Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio - podcast cover

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

Milk Street Radiowww.177milkstreet.com

Every week, Milk Street Radio travels the world to find the most fascinating stories about food—a detective who tracks down food thieves and a look inside the most famous (and often scandalous) restaurant kitchens—and interviews with culinary icons such as José Andrés, Padma Lakshmi, Jacques Pépin, and Marcus Samuelsson. And on Milk Street Radio you can always find the unexpected: the comedian who ranks apples using an elaborate 100-point system, the scientists who study if vegetables have souls, and the journalist who reveals the world’s 10 biggest food lies. We also answer our listeners’ cooking questions, find out how to make the perfect cup of coffee, and share how to eat your way through Italy.

Episodes

Thanksgiving Special: Turkey Hotline, Pies, Mashed and a Rogue Turkey!

Our Thanksgiving special is here! Jet Tila returns to take your calls, Dan Pashman constructs the ultimate plate, Rossi Anastopoulo reveals the secret history of pie in America, our Milk Street culinary team gives mashed potatoes a makeover, and we hear what Jacques Pépin, Carla Hall, Dorie Greenspan, and more friends are looking forward to on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, we share the shocking story of a turkey that antagonized an entire city. Click here for The Many Ways Milk Street Makes Mashed Pot...

Nov 17, 202352 min

Madhur Jaffrey: Sucking Mangoes and Chewing Bones

Madhur Jaffrey joins us and shares memories from mountain picnics in the Himalayas, her favorite way to enjoy a mango and stories from her career as a film and food star. Plus, we make Turkish-Style Flaky Flatbreads and journalist David Johns tries to find out—could ice cream actually be good for you? Get this week’s recipe for Turkish-Style Flaky Flatbreads here . We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, secret ingredients or unexpected techniques with us for a chance to he...

Nov 10, 202351 min

Mofongo, Pinchos and Campbell’s Soup: The True Story of Puerto Rican Food in the Diaspora

Illyanna Maisonet takes us on a culinary journey through Puerto Rico and its diaspora. She reveals the secrets to her guava barbecue sauce, the only flan she’ll ever eat and the best way to cook rice. Plus, Kim Severson tells us about the rise of salvage food stores, we make Aguachile Negro, and Adam Gopnik asks—what do we do when our favorite places close? (Originally aired October 21, 2022.) Get this week’s recipe for Mexican-Style Shrimp in Chili-Lime Sauce here. We want to hear your culinary...

Nov 03, 202351 min

The Poison Garden: Is Alnwick Castle Trying to Kill You?

We venture inside the Alnwick Poison Garden to find the world’s most dangerous plants––including some common fruits and vegetables with a sinister side. Guide Tom Pattison takes us on a tour and offers up tales of deadly accidents, hallucinogenic honey and the case of the Curry Killer. Plus, Tristan Donovan reveals how soda changed the world, Dan Pashman reimagines breakfast cereal, Cheryl Day tackles your baking dilemmas, and we make Upside-Down Cardamom-Spiced Plum Cake. Get this week’s recipe...

Oct 27, 202351 min

The Secrets of Cooking Fish with Eric Ripert

This week, we get a seafood masterclass from one of the world’s greatest chefs, Eric Ripert. He also explains why sauce is the hardest technique to master and reflects on the moment he decided to change the way he ran Le Bernardin. Plus, Milk Street’s science editor, Guy Crosby, joins us to answer our most pressing food science questions, and we uncover the true origins of Chicken Kyiv. Get this week’s recipe for Chicken Kyiv here . We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, s...

Oct 20, 202351 min

Granny Smith Is Vile and Wretched! Apple Tasting Reveals Shocking Reviews

This week, your favorite apples get ranked, mercilessly . Find out which apples comedian Brian Frange deems “horse food” and “indigestible filth,” and which crisp, glorious apples rise to the top of the heap. Plus, reporter Katie Thornton joins us to discuss the history and ingenuity of the Frankfurt Kitchen, the blueprint for space-saving kitchen design; Adam Gopnik revels in the alchemical wonder of stovetop cooking; and we make Indian-Spiced Smashed Potatoes. Get this week’s recipe for Indian...

Oct 13, 202351 min

From Doro Wat To Jollof Rice: Marcus Samuelsson On The Rise Of Black Cooking

We chat with chef and TV host Marcus Samuelsson about his childhood in Ethiopia, his adoption by Swedish parents and the rich complexity of the Black experience in America, from cooking to culture. Plus, Joe Berkowitz reveals secrets from the little-known world of cheesemaking; Bianca Bosker gives us a history lesson on the humble fork; and we make hearty Soupe au Pistou. This episode is brought to you by Sleep Number and King Arthur Baking. Get this week’s recipe for Soupe au Pistou here . We w...

