Faith Middleton Food Schmooze

Cocktail writer Maggie Hoffman shares tips and tricks from the best bartenders in the country, along with recipes for fresh-tasting, nuanced, perfectly scaled-up cocktails crafted to fill pitchers and punch bowls for a party.

Faith and the gang talk to Francesco Brachetti, co-founder of the world’s first avocado bar, Avocaderia. He shares recipes for avocado burgers, crispy panko-crusted avocado wedges, and even an avocado chocolate mousse. Plus, learn about a new French white (in a box!) and what local farmer Craig Floyd is doing to end hunger in CT. You will be inspired.

Dr. Aaron Carroll discusses his book, The Bad Food Bible, and why you should be skeptical about alarming findings in the food study du jour. Plus, a home cook’s sunny lemon cake, and a restaurant recommendation from Sarah Nuland of the Sherwin B. Nuland Foundation for Palliative Care.

Pull together the most delicious weeknight pastas from pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients. Pasta guru Colu Henry shares recipes and tips from her cookbook, Back Pocket Pasta. Plus, everything you ever wanted to know about how to get to the heart of an artichoke.

Baker and natural storyteller Brian Noyes joins the party to share recipes and stories from the Red Truck Bakery Cookbook. Plus, the gang shares Mother’s Day brunch ideas and sips the new vintage of a favorite rose wine.

Listen back to Faith’s intimate conversation with Lidia Bastianich and support The Faith Middleton Food Schmooze® with your pledge. We’ll send you Lidia’s memoir, My American Dream, now out in paperback, as our thanks.

It’s a Food Schmooze® hour dedicated to the Instant Pot sensation. Why have home cooks put their slow cookers aside and jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon? (Even Faith has one now!). Bruce Weinstein, co-author of the blockbuster cookbook, The Instant Pot Bible, explains why Instant Pots have staying power and shares recipes for every size and model of Instant Pot.

Can you smell the coffee? This week, Faith and the gang are buzzing about their favorite coffee shops. Where do you go for a fantastic cup of joe? Coffee expert Jordan Michelman shares what he’s learned about coffee’s history, legendary coffee shops, coffee trends, and more.

What’s your go-to dinner on Meatless Mondays? Faith and chef Chris Prosperi dream up a panko-crusted Portobello mushroom burger with Gruyere melting down the sides. The gang goes whole-hog on meatless and plant-based meals this week! Food writer and chef Robin Asbell is our guest.

Meat-lovers rejoice! Faith and the gang celebrate meatloaf 1,000 ways—including a seafood, chicken, and meatless meatloaf—plus food writer and cookbook author Nik Sharma shares recipes for Margherita Naan Pizza, Sumac-Seared Scallops with Mostarda, and Spicy Chocolate Chip-Hazelnut Cookies, all from his beautiful debut book, Season. We’ll also talk to local chef Ben Zemmel, from Alforno in Old Saybrook, about what it’s like to take over a successful family restaurant.

Faith and the gang talk weeknight dinners on the fly. What do you cook when you can’t make a trip to the market? It’s the busy-night cooking challenge! Pam Anderson, author of How to Cook Without a Book is our guest. Do you have a simple tomato sauce you can turn into three different meals? If not, we’ve got a recipe for you!

Burger love abounds! We’re sharing your top burger picks and talking to Josh Welch, a CT cattle farmer and co-owner of Graze Burgers, a farm-to-bun burger restaurant. It’s an hour dedicated to everybody’s favorite pub food. Don’t miss it, or you’ll be in a pickle.

Faith and the gang talk to a soda historian about your favorite fizzy drink. You won’t believe the wacky soda flavors available now! Bacon? Ranch Dressing? Poutine? Plus, we read listener letters and talk to two special women who build community through food.

Barbeque. Brewery. Beergarten! The new Bear’s Smokehouse in New Haven is officially open and co-owners Jamie “the Bear” MacDonald and Jason Sobocinski join the party to talk about their new year-round destination for BBQ and beer lovers. Plus, a recipe for southern jar bread and an homage to the treasured cookbooks we’ll hold on to forever.

Ordering a bottle of wine in a restaurant can be tricky. Our wine experts share their best tips and tricks. Plus, chef Prasad Chirnomula of West Hartford’s INDIA joins the party, and we talk movies and recipes with Sri Rao, author of Bollywood Kitchen.