Food

This conversation originally aired on January 8th, 2012.

Audio for this segment will be available by the end of the day.

Did you know those pesky weeds in your garden could actually be edible?  Tom Hall talks with our garden guru Anne Raver about how to use nettles, dock (often found among potatoes), and wild sorrel.

Whether you're an Olympic athlete, a marathoner, or just thinking about running a couple miles, you're going to need food to fuel your body.  But what should you eat?  When, and how much?  Lots of extra carbs, or just the regular amount?  Is gatorade worth the purchase?

So far, this summer has been a scorcher. And what better way to cool down than with frozen treats? Chefs Henry Hong and John Shields return for a look at popsicles, ice cream and (what else?) snowballs.  Tips for making icy pops and ice cream. Special guest: Nathalie Jordi, co-owner of People's Pops, a New York-based producer of gourmet frozen treats.

What if Baltimore's vacant lots were transformed into half-acre farms, producing greens, onions, herbs, berries, honey and other fresh produce for residents and for the city's restaurants and markets? Urban farms are becoming increasingly popular in Baltimore and other cities. What does it take to run one, and could this be an option for revitalizing some abandoned areas and for reducing the number of "food deserts" in the city?

Midday Eats with Hong & Shields Diners Deluxe: what makes a diner a diner and a great one great, with Suzanne Loudermilk senior editor of Baltimore Magazine. Original airdate 04/13/12

Longtime Baltimore Sun columnist Rob Kasper, author of "Baltimore Beer: A Satisfying History of Charm City Brewing," traces the sudsy story from the days when alehouses lined the Jones Falls to the stories behind the current crop of local brewers who are fermenting a craft brew revival. With special guest: Beer consumer, aficionado and beer-can collector Joe "Turkey Joe" Trabert.

City dwellers, are you ready to get your hands dirty?  Get your spades and potting soil ready: we talk with garden guru Anne Raver about how to garden when all you've got at your disposal is a windowsill or a fire escape.  She talks about how to deal with brutal sunlight that windowsills can receive, as well as how much water to give those plants if you're fleeing the city on weekends.

This hour: Recipes to suit the season with Cindy, your wine questions answered by Tony, and both Tony and Cindy take the Midday Chef Challenge. Send your questions about cooking or wine in advance of the show to midday@wypr.org.