A Food Forest; Perfect Fondue; Nitrates in the Water

Guest Interview

A Citrus Oasis in Los Angeles ()

Rick Nahmias is the founder of Food Forward, LA's local nonprofit whose mission is to glean and distribute locally grown food from private homes and public spaces. They recently discovered Orcutt Ranch, a 24-acre rolling oasis in the San Fernando Valley with 600 citrus trees. You can participate in one of Food Forward's picks or visit Orcutt Ranch on your own.

You'll find information on their Can It! series and their April 14 Spring Melt fundraiser on our Good Food Blog.

Guest Interview

Hot and Cheesy ()

Clifford Wright is a noted cookbook author, and his latest book is Hot & Cheesy. He explains that most cheeses don't want to be cooked, but instead they want to be melted.

His recipe for Saffron Crepe Cake with Swiss Chard and Ricotta Cheese is not to be missed.

Music: "Soul Thing" by the Keith Mansfield Orchestra

Guest Interview

Market Report ()

Robert Wemischner is a professor of baking and pastry at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. He is the author of four cookbooks. His most recent book, The Dessert Architect, is now in its second edition.

He enjoys using peak season strawberries and cream infused with bay leaf in this Strawberry Gratin recipe.

Guest Interview

Fifty-Two Weeks and One Loaf ()

William Alexander spent a year pursuing the perfect loaf of bread. The results are captured in 52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust.

Guest Interview

Nitrates in California's Drinking Water ()

Sasha Khoka is the Central Valley Bureau Chief for KQED in San Francisco, and her reportage on living with nitrates in the Central Valley earned her multiple journalism awards. She explains what nitrates are, why people should be concerned and what the local communities are doing about it. Check out her multimedia reportage on living with nitrates.

Danny Merkley focuses on water issues and governmental affairs for the California Farm Bureau Federation. He says farmers are wary of impending regulation.

Maria Herrera is the community outreach coordinator for the Community Water Center in Visalia, where she educates and organizes local communities on the issues of safe drinking water.

Music: "Last Time Around" by Lay Low

Guest Interview

Bread and Butter Worth Paying For ()

Jonathan Gold visits Cooks County where Daniel Mattern is the chef and Roxana Jullapat is the pastry chef. Jonathan enjoys the hand cut tagliatelle, the roast pork loin, the cast iron bread and butter, the oat biscuits and pretty much all of their seasonal vegetable dishes and desserts.

Cooks County
8009 Beverly Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
323-653-8009

You can find all of Jonathan's restaurant suggestions on the Good Food restaurant map.

Music: "I Play for Keeps" by The DHMA

Guest Interview

A Food Forest Grows in Seattle ()

Margarett Harrison is the lead landscape architect for the Beacon Food Forest in Seattle. The seven-acre property will be free and open to all foragers for picking. Check out designs for the first planting as well as plans for the complete seven-acre site.

Music: "La Matriarca” (Bossa Nova) by Armando Trovailoli