This week on A Taste of The Past, Linda explores the gastronomic history and traditions of the Chinese New Year with culinary instructor and author of RedCook.net , Kho Kian Lam. They discuss the symbolism behind food items such as fish and dumplings, explore the differences between northern and southern Chinese cuisine and unveil some preparation methods for sticky cake. This episode was sponsored by Fairway Market – like no other market. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...
Feb 03, 2011•32 min•Ep. 49
This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda is joined by Moroccan born author and cooking instructor, Kitty Morse. Kitty’s latest book, “A Biblical Feast: Ancient Mediterranean Flavors for Today’s Table”, is as much a history book as it is a cookbook. Tune in and learn more about how and what people ate in Biblical times, the origins of fish sauce, and what makes real Ezekiel bread. This episode was sponsored by The Barterhouse. For more information visit www.thebarterhouse.com See Privacy Policy at...
Jan 27, 2011•39 min•Ep. 48
This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda explores the history of the modern kitchen. Joined by food journalist and culinary historian Meryle Evans, Linda tells the story of the kitchen from its basement beginnings to its growth into a “perfect work triangle”. Tune in and hear the stories behind some of the most commonly used and overlooked kitchen tools such as Tupperware, Chemex & ice cream scoops. This episode was sponsored by Route 11 / Tabard Inn. For more information visit www.rt11.com S...
Jan 20, 2011•38 min•Ep. 47
This week’s discussion on A Taste of the Past focuses on curry, one of the most widley used – and misused – terms in the culinary lexicon. Joining Linda is Colleen Taylor Sen, a food historian and journalist specializing in the cuisine of India. Linda and Colleen trace the history of curry, from the East India Trading Company to British fast food chains. Tune in and learn what should and shouldn’t be considered curry and how curry leaves differ from curry powder. This episode was sponsored by Ca...
Jan 13, 2011•33 min•Ep. 46
This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda is joined by trained sushi chef, restaurant consultant, cooking instructor, and cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo. Linda and Hiroko discuss the tradition of “good luck round food” for the new year along with the ceremonious pounding of the mochi. Tune in and learn more about Japanese cuisine and its role in Western culture. Also find out whether or not lobster should be eaten on New Years Eve. This episode was sponsored by Cochon555 – learn more at www.cochon5...
Jan 06, 2011•34 min•Ep. 45
This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda welcomes historian, master mixologist and author David Wondrich back to the show. David’s latest book, “Punch: The Delights and Dangers of the Flowing Bowl”, explores all things related to punch; from its cloudy origins to its varied techinques and variates. David and Linda discuss the book and taste a two-year aged Norfolk Milk Punch on-air. Tune in to learn more about the incredible story of the most important social beverage of our time. This episode wa...
Dec 23, 2010•37 min•Ep. 44
Explore the history of Malaysian food this week on A Taste of the Past with Linda Pelaccio. Linda is joined by guest Susheela Raghavan, author of Flavors of Malaysia: A Journey Through Time, Tastes, and Traditions. Susheela discusses the history of Malaysia and how food ties into the everyday life of the Malaysians. Tune in and find out why not all Malaysian food is hot and spicy, and why the vendor is such an important part of Malaysian culture. This episode was sponsored by Tekserve & The ...
Dec 16, 2010•37 min•Ep. 43
This week on A Taste of the Past, Linda is joined by author and wok master Grace Young. Her latest book is Stir-Frying to the Sky’s Edge, a book that explores everything from the origins and health benefits of stir-frying to the technique’s great economy of time and fuel. Linda and Grace discuss the history of both stir-frying and the wok, and how American culture has reshaped how we see both. Tune in to learn which cookware is the best to stir fry with, how immigrants adapt when they can’t find...
Dec 09, 2010•38 min•Ep. 42
Celebrate Hanukkah on a special episode of A Taste of the Past! Linda is joined by Rabbi, historian and author Gil Marks, author of The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food. Gil gives a brief history of Hanukkah and explains how it came to become a prominent and celebrated holiday in modern times. He also takes us on a historical tour of some traditional dishes such as latkes and matzoh. Tune in for some truly encyclopedic knowledge on Jewish food. This episode was kindly sponsored by our friends at 360 ...
