Enjoy 60 minutes of delicious radio in your choice of flavors: Live at Hy-Vee on Wednesday at 7pm in the Club Room, or spicing up the internet on the KRUU stream.

Our live show features health coach Emily Rose Shaw continuing her quest to make each one of us a healthy, vital human being by helping us make informed food choices.  That may sound pretty sterile, but actually the suggestions she has every week are quite tasty.  On the show stovetop we'll present a celebration of the flowering spring perennial-asparagus.  We're in the midst of that fleeting time of year when I eat asparagus every day for lunch and dinner.  Even I was impressed that today, three of us and a baby consumed three pounds of those luscious, thick, fresh-picked stalks. Hey, as a very close friend of mine says, "When it's over, all you can do is dream."

On KRUU at 100.1 FM you are really in for a treat.  Emily kicks off the show talking about the power of mushrooms.  (No , not those kind.)  Next up, I talk with Lisa Catherine Harper, co-editor of The Cassoulet Saved Our Marriage.  It's an engaging anthology of stories and essays from a wide variety of angles, and all centered around food, of course.  During our discussion, Lisa shared a bit of the creative process involved in putting together this collection with her co-editor, Caroline M. Grant.  Also, she gives us a peek into what motivated several of the contributors, including herself.

James Beard award-winning blogger, Elissa Altman follows Lisa's segment.  Elissa's blog is "Poor Man's Feast," and that is also the name of her recently released book.  Poor Man's Feast is a celebration of food, love, and transformation.  It's a perfect read; mixing a captivating personal story with the art of simple cooking, and some fun recipes representing quite a diverse variety of food.

These two books are all about sharing; the essence of cooking.  Pick them up, and baste yourself in their stories. You'll discover both personal and culinary enrichment.

A reminder:  If you want to receive our weekly emails with show information and other interesting stuff, send an email to greattaste@kruufm.com.  Put "Sign me up," in the Subject line. Great Taste show archives are here.  The live stream is here.  Fairfield Media Center videos are here.

There is so much going on lately during each show I can't even tell you about my recent eating adventures in Northern California, Las Vegas, and Mt. Vernon, IA.  That's a real teaser.

Live at Hy-Vee on Wednesday night we have two authors via Skype that I am very excited to have on the show.  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.

SPECIAL NOTE:  GREAT TASTE IS LIVE AT HY-VEE ON THURSDAY AT 7:00 PM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.

On the streaming show side tonight (Wednesday) we're replaying one of my favorite episodes.  Also, check out our health coach, Emily Shaw, talking about the magic of beans.

Don't you just love serendipitous moments?  I'm sitting at the counter facing the kitchen at Pago in Salt Lake City, and getting ready to enjoy a meal fixed by Phelix Gardner, one of my favorite chefs.  A couple walks in and is seated next to me.  Since I'm such a shy guy, I start talking to them immediately.  If they have in mind a romantic night out, my take is they should have asked to sit at a table for two.  Anyway, we make some small talk.  Phelix comes over with my first plate-two pieces of grilled bread, two cheeses, one jam and one marmalade.  "The jam and marmalade were made by the couple sitting next to you," he says with a grin.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THERE IS NO LIVE SHOW AT HY-VEE THIS WEEK. 

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE:  NEXT WEEK GREAT TASTE IS LIVE AT HY-VEE ON THURSDAY AT 7:00 PM.

Join us this Wednesday at 7:00 pm on KRUU for our annual Farmer's Market show.  There is a bounty of information about the upcoming market season, and some insights into what delicious varieties of veggies we can expect.  Our participants included Barb Grijalva, Back to the Basics, Claude Nicholson, Sharon's Produce, Kim Keller, Blooming Acres, Dixie and Bob Mettitt, Tenco Tomatoes, Ana Victoria Braun, local market promoter, Steve McLaskey, MUM Organic Farm, and Jan Swinton, Hometown Harvest.

Also, our health coach, Emily Rose Shaw continued her introduction to the GBombs with an introduction to how beans can play a critical role in improving our health.  We had some fun with that topic.

