Episode 349: United States of Arugula

Those tangibles of the American food revolution — take-out sushi at the gas station, salads of organic baby lettuces and obscure herbs, star chefs, restaurants as Mecca — are no coincidence according to our guest David Kamp, author of The United States of Arugula: How We Became a Gourmet Nation. He believes a parade of freewheeling originals — from Julia Child to Michael Pollan — led us out of the culinary dark ages. We have the story.

The Sterns unveil a transcendental sweet potato pancake at Nashville's Pancake Pantry. Deborah Krasner talks culinary vacations and what you need to know before you hand over the credit card. Her new book The New Outdoor Kitchen: Cooking Up a Kitchen for the Way You Live and Play is due out in February.

It's the New York City burger war with Mike Colameco, our go-to guy in the Big Apple. Singer Alex Kapranos of the Franz Ferdinand band takes us on tour for a look at a rocker's road food. He's the author of Sound Bites: Eating on Tour with Franz Ferdinand.

Eli Winkleman tells the story behind Challah for Hunger, a national student organization addressing humanitarian issues in a unique way. Lynne shares her Homage to California Cuisine: Garlic Bread, Green Bean and Tomato Salad and a recipe for Carrots with Apricots and Pistachios. And the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

• January 13, 2007 (originally aired)

• February 2, 2008 (rebroadcast)