As We Eat

Suffrage for women spanned seven decades; a span of time in United States history that ranged from the California Gold Rush through the American Civil War through the end of the Great War (WWI). Born from the desire to achieve political agency commensurate with the reality of women's contributions to society, there were many actions taken to draw collective consciousness to the “Great Cause.”...

In this episode, Leigh and Kim discuss the history of feminist food studies and how this particular critical lense offers uniquely modern insights into how we view traditional roles held by women in the realm of food. We discovered that until recently, topics relevant to feminism have not been addressed in depth - such as discussions about the value of food preparation in creating family identity,...

With consumer food waste at an all-time high, and with grocery stores steadily on the rise, Leigh and Kim chew on what those sell-by, best-by, and other food “expiration” labels really mean. We also dive into the history of Major Grey’s style sweet mango chutney and how this tasty accompaniment to Indian made its way from the Indian subcontinent to grocery stores shelves around the world. We would...

In Eating Across America, Kim and Leigh talk about diners and more specifically, the Harvey House concept helps to create travel communities and good manners. To start the conversation, Leigh recalls how her hometown diner played a role in community building. She shares the definition of a diner from the sounds of conversation, diner coffee culture, serveware, and interior decor. In an effort to u...

In 2021 we were delighted, bemused, beguiled, and blessed with stories that ranged from Presidential food fights to how foods can put us in the mood. We discovered beliefs of foods whose properties make us strong, lucky, or virile. We shared stories of holiday traditions that are treasured for their ability to hold within them memories or celebrations past, present, and future. And we were honored...

For Great Britain and its Commonwealth nations, Boxing Day offers a unique proposition - a day of rest and respite after a busy holiday season full of cooking, baking, and eating to our hearts’ content. For Kim, Boxing Day is meant to be spent with new books, but for her family in South Africa, it was a day to bring leftovers to friends. Behind the final door of our 2021 Alimentary Advent Calendar...

Jule Kake (Christmas Bread) a sweet, rich bread spiked with citron, candied cherries and sweet raisins adorns many a Scandinavian Christmas table. This recipe has been passed down through four generations of Norwegian ladies with fortitude and a strong sense of family and community. MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode Carole Bell Books We Think You’ll  Enjoy Reading No...

Behind Door 24 of the Alimentary Advent Calendar is the Feast of Seven Fishes, an Italian-American Christmas Eve seafood feast that speaks to both Old Worlds and New. Acclaimed food photographer Andrew Scrivani takes Kim back to his childhood on Staten Island and forward to his own modern, multicultural celebration of Christmas Eve. MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode...

Leigh’s memories of a traditional Norwegian flatbread made with potatoes includes an anxiously awaited goodie box, debates of the best (right) way to eat it and learning at the side of the best lefse maker she knew. MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode Foodtime Lefse Time Books We Think You’ll  Enjoy Reading Modern Scandinavian Baking: A Cookbook of Sweet Treats and Sav...

Fluffy popped kernels of corn are a great treat for watching movies on a cold wintry evening, and they make modest, memorable garlands for holiday trees and mantles. Today for the As We Eat Alimentary Advent Calendar, we peek behind Door 22 to reveal a magical Christmas memory from Kim’s past. MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode National Popcorn String Day , Foodimenta...

Eggnog, A Charming Holiday Drink Having originated in England, it’s not surprising that the American colonists brought this drink to the new world with them. Like many dishes from their native land, it was sure to bring a sense of familiarity and comfort. And because many of the colonists kept cows, and chickens to subsist in this untamed world, eggs and cream were almost always available. It’s ch...

The tart, red cranberry is a beacon of brightness when the days are short and gray. We love this luscious berry in all manner of meals but also as a simple decoration to grace the holiday seasons. In today’s 20th Alimentary Advent Calendar episode, we go into a favorite recipe that has graced Kim’s holiday table for many years. MORE FROM THIS EPISODE Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode 2014...

The Tradition of Tamales Tamales are a food that inherently demands community. Labor intensive and time consuming, many hands make light work of this dish. It’s a food that can bring families together both physically and metaphorically. It’s a food that contains stories of heritage and culture. A food that was once offered to the gods and is now considered an offering of gratitude to family, frien...