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.  At 8:10, the Indian Hills Culinary Crew takes over to cook up some of the dishes they've been working on in class.  It's twice the action this Wednesday because on April 24 the stage will stay dark.  I'll be in sunny California, but back on Thursday, May 2 (this keeps getting more confusing) with our next live show from the Hy-Vee Club Room, featuring Chef Sam Auen of Des Moine's Tacopacalypse cooking up his amazing and uncommon versions of the Mexican staple.

On KRUU at 7pm this Wednesday and replayed at 7am on Friday is our show featuring Chef Matt Steigerwald with the Iowa Source's Claudia Mueller and Nina Benjamin.  Matt came down last Wednesday from Mount Vernon where he runs the Lincoln Cafe and Lincoln Wine Bar, two of the most outstanding restaurants in the entire state.  Though the room was packed, it was an intimate experience as Matt shared his vision of what food means to him.  I learned a lot as it was obvious everything he was saying came straight from the heart.  There's plenty of information to digest for every home cook and/or aspiring professional.  Also, he cooked two tasty dishes using Middle Eastern spices-harissa cauliflower, and falafel with a yoghurt, goat cheese and lemon sauce.  Matt's promised to get me the recipes, and provide a list of some of his favorite cookbooks very soon.

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.

On the KRUU stream at 7:00 pm Wednesday is our show from last week.  That was a 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.

Get your fill of GREAT TASTE two ways on Wednesday.  Live at the Hy-Vee Club Room it's a star-studded cast of characters-Holistic Nutrition Coach Emily Rose Shaw, Chef Vanessa Allen, GMO expert Jeffrey Smith, and cornbread maker Joy Salmon with Cook for Good's Linda Watson via Skype. 

On the KRUU stream we're featuring "the knife guy" Jeffrey Elliot, and the Indian Hills Culinary Crew.  Jeffrey's career path to becoming a chef was fascinating, and after graduating from the Culinary Institute of America he worked in some of America's top kitchens.  He'll take the confusion and mystique out of choosing the right knives, and clue you in on what knives you actually need to make life a breeze in the kitchen.  Jeffrey is the author of the Zwilling J. A. Henckels Complete Book of Knife Skills:  The Essential Guide to Use, Techniques and Care.  The Henckels Professional Series knives are used in the Great Taste kitchen.

From knives we transitioned to pasta with Kellie Vetter making a gluten

-free ravioli that was filled with marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, ricotta, and parmigiano.  She served it with a butter and sage sauce.  Also, Kellie cranked out fettuccine and with the aid of Shannell Wallace and her two assistants, served that two ways-one plate with a simple red sauce, and the other featuring a cilantro pesto.  I'll post the recipes in the next few days, but if you listen closely the steps are all revealed during the broadcast.

The Great Taste Split Show Blog

LIVE AT HY-VEE IN THE CLUB ROOM AT 7:00 PM CT-Join the Indian Hills Culinary Crew for gluten-free pasta with two easy-to-make fresh sauces, and Jeffrey Elliot, author of the Zwilling J. A. Henckels Complete Book of Knife Skills:  The Essential Guide to Use, Techniques and Care gives us an introduction to the topic via Skype.  Watch a great video of Jeffrey here.

ON-THE-AIR AT 7:00 PM CT-http://kruufm.com/ is our discussion with James Beard award-winning author, Alan Tardi.  Alan talks with us about closing Follonico, his restaurant in New York City, moving to the region of Piemonte in Italy, and what it was like adjusting to a different culture.

Alan's Italian heritage and love of wine serve as entry points into his new life, and he has recounted the events of the first few years in his book, Romancing the Vine-Life, Love, and Transformation in the Vineyards of Barolo.  Now that he's spent a decade living in Piemonte, his reflections on both the viticulture and human culture make for a fascinating hour.   Check out some of Alan's articles on food, including his latest piece, Out on Lost Lagoon, here.

NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE:  GREAT TASTE IS LIVE FROM THE HY-VEE CLUB ROOM THIS WEEK, NOT FROM CARIBOU COFFEE!

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.

ON THE AIR: Get set for a jam-packed sixty minutes of Thai flavors.  Sean Hickey was our chef in-residence last week, and he turned out three sparkling dishes that wowed the live audience.