Oct 06, 202351 min

Holy Foods: Food Myths and Marvels from Cults, Communes and Religious Sects

Christina Ward, author of “Holy Food,” reveals why Pythagoras and his followers never ate beans, the religious movement that helped invent fake meat and Little Debbie, and why food and faith are so closely linked. Plus, Clarissa Wei transports us to Taiwanese kitchens and the Raohe Night Market; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of “A Way with Words” peel back the mysteries of the onion; and we make Beef Bulgogi. Get this week’s recipe for Beef Bulgogi here . We want to hear your culinary tips! ...

Sep 29, 202351 min

The Dog-Eat-Dog World of Ballpark Vendors

Nick Fountain from NPR’s “Planet Money” shares the skills and strategy it takes to sell food at the ballpark. Plus, chef Angela Dimayuga gives us a crash course in Filipino flavors and techniques; we learn about the language of eating outdoors with Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette; and we make Swedish Cardamom Buns. (Originally aired October 14, 2022.) Get this week’s recipe for Swedish Cardamom Buns here. We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, secret ingredients or unexp...

Sep 22, 202351 min

Is Pad Thai for Real? Investigating The Truth About National Dishes

Did you know that pad Thai was invented less than a hundred years ago? And that pizza became popular across Italy only after it was embraced in the United States? This week, we’re joined by author Anya von Bremzen to discuss the unlikely origins of some of the world’s most famous national dishes, from pot-au-feu in France to borscht in Ukraine. Plus, we crack the case on wine fraud with journalist Rebecca Gibb; Dan Pashman de-influences school lunch; and we prepare Thai Salad Rolls. Get the reci...

Sep 15, 202351 min

Wok Eggs, Fried Rice and Hot Dry Noodles: Chinese Cooking Demystified

Stephanie Li and Chris Thomas travel around China in search of the best recipes and techniques for their YouTube channel Chinese Cooking Demystified. Today we learn the secrets to perfect fried rice, how to cook with chopsticks and why the best KFCs are in China. Plus, Abigail Koffler helps us navigate food in the metaverse; we make Mexican-Style Corn with Chili and Lime; and Adam Gopnik cries tears of joy. (Originally aired June 24, 2022.) Get the recipe for Mexican-Style Corn with Chili and Li...

Sep 08, 202351 min

Back Streets Italy: Pizza School, Fried Artichokes, Island Hopping and "Dirty" Pasta

This week, we’re exploring Italy’s best recipes and stories. Leah Koenig brings us inside the Roman Jewish kitchen for fried artichokes as crisp as potato chips, a cherry pie that has a secret and the beef stew that made her break vegetarianism. Plus, Katie Parla gives us a tour of Italian island cuisine, Matt Goulding infiltrates the secret society that reigns over Neapolitan pizza, Viola Buitoni reveals a surprising use for balsamic vinegar, and we make Rome’s “dirty” pasta, Rigatoni alla Zozz...

Sep 01, 202351 min

Inside the Great British Bake Off with Paul Hollywood

We chat with Great British Bake Off judge and author of “BAKE” Paul Hollywood about the best and worst parts of his job, his secret to perfect scones and what a bin lid is—and why it's so delicious. Plus, journalist Alex Beggs tells us about cookbooks for pets; J. Kenji López-Alt takes wok cooking outdoors; and we make Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers. (Originally aired July 22, 2022.) Get the recipe for Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers here . We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, se...

Aug 25, 202351 min

How to be a Supertaster: The Wild Science of Flavor

Is it possible to become better at tasting—to enjoy dinner, wine and your favorite bourbon even more? This week, Mandy Naglich, author of "How to Taste," shares secrets from competitive tasters and food scientists. Plus, Meathead tells us his favorite tips, tools and techniques for grilling this summer; Adam Gopnik unearths an old cookbook collection; and we make Turkish Rice Pudding. Get the recipe for Turkish Rice Pudding here . We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, sec...

Aug 18, 202351 min

Ancient Recipes with Sohla El-Waylly: Roman Cheesecake, Medieval Apple Pie and Fish Head Aspic

We are traveling back in time with chef Sohla El-Waylly, host of “Ancient Recipes with Sohla.” We learn how to make Roman cheesecake, fish head aspic and Mary Todd Lincoln’s white almond cake. Plus, Maggie Hennessy breaks down the hottest trends in restaurant names, from animals to ampersands; Lynn Clark makes Korean spicy chilled noodles; and Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette dig into a slice of language pie. (Originally aired July 15, 2022.) Get the recipe for Korean Spicy Chilled Noodles . We...

