Happy New Year to everyone!  I'm looking forward to a tasty one.

We're going to set the stage for Great Taste's programming in 2013 with a treat that celebrates tradition, family, and baking.  Al Davis' father started baking rugelach commercially in 1939.  The crescent-shaped pastry's origin is unclear, but it definitely is part of the Ashkenazic or Eastern European Jewish kitchen culture.  The word "rugala" is Yiddish, probably derived from a Polish word meaning horn or corner.  Its food heritage may come from a Romanian pastry.

Wherever or whenever it came from, the little bites of dough, butter, cream cheese, and various fillings are delightful and addicting.  Al's bringing some just-baked rugelach to the Hy-Vee Club Room, plus he'll teach us how to prepare the pastry in our home kitchens.

Warning:  Eat before you tune in!

It is with the utmost concern that I begin this blog post with the above admonition.  Over the years, I have issued this same counsel many times, and always with a valid reason.  After all, every Great Taste listener is important to me. 

For over four months in San Francisco, our own Heli Claire Witherspoon has been learning the ancient art of turning flour into delicacies that captivate the eyes and taste buds.  We'll explore with Heli and her friend, Alden Hockett, the rigors of the baker's craft, what critical pieces of information they've picked up, and get some tips on baking at home.

In the second half of the show, Molly Aronica reports in from New York where she is the restaurant editor for the popular blog, The Daily Meal.  I'm determined to find out during our discussion what it takes to put together a comprehensive blog post on a daily basis.  Also, Molly was kind enough to put together a list of her favorite casual New York dining spots recently for some friends of mine.  She'll share those recommendations, in case you're planning a trip to the Big Apple.

As always, food in the studio for those lucky folks who stop by.  Streamers, you can listen here to the most delicious 60 minutes on the radio.

New Year's resolution to eat healthier and have more fun in the kitchen? GREAT TASTE is here to help you along.

TUNE IN FROM 7-8 PM AND WE'LL GET YOU UP TO SPEED ON BAKING FRESH BREAD IN YOUR HOME

Eric Rusch, co-founder with his wife, Denyce, of Breadtopia will share some tips guaranteeing an easy road to successful baking.