Dec 02, 2010•35 min•Ep. 41
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda sits down with multiple James Beard award winner and author of over a dozen cookbooks Rozanne Gold. They discussed Rozanne’s new book “Radically Simple”, a cookbook that focuses on clean, neat, healthy, and simple recipes, some of them approaching revolutionary in their simple treatment of some classic dishes. Tune in to learn how to make a perfect roast chicken with only one ingredient (chicken). This episode was sponsored by Cabot Cheese of Vermont, Dairy...
Nov 18, 2010•35 min•Ep. 40
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda tackles Thanksgiving, and journeys back to discover some of the original recipes used when the Plymouth Crew and the locals got together to celebrate the harvest. Joining Linda on this trip through the past is Sarah Lohman, an artist, author, and “historic gastronomist”: one who re-creates recipes from days of yore exactly as they were, essentially engaging in taste-time-travel. Tune in for some surprising revelations about the history of Turkey Day and wha...
Nov 11, 2010•34 min•Ep. 39
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda speaks to master forager Connie Green. Recommended by Martha Stewart Living and co-author of “The Wild Table: Seasonal Foraged Food and Recipes”, Connie knows a thing or two about foraging. Learn how Connie is spreading the word about why foraging is not the scary undertaking some think it is. Learn why chanterelles are simultaneously universally sought and yet, in a way, not hard to find. Also learn about TheWildTable.net, your source for mycological and f...
Nov 04, 2010•34 min•Ep. 38
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda talks all things apple with Erik Baard a writer and an advocate for Newton Pippin apples, long considered the Cadillac of apples. Baard explains how the Pippin–fairly gross when eaten off the tree–sugars after a month or two, making it perfect for today’s exporters or yesterday’s original US colonists. Lauren Soutiere, a pastry chef at the Northern Spy Food Co., calls in to talk apple pie, including how to choose the best pie-worthy apples. This episode was...
Oct 28, 2010•34 min•Ep. 37
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda delves into the luxurious world of the truffle, and speaks to Vincent Jeanseaume of Sabatino Tartufi. Vincent and Linda take a look at the many varieties of truffle available (or not-so-available), why truffle oil is only a half-accurate moniker, and the many delicious things Vincent and others can do with this versatile fungus. Linda also relates a personal experience involving a hundred dollar stinky Italian truffle. This episode was sponsored by White Oa...
Oct 21, 2010•36 min•Ep. 36
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda speaks to Susan Yager, author of “The Hundred Year Diet”, an examination of America’s obsession with dieting, going back over a hundred years. Susan took a look at “fad” diets from the past and present; everything from an old timey obsession with extreme mastication to the recent Atkins, South Beach, and other diets that briefly made headlines only to fade into obscurity. This episode was sponsored by Edwards of Surry Virginia. See Privacy Policy at https:/...
Oct 07, 2010•39 min•Ep. 35
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda talks salt, pepper, and spice: currency, commodity, and culinary aid. Author and culinary historian Michael Krondl breaks down the roles that specific spices played in their respective empires; the English and Dutch colonies that were built to trade it, Venice as a spice-stuffed world financial hub, and how many peppercorns made a nickel. Plus Krondl reveals that the cinnamon in your cupboard is an impostor. This episode was sponsored by Fairway: like no ot...
Sep 30, 2010•39 min•Ep. 34
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda speaks to Joe Bastianich & his sainted mother Lidia Bastianich for a discussion about Eataly. The largest artisanal Italian food and wine marketplace in the world, Eataly is the brainchild of Mario Batali, the Bastianichs, and Oscar Farinetti, founder of the original Eataly in Turin. Tune in to find out how the project came together and for a break down of the immense scope of this wildly successful undertaking. Find out how Joe is handling selling ever...
Sep 23, 2010•28 min•Ep. 33
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda explores the very American tradition of tailgating. Follow tailgating from the chuck wagon to the station wagon as Linda looks back as far as the Civil War to find the roots of the tailgate. Joining her is Dave Joachim, author of “A Man, A Can & a Plan” and “Mastering the Grill”, a tailgate enthusiast and expert who revels in the ingenuity and community of tailgaters and their technology (eg. parking lots with outlets for each space). This episode was s...