Aug 11, 202351 min

Cowboy Coffee and Chicken-Fried Steak: Ranch Cooking 101

Cowboys work hard—which means they need to be fed well. This week, hear how ranch cook Kent Rollins feeds cowboys out of his chuck wagon, serving up his famous coffee, steaks and “burger dogs.” Plus, Tove Danovich introduces us to Mike the Headless Chicken, as well as her brood of mail-order chickens and their complex emotional lives; Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett of “A Way with Words” make lemonade out of lemon idioms; and we prepare a Tomato Salad with Peanuts, Cilantro and Chipotle-Sesame...

Aug 04, 202351 min

Sri Lanka, Meet Kentucky!: Sam Fore Mixes It Up

Sam Fore, the chef behind the pop-up Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites, tells us about the similarities between Sri Lankan and Southern cuisine. Plus, Analiese Gregory teaches us how to hunt and forage in the wilds of Tasmania, Dan Pashman tells us about his mission to create a new pasta shape, and we learn how to make the Portuguese Sponge Cake known as pão de ló. (Originally aired April 2, 2021.) Get this week's recipe for Portuguese Sponge Cake here . We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your coo...

Jul 28, 202351 min

Rent A Falcon, Save Your Vineyard! The New Airborne Security Guards

Falcons are smart, fast and lethal––but they can also be a farm’s greatest defense against losing an entire harvest. Master falconer Alina Blankenship tells us about protecting fields of grapes and blueberries with her flock of highly-skilled birds, from the falcon that operates like a jet-fighter to the hawk that patrols crops like a bouncer. Plus, Kim Severson reports on Gen Z’s “milk shame” and what the dairy industry is trying to do about it; Alex Aïnouz pursues perfect creme brûlée; and we ...

Jul 21, 202351 min

Sidewalk Salad: Foraging with Alexis Nikole Nelson

This week, we chat with TikTok star and expert forager Alexis Nikole Nelson about the most delicious weeds in your backyard, the joys of mushroom jerky and her cross-country journey to make seaweed panna cotta. Plus, Kevin Fortey takes us inside the competitive world of giant vegetable growing, J. Kenji López-Alt reveals the secret to perfect French fries, and we make Italian Flourless Chocolate Torta. (Originally aired August 12, 2021.) Get this week's recipe for Italian Flourless Chocolate Tor...

Jul 14, 202351 min

Exploding Chickens, Shrimp Cannons and Biscuit Bazookas: Food Myths with Adam Savage

Adam Savage of “MythBusters” fame joins us to break down his favorite food experiments, including the time he dropped an Olympic swimmer into a giant vat of syrup. Plus, reporter Rebecca Rosman investigates America Week at a popular French grocery store; J. Kenji López-Alt cracks the code on Chicago thin-crust pizza; and we travel to Rome for Cloud Bread. Get the recipe for Roman Cloud Bread with Mixed Greens and Fennel Salad here . We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, s...

Jul 07, 202351 min

Our July Fourth Show: Live-Fire Grilling, 50 Pies for 50 States and the Ketchup/Mustard Smackdown

On this Fourth of July, baker Stacey Fong shares highlights from her 50 States/50 Pies project, which includes odes to Nevada’s all-you-can-eat buffets, West Virginia’s pizza rolls and Tennessee icon Dolly Parton. Plus, live-fire cooking expert Genevieve Taylor reveals show-stopping tips for your backyard barbecues; Dan Pashman debates the finer points of ketchup and mustard; and we dress up charred pineapple with spiced honey and coconut ice cream. (Originally aired July 1, 2022.) Get the recip...

Jun 30, 202351 min

Dining Disasters, Crazy Chefs, and a Michelin-Starred Nightmare: True Restaurant Stories

This week, we share stories from the world of fine dining. Maître d' Michael Cecchi-Azzolina has encounters with mobsters, fainting celebrities and unruly guests at New York’s top restaurants and reveals the secrets to great service. Writer Geraldine DeRuiter sits down for the world’s strangest Michelin-starred meal: She eats rancid cheese, slurps foam out of a ceramic mouth and is forced to watch the kitchen staff play extreme sports. Plus, historian Rebecca Spang uncovers the invention of the ...

