This week on Why We Cook, Erica examines our fear of the dark and offers a unique and slightly Asian chicken adobo recipe! Tune in and hear all about adobo, a process in which you brine meat in vinegar. Learn how you can make your own version of Erica's chicken adobo in 30 minutes or less! Also listen in as Chefsmartypants laments on the state of American Industrial Food and it's lack of darkness. This episode was sponsored by Hearst Ranch, the nations largest single source supplier of grassfed and grass finished beef.

This week on The Main Course, Patrick is joined by Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan of The Purple Yam & Cendrillon fame. Amy teaches listeners about food from the Philippines and how heritage meat plays a huge role in replicating the tastes and traditions of the tropical country. Learn about Ang Sariling Atin, an institute founded to teach connect the culinary heritage of the Phillipines and help develop the palates and cooking techniques of young chefs with an emphasis on "nature based" cooking. Learn why cooking with clay pots and banana leaves is so much better than aluminum pans and how the new wave of gastronomes and young chefs can re-connect with the heritage and traditions of the older generations. This episode was sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons

"Food from the Philippines is based on nature" - Amy Besa on The Main Course, 12/11/11

"Do you really think putting a bunch of MSG in your adobo will make it better?" - Amy Besa on The Main Course, 12/11/11

This week on The Food Seen Michael speaks to King Phojanakong of Kuma Inn and Umi Nom. King came to HRN studios with his wife, his parents, and (via telephone) his brother. With multiple generations and food cultures in one place, King explained about how growing up eating a mix of Thai and Filipino foods affected him growing up, and how it came to inform his cooking. The Phojanakong clan compare and contrast Thai and Filipino foods and eating traditions, and venture to name their favorite meals at Kuma Inn. Don't miss this intimate, multi-generational look at one of NYC's favorite ethnic-food masters. This episode was sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

New York City’s Craft Beer Week is just around the corner, beginning Friday, September 24th and running through Sunday, October 3rd. To kickoff the annual series, Whole Foods Market Bowery is hosting a beer and food pairing event in their Beer Room. Oskar Blues is on tap and Chef Jacques Gautier of Park Slope’s Palo Santo is cooking up one of his South American delights to accompany. Food tasting goes from 5 to 7 and beer will continue til 9. With a Craft Beer Week passport get $3 off a 64 ounce growler fill. Meet Chef Gautier Friday, September 24th and enjoy some special tastes, on tap and from the kitchen.

Photo: Chef King Phojanakong