Sep 16, 2010•30 min•Ep. 32
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda spoke to “Hoppin John” Taylor, master of “low-country” cooking. The low country is the coastal area of the Carolinas originally settled by wealthy plantation owners from Barbados. After French Huguenots and Mediterranean Jews settled along with an influx of West African slaves, a cultural and culinary melting pot resulted, giving the US its first taste of a huge range of foods and dishes. This episode was sponsored by Fairway: like no other market. Photo 1:...
Aug 19, 2010•35 min•Ep. 31
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda sat down with Holley Bishop. Bishop wrote “Robbing the Bees”, a book about the history of beekeeping and her own experience helping bee-keepers “rob” hives of honey. For some further bee-keepery Linda and Holley were joined by Roberta’s own Eddie Diaz and Brandon Hoy, who have been keeping bees in Williamsburg and Bushwick for well over a year now (and well before its current status as a legal hobby kicked in). Tune in for an engrossing look at the surprisi...
Aug 12, 2010•45 min•Ep. 30
This week, author Kara Newman, author of “Spice and Ice”, stops by to announce the second golden age of the cocktail. She and Linda wade through mixed drink mythology to discuss the first cocktail, the origin of household drink names,dilution, infusion, and the tiki aesthetic. The show heats up as they break out the sangritas and talk about adding spice to your drink and your evening. This show is brought to you by Hearst Ranch. Photo: Spice & Ice by Kara Newman See Privacy Policy at https:/...
Aug 05, 2010•34 min•Ep. 29
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda spoke to Barbecue Bible (blog and book series) author Steven Raichlen about the only international food “woven into our human fabric”: BBQ. Steven has traveled the world investigating, written eight books about, and hosted his own show on PBS regarding BBQ, and knows a thing or two about a thing or two regarding grilled meat and the “slow and low”. Tune in for an illuminating look at BBQ’s history, future, and how our local traditions have grown from and me...
Jul 22, 2010•31 min•Ep. 28
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda spoke to Jane Ziegelman, author of the book “97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement”. The focus of the show was the process by which American palates have benefitted from the cookbooks immigrants brought over from native lands at the turn of the last century. For many immigrant families, compiling family recipies and passing them down from generation to generation was a time honored tradition, and thanks to dedicat...
Jul 15, 2010•34 min•Ep. 27
Jimmy Carbone spoke to Linda about beer’s history as a medicinal aid, German purity laws and why they can help or hinder international beer, and how the next generation of kids growing up with the burgeoning craft beer movement will push the art of brewin See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jun 24, 2010•35 min•Ep. 26
This week on Taste of the Past Linda spoke with Seamus Mullen of Boqueria & Boqueria Soho. They discussed the many regional cuisines of Spain and why its no longer cooler to get your food Fed-Ex from far off lands than from a small farm upstate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jun 10, 2010•32 min•Ep. 25
Linda talks about the trials and tribulations of the devoted Locavore with Amy Cotler, author of “The Locavore Way”. Amy speaks about tried and true techniques to deal with the more confounding issues linked to locavorism, and why its worth the trouble. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Jun 03, 2010•35 min•Ep. 24
Linda speaks to Gabriel Ross, chef and charcoutier at Dickson’s Farmstand Meats in Chelsea Market, NYC. Get the skinny on bacon and the history of cured and smoked meats here and abroad! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
May 27, 2010•36 min•Ep. 23
This week on A Taste of the Past Linda spoke with two masters of frozen delights. Jon Snyder of Il Laboratorio del Gelato and Jeri Quinzio, author of “Of Sugar and Snow” stopped by with some delicious insight into the history and future of ice cream. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
May 20, 2010•33 min•Ep. 22
Linda sits down with author, horticulture legend and the worlds premiere vegetable gardener Amy Goldman. Amy also serves as the Board Chair for Seed Savers exchange, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving heirloom plant varieties. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
May 13, 2010•31 min•Ep. 21
Trevor Gulliver of St John stops by to talk Nose To Tail Philosophy, and preview some of the new projects that he and Fergus Henderson have planned. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
May 06, 2010•28 min•Ep. 20
