Al Spoler

July 29, 2014 - Radio Kitchen - Market Galette

I've has become a big fan of taking vacations in Normandy, France.  There is something about the gentle Norman countryside that really appeals to me, and believe me you do eat well over there.  And one of the most popular items in Normandy threw Jerry a curve ball the first time I ever mentioned it, and that is the galette. 

Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60
Quality key:  * = good decent wine  ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine

La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast  2012 *1/2  $$
(Light, fruity, rounded, good every day pinot noir.)

La Crema Pinot Noir, Monterey, 2012 **  $$
(A bigger, earthier pinot noir with good complexity.)

Wild Ridge Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2011  ***  $$
(Impressive, full bodied, well balanced, nuanced.)

Champ de Reves Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2011  *** $$
(Very complex, great body, very elegant.)

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.

July 22, 2014 - Radio Kitchen - Heirloom Radishes and Carrots
    
Our national celebration has just past, so it's a good time to consider the great heritage America's farms have bestowed upon us.  During this season of tomatoes, corn and watermelons, it's easy to overlook a pair of bit players in the summer, and that would be radishes and carrots.   But we've now started to see some heirloom varieties of these garden greats.

William Hill Chardonnay, North Coast 2012 * $
(Nice basic chard, nothing fancy.)

Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay, Sonoma County 2011  *1/2 $
(A touch of complexity, good mid-level chard.)

St. Supery Estate Chardonnay, oak-free, Napa ** $
(Very nice, idiosyncratic chard, seems "German" in style.)

Arrowood Chardonnay, Sonoma County 2010 **1/2  $
(One of the classics, a steal at this price.)

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.

  July 15, 2014 - Radio Kitchen - Leeks, Green Onions and Garlic Scapes

Summer is a time for some pretty serious salad making and some pretty serious grilling.  Most salads need a little zing, and the various members of the onion family were put on earth to do just that.  And we shouldn't be surprised that a lot of these oniony veggies can serve multiple roles.  Chef Jerry Pelligrino of The Waterfront Kitchen filled us in on some of the things we should look out for.

Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60
Quality key:  * = good decent wine  ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine

Byron Chardonnay, Santa Barbara '12  *  $
(Very nice entry level chardonnay, good value.)

Byron Pinot  Noir, Santa Barbara '12  *  $$
(Very good varietal character, great value.)

Byron Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley '11  *** $$
(Creamy, rich, well balanced, textbook chard.)

  July 8, 2014 - Radio Kitchen - Baltimore Chef's Table    

In case you might not have noticed, Baltimore is developing quite a reputation as a town with some mighty good chefs.  And to prove the point a number of books have appeared lately featuring our talented cooks.  And we are very proud to see that you have made it into one of the newest books featuring the local team.
 

Quality key:  * = good decent   ** = very good    *** = superb

Schniederweisss clear whiskey , Germany 1/2*  
(A curiosity)

Mackmyra "The First Edition", Sweeden *
(Decent)

Penderyn, Wales 1/2*
(Scotch-like, big rich flavor)

Reisterbauer, Austria 1/2*
(Bourbon-like, uninspired)

July 1, 2014 - Radio Kitchen - Traveling Spice Kit

Summer is the time to travel and whether you travel within the state, hit the wide open highways of America or fly abroad, you're going to want to eat.  Of course, dining out is a big part of the fun of travel, but you might want to do a little home cooking too.

June 24, 2014 - Radio Kitchen - Rhubarb 
    
We've tipped into summer and the farms of Maryland are sending all sort of fabulous food to the markets.  One of the more dramatic vegetables you'll find out there this time of year is rhubarb.  The long, bright crimson stalks of rhubarb look incredible, but the problem always is:  what do you do with them?  And there's more to rhubarb than good old rhubarb-strawberry pie.