Like the people who make up the United States, holiday cookies and biscuits come in all flavors, shapes, sizes and from all corners of the world. Whether they are rolled, pressed, dropped, or cut into shapes - we seek out certain favorites because the sugar and spices recall warm memories. Grab your favorite cup of cheer and curl up with us as we go wandering down cookie Memory Lane. MORE FROM THI...

Leigh discusses her memories of Christmas Day dinner. After conferring with her sister, what the dinner actually consisted of, she shares some of the lore behind the reasons that ham graces so many holiday tables. She also offers a PSA about the importance of documenting your holiday traditions before they are lost to time. Recipes: Sweet Soup (Sot Suppe) - As We Eat Lefse - The Spruce Eats We wou...

Kim’s friend Sarah harbors a cherished memory of her family’s annual “Cookie Day.” Among the many varieties of cookies made every year - peanut butter kiss cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and more - Sarah’s father would make rosettes, filigreed cookie-like fritters made with special iron molds, that reflect his Swedish heritage. Sources: Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets, 2015 Recipes: Persian...

When Michelle reached out to As We Eat to discuss traditions including time spent in Abu Dhabi as well as her Filipino background, we of course said, “yes, please.” She talks about sharing holidays and special occasions with her UAE “family” to deeply rooted beliefs in her Filipino culture. Mentioned in this episode: Recipes: Pancit - Pickled Plum Filipino Pineapple Ham - Kawaling Pinoy We would l...

Christmas in the Philippines is a joyful celebration punctuated by feasts, especially on Nochebuena, or “The Good Night,” and for Filipinos living abroad, it is challenging to find or even create the familiar flavors of home. Behind today’s 14th Alimentary Advent Calendar Door is a story about what it takes to bridge the gap between your country of origin and your new home, especially at the holid...

Join Leigh as she shares the symbolism of a bread that is central to a Swedish holiday during the winter Season. Discover how the Silk Road, and Italian martyr, and pagan rites converge in the feast day known as St. Lucia’s Day. We would love you to connect with us AsWeEat.com , on Instagram @asweeat , join our new As We Eat community on Facebook, or subscribe to the As We Eat Journal . Do you hav...

For Kim’s friend, Lacy, Christmas fruitcake is a misunderstood treat. Her family’s version is imbued with fermented brandy and fruits and a small surprise about what happens after the kids are put to bed. Today we uncover why she’s taking up the mantle of her family’s traditional Brandied Fruitcake recipe with a sentiment that is all too relatable. We would love to connect with you AsWeEat.com , o...

Lutefisk is a very polarizing dish. When Leigh asks friends and family to comment on this lye-soaked dish, the responses absolutely support this statement. Whether it’s loved or hated, the fact that this dish is a touchstone to community and culture cannot be argued. We would love to connect with you AsWeEat.com , on Instagram @asweeat , join our new As We Eat community on Facebook, or subscribe t...

The thing about traditions is that they had to have had a beginning. Kim talks with her sister-in-law, Miranda about a very non-traditional tradition born out of necessity and creativity. There’s a little bit of lore thrown in as well. And as we’ve heard many times over through this year’s Alimentary Advent Calendar, for Miranda, “It’s just not Christmas without Fish and Chips.” We would love to c...

Leigh had the distinct pleasure to talk with cookbook author, children’s book author, and freelance writer, Crescent Dragonwagon - yes, this is her real name, about a recipe for mincemeat that she adopted to her early life-style as a back-to-the-lander. She continues to make a batch every fall and adds new ways to use this deep, rich conserve in new and delicious ways. Crescent's Cookbooks: Be...

Kim thought she understood the origins of one of her favorite holiday traditions, but she’s surprised to learn the “truth.” So she digs a little deeper to explain just why these juicy treats ended up in the toe of her stocking. Mentioned in this episode: Sources: Smithsonian Magazine The Night Before Christmas We would love to connect with you! AsWeEat.com , on Instagram @asweeat , join our new As...

This episode, though short, is filled with lore and speculation around the origins of a cake that is synonymous with the Christmas holiday in France. From pagan fires summoning the sun to edicts meant to stave off disease, Leigh talks about the origins of the Bûche de Nöel. We would love to connect with you AsWeEat.com , on Instagram @asweeat , join our new As We Eat community on Facebook, or subs...