Jun 23, 202351 min

Tomato Sauce Cooked 1,000 Times: One Woman's Culinary Odyssey

Literary scholar Rebecca May Johnson earned her PhD studying Homer’s Odyssey, but now she’s analyzing a new kind of text: Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce recipe. Johnson reveals how studying a recipe isn’t all that different from studying Ancient Greek, and what you can learn from cooking the same recipe a thousand times. Plus, Hetty McKinnon celebrates vegetables and her father's legacy in her latest cookbook, Tenderheart ; Kenji López-Alt and Chris close out their egg-peeling debate with help fr...

Jun 16, 202351 min

Frontiers of Food Science: Do Sound and Color Affect Flavor?

Experimental psychologist Charles Spence introduces us to gastrophysics, the science of how the brain melds color, smell and sound to create powerful multisensory taste experiences. Plus, Nicola Twilley investigates the rise of alternative sugars; Alex Aïnouz goes on a hunt for the ultimate knife; and we offer a recipe inspired by Tel Aviv’s Shlomo & Doron, where hummus gets a Mexican twist. Get the recipe for Hummus with Chipotle Black Beans and Tomato Salsa here . We want to hear your culi...

Jun 09, 202351 min

Chocolate Flan, Cactus Sorbet and Guava Doughnuts: The Amazing World of Mexican Desserts

This week, we taste the sweeter side of Mexican cuisine with chef Fany Gerson. Traveling from Mexico City to Veracruz to Oaxaca, we explore regional confections like chili-flavored paletas and guava and cheese doughnuts. Plus, we take a seat at the Noir Bar with writer and television host Eddie Muller, who infuses classic cocktails with a cinematic twist; Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett of “A Way With Words” unpack the history hidden in your spice cabinet; and we prepare a very crispy Korean F...

Jun 02, 202351 min

Cooking Over Fire: Lessons From the Levant

This week, Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, the husband-and-wife team behind London’s Honey & Co., tell us about chasing the smell of smoke through the alleyways of Jordan and the markets of Egypt in search of the secrets of grilled food in the Middle East. Plus, pizza consultant Anthony Falco shares tips for making great pizza at home, Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette explain why we say “soup to nuts,” and we learn to make Honey & Co.’s recipe for Almond-Coconut Cake with Cherries an...

May 26, 202351 min

White House Noshes: What Presidents Really Eat

Jefferson ate capon, Eisenhower craved squirrel soup and Grant had a habit of throwing bread across the table. This week, we go into the White House with Alex Prud’homme to hear culinary stories from presidential history, like how Julia Child charmed her way into a state dinner and why Eleanor Roosevelt may have used Jell-O salad to get revenge on FDR. Plus, the late Raghavan Iyer reflects on curry, Indian cuisine and his legacy as a culinary educator; Alex Aïnouz experiments with AI in the kitc...

May 19, 202351 min

Claire Ptak Is in Love (with a Pink Cake)

We’re joined by baker Claire Ptak, whose desserts are a winning combination of California flavor and London style—and even royalty agrees. She shares her favorite recipes and reveals the behind-the-scenes details of being chosen to bake the cake for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Plus, Rowan Jacobsen crash-lands into the Amazon for an up-close look at wild cacao harvesting; Adam Gopnik revisits his mother’s sourdough bread; Cheryl Day answers your toughest baking questions; and we mak...

May 12, 202351 min

Pickles, Life and Death: The World of Fermentation

Fermentation expert Sandor Katz takes on a journey around the globe for a look at some of the world’s greatest fermented foods. He tells us about the joys of making sauerkraut and why fermentation may hold the secret to life. Plus, cookbook author Kristina Cho guides us through classic Chinese baking at home, J. Kenji López-Alt shows us how to reinvent leftover mashed potatoes, and we learn to make Japanese-style curry. (Originally aired on January 14th, 2022.) Get the recipe for Japanese-Style ...

May 05, 202351 min

Salmon Wars: The Dark Underbelly of Our Favorite Fish

Investigative journalists Doug Frantz and Catherine Collins take us inside the farmed salmon industry to explore the open net pens, health effects and future of America's favorite fish. Plus, Homa Dashtaki shares the traditional Iranian method for making creamy old-world yogurt; Dan Pashman invites us to a picnic; and we make Thai hot and sour soup. Get the recipe for Thai Hot and Sour Soup with Chicken and Mushrooms here . Take the Milk Street Listener Survey here . We want to hear your culinar...

Apr 28, 202351 min
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