. Wouldn’t you love to cook like Dorie every day? Dorie shares recipes for Mediterranean Shepherd’s Pie, Bourbon-Roasted Pork Loin, and the most beautiful Triple-Layer Cranberry Cake you’ve ever seen. It’s a holiday showstopper. Plus, Faith and the gang respond to listener Jeffrey Fischer’s request for spices that would make great gifts. Dorie shares a few favorite gift ideas, too. There’s her Lemon Goop and beautiful cards by the California artist, Aliza Sokolow. Aliza hits the Santa Monica Farmers Market and starts snapping.Support the show.

Faith and the gang share recipe ideas—including Chicken, Bacon and Cheese Enchiladas, for your holiday potluck, in this favorite from the archive. Plus, one of the queens of baking, a.k.a. “dessert diva” Rose Levy Beranbaum shares tips and tricks for perfect chocolate chip cookies, as well as recipes for Gingerbread “Folks,” and her swoon-worthy Milk Chocolate Caramel Tart. Chris Prosperi raves about a new local discovery: Sandra’s Next Generation. It’s a soul-food hotspot where the owner cooks with love.Support the show.

Faith starts the show with a special announcement and reminisces about favorite past shows and guests. Then, Faith and the gang get grilling tips and techniques from grill master Jamie Purviance. Jamie’s latest book is Weber’s Ultimate Grilling. For newbie grillers, we’ll start with some basics, and work our way up. Think: weeknight steak and chicken recipes, plus a grilled banana split for dessert. Grill tips galore!Support the show.

Faith and the gang have ideas for reinventing Thanksgiving leftovers in this favorite from the archive, and Chris Prosperi explains step-by-step how to make perfect mashed potatoes. Plus, food writer and cookbook author Julia Turshen shares recipes—including roast turkey breasts and sheet-pan stuffing—from her book Now & Again.Support the show.

It’s our favorite time of year! Time to talk turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and wines to go along with Thanksgiving dinner. What are your Thanksgiving food traditions? What do you do to freshen up your holiday meal every year? We’re sharing ideas and stealing tips from Chris Prosperi, a man who makes Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of people every year. We’re big believers in stress-free holidays, so we’ve asked Lucinda Scala Quinn to share her “Straight-Talk Turkey” recipe, which is about the simplest bird you’ll ever roast. Plus, in this favorite from the archive, Faith offers up a make-ahead Shrimp and Pineapple Salsa Wrap to sub in for the rich appetizers you normally put out before the feast. Why overwhelm people? Recipes for Mediterranean Mashed Potatoes, Buttery Spice Poached Pears, an easy weeknight Trout, and a juicy $12 Pinot Noir to serve all through the holidays—all coming your way. Let’s get this holiday party started!Support the show.

All aboard! Colin Caplan takes Faith and The Food Schmooze® gang on a cocktail crawl through the streets of New Haven on The Elm City Party Bike. In this favorite from the archive, revelers (and peddlers) stop at Olea and BAR for appetizers, cocktails, pizza, and mico-brewed beer. It was the MOST fun! We toast our ride with an under-$20 sparkler that’s as delicious as Prosecco. After the ride, we head back in the studio to talk root vegetables and fall roasts. Support the show.

What little things can you do to make the grocery store checkout line move faster? Faith has some tips. And, it’s apple season! Make a super simple apple butter in the slow cooker. Plus, in this favorite from the archive, cookbook author Charlotte Druckman shares recipes for your cast-iron skillet.Support the show.