Emily Rose Shaw discusses berries.  Personally, I'm a big berry fan, and Emily clues us in on why they are so good for us, fresh versus frozen, and ways to prepare them. 

Our guest the remainder of the hour is Dr.Thimmaiah, an inspiring proponent of agricultural methods that enrich our environment and individual lives.  Dr. Tim, as I like to call him, has an infectious personality that will take enthrall you, and help you understand why and how everyone must assist in making our food system healthier.  As the advisor to the Bhutanese Ministry of Agriculture, and the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority, Tim is assisting that nation in its drive to have its farming community 100% organic by 2020.  He is an expert on organic, bio-dynamic, and Vedic agriculture, and advises governments in many other countries about the critical environmental and health issues surrounding the growing of food.  I need to mention he's also a terrific cook.  You can find his blog here.

First up is James Beard Award-winning author Elissa Altman.  Her newest book is Poor Man's Feast:  A Love Story of Comfort, Desire, and the Art of Simple Cooking.  I think you can understand Elissa's take on food by reading this excerpt from her website: 

 So, what is Poor Man’s Feast really about?
It’s about sustenance in the face of pretense.
It’s about authenticity in the face of the artificial.
It’s about simplicity in the face of the tarted-up.
It’s about kindness in the face of the rude.
It’s about storytelling — mine, my family’s, yours, your family’s — and how those stories are inextricably bound up with what we feed ourselves and those we love, what we eat at times of joy, sorrow, delight, surprise, fear, and sadness. And it’s always about slowing down a little bit.

Our second guest is Lisa Catherine Harper, one half of the editing team, along with Caroline Grant, that put together, The Cassoulet Saved Our Marriage: True Tales of Food, Family, and How We Learn to Eat.  The book brings to the table 29 different writer's perspectives on food, family, and learning to eat.  You will absolutely experience an emotional roller coaster reading this collection of essays, which, in its essence is about nourishing our body and spirit.  Lisa is the author of the award-winning book, A Double Life:  Discovering Motherhood.

For this week only our live show is on Thursday.  If you are local, make certain to grab a seat as our special guest is Chef Sam Auen of Tacopacalypse in Des Moines. Sam is bringing his special brand of zaniness to the Hy-Vee kitchen for "fun with tacos" where we'll get a jump on Cinco de Mayo.  I've eaten at Sam's place, and love his take on south of the border food.  It's not your usual taco, and you'll get a chance to hear what makes Sam cook, plus taste the results.

Crazy fun Wednesday coming up on GREAT TASTE LIVE. 

Two shows are on tap at Hy-Vee. 

First, at 7:00 pm it's our annual Farmer's Market preview. 

The market moves outside in two weeks, and we have some of the key players lined up to tell you what to expect. 

This Wednesday our LIVE show features Chef Matt Steigerwald of the Lincoln Cafe in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.  Many folks believe Matt has the best restaurant in the state.  I would not miss this one-in the Club Room at Hy-Vee, 7:00 pm sharp.

Claudia Mueller, publisher of The Iowa Source, will be there, along with Nina Benjamin, who wrote an article about Matt for the Source's March issue.

Kicking off the show is Emily Rose Shaw presenting part 2 of her "Ode to Spring Greens."  I almost forgot to mention that Matt's making Harissa cauliflower with local greens, as a nod to Emily's presentation, and a Charred eggplant falafel with goat cheese lemon yoghurt.

Live at Hy-Vee on Wednesday at 7:00 pm it's Italian food, fun, and family as we welcome SOFIA, the Society of Fairfield Italian Americans, to the show.  SOFIA members will share stories and treasured family recipes, plus they will prepare several dishes-farinata, minestra, fresh-baked Italian bread, and fried peppers Calabrese-style.  Join us in the Club Room for a celebration of Italian life.  Also, Emily Rose Shaw kicks off her new weekly health and nutrition segment with helpful information and tips on how to feel your best.

Emily Rose Shaw presents Part 1 of her "Ode to Spring Greens."

You can savor Emily's bitesize health segments every Monday at 6:30pm, Wednesday at 12:30pm, and Friday at 6:30am.

Live at the Hy-Vee Club Room A star-studded cast, 60-minute non-stop food happening.  Emily Rose Shaw started the hour with an introduction to her upcoming weekly health and nutrition appetizer segment.  She was followed by the queen of eating healthy and delicious on a food stamp budget, Linda Watson.  Jan Swinton provided the latest triumphs on the local food scene.  Joy Salmon introduced us to cornbread three ways.  Jeffrey Smith put in perspective how Whole Foods decision to label GMO's will play out in the rest of the food industry. And, chef Vanessa Allen prepared guacamole, slaw, and salsa to go along with her blackened fish tacos.  Whew!  Have fun listening.

We have a double dose of Italy planned on Wednesday live from the Hy-Vee Club room. 

James Beard award-winning author, Alan Tardi, joins us via Skype to discuss Piemontese cuisine, and his experiences after a decade of living in the Italian countryside.  Alan left his career as a chef in New York City, closing his fabulous Tuscan-style restaurant, Follonico, and moving to the Langhe Valley in Piemonte in 2003, a region known for its amazing grapes.

With Laurie Baumann's assistance, we'll prepare a couple of typical Piemontese delights.  Join us at 7:00 pm for a delicious and informative hour.