Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

This week, we’re looking at the technology behind the growing plant-based food industry with journalist Larissa Zimberoff. She reveals how fungus is turned into bacon and why air molecules may be the future of protein. Plus, cultural anthropologist Meher Varma tells us about the limitless variations of dal in India, and we visit Mexico for a lesson on making chicken soup with a chipotle kick. Get...

Chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi chats about cooking soup for his aging father, why he pours pancake batter with gochujang over asparagus and how his sense of food presentation was inspired by food stalls in Jerusalem. Plus, we hear from Rev. Heber Brown III about the historical relationship between Black churches and Black farmers; Bianca Bosker discusses the everlasting reign of Cheerios i...

We chat with Ted Allen about the soaring success of Queer Eye and Chopped, his life behind the scenes and embarrassing encounters with Martha Stewart. Plus, we explore the new German cooking with Meike Peters; Adam Gopnik discusses the role of turkey in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”; and we whip up an apple cake. (Originally aired December 20, 2019.) Get this week's recipe, German Apple Cak...

This week, we’re chatting with Rachael Ray about her last two years—her house burned down, her dog died, and she had to film her daytime show with just one assistant: her husband. Plus, bakers Chris Taylor and Paul Arguin share their favorite holiday cookie recipes, and we learn to make Chocolate-On-Chocolate Three-Layer Cake. Get the recipe for our Chocolate-On-Chocolate Three-Layer Cake. https:/...

Today, author Luisa Weiss offers some of her favorites from Eisenbahnschnitten to Kartoffelstrudel. Plus, journalist Rowan Jacobsen demystifies the truffle, Adam Gopnik talks luxury foods, and we learn how to make a creamy Amalfi-style lemon risotto. Get the recipe for our Lemon and Shrimp Risotto With Fresh Basil https://www.177milkstreet.com/recipes/basil-lemon-shrimp-risotto We want to hear you...

Pati Jinich is on a quest to show people what Mexico looks like and tastes like. She breaks down the common denominators of Mexican cuisine, tells us why she lives and dies for her blender and reveals her favorite recipes for chicken soup. Plus, writer Brandon Cook gives us a language lesson on drinking toasts from around the world, Alex Aïnouz has an epiphany about homemade pasta, and we bake up...

This week, Jamie Oliver chats about how drumming kept him out of trouble as a teenager, what his dad taught him about hard work and how his cooking is heavily influenced by traditional English fare. Plus, Nick Hall investigates the world of novelty potato chip flavors; we whip up a chocolate-hazelnut cream cake; and Dan Pashman rethinks s’mores. (Originally aired December 17th, 2020) Get the recip...

This week, we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving with some help from our friends. Cheryl Day joins us to answer your holiday baking questions, Sam Fore cooks Thanksgiving with a Sri Lankan take, J. Kenji López-Alt explains why he eats lobster for Thanksgiving, Dan Pashman tells us how to eat pie the right way, and we learn to make Yogurt-Roasted Carrots with Warm Spices. Get this week’s recipe for...

Stanley Tucci shares his life through food—on- and off-screen. He takes us behind the scenes of “Big Night” and “Julie & Julia," reveals why catering on an Italian movie set is surprisingly bad and recounts dining disasters with Meryl Streep. Plus, Dr. Jennifer Mathews uncovers the secret history of chewing gum; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette reveal the origin of the couch potato; and we wh...

This week, we’re talking carnitas, barbacoa and al pastor with Javier Cabral, associate producer for the Netflix documentary series “Taco Chronicles.” He describes some of the more unusual tacos he has encountered as a “taco scout,” how to eat a dozen tacos a day and the rise of the $15 gourmet taco. Plus, we get an in-depth look at the life and legacy of James Beard; Adam Gopnik walks us through...

We chat with Alice Waters: chef, restaurateur, and philosopher. She tells us about the French film that inspired Chez Panisse and explains why good lunch and good conversation are the keys to her career. Plus, Chris McDade shows us how to make great food from tinned fish, Dan Pashman tells us about his favorite Halloween candy, and we bake Liberian Banana-Rice Bread. Get this week’s recipe for Lib...

Cheryl Day—cookbook author and co-owner of Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia—reveals her tips for perfect biscuits, cakes and cookies. Plus, Beejhy Barhany tells us about dabo, the Ethiopian milk and honey bread; Alex Aïnouz explains how to stir-fry the Cantonese way; and we learn how to make Umbrian Lentil Soup. Get this week’s recipe for Umbrian Lentil Soup https://www.177milkstreet.co...

Food Network’s Giada De Laurentiis tells us about the importance of moderation, her hatred of cauliflower rice, and her initial reluctance to go on TV. Plus, we find out how a beer archeologist revives ales from antiquity, Adam Gopnik explains how a wine opener can be a symbol of your mortality and we learn to make a recipe for the Venetian dish of rice and peas known as risi e bisi. (Originally a...

This week, the editor of 4 Color Books, Bryant Terry, describes the long history of veganism in Black communities and his hopes for a healthier food system. Plus, archaeologist Farrell Monaco reveals what the ashes of Pompeii can tell us about Ancient Roman food, Dr. Aaron Carroll weighs in on whether milk and juice are actually healthy beverages for kids, and we learn to make Cranberry and White...

This week, we talk to Modernist Cuisine founder Nathan Myhrvold about his new book, "Modernist Pizza." We talk hydration, ingredients and fermentation and even question the benefits of the wood-burning oven. Plus, journalist Larry Tye tells us how the father of public relations made bacon a breakfast staple, Adam Gopnik explains how to cook for a family with vastly different dietary restrictions,...

We chat with chef David Chang about golf, the brutal first months of Momofuku and why he loves really good cheap food. Plus, we dive into the bizarre history of drinking around the world; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of “A Way With Words” give us a lesson on food names that double as cooking instructions; and we share a recipe for the best stewed beans you’ll ever make. (Originally aired Sept...

Author Danielle Dreilinger tells us the surprising history of home economics. We hear about its origins as a scientific movement that wanted to change the world and find out how it brought us Betty Crocker, astronaut food and the Rice Krispies treat. Plus, listeners share their Home Ec memories, lessons and tales of disaster. Also on the show: Kim Severson of the New York Times explores the rise o...

We ride the railroads of India with Maneet Chauhan to sample chaat: snacks like warm carrot pudding and chili-fried potatoes served at street stalls and train stations. Plus, Shannon Mustipher gives us a taste of tiki cocktails and culture; Bianca Bosker explains the appeal of ultra-peaceful cooking shows; and we make hearty Ethiopian-Style Chickpea Stew. (Originally aired October 9, 2020.) Get th...

Science writer Nicola Temple tells us that processed food isn’t just a modern invention responsible for Wonder Bread and Pringles. She breaks down the history of food processing, from the first time our ancestors cooked with fire to the cutting-edge technology of today. Plus, we chat with sixth-generation farmer Matthew Raiford about oyster roasts, reezy-peezy and other staples of Gullah Geechee c...

Writer Daniel Genis tells us how he learned to cook in prison with limited tools and ingredients, from fried fish and dumplings to pasta cooked on a rewired hot pot. Plus, spirits expert Yolanda Shoshana reveals how cognac became a part of Black history, Dr. Aaron Carroll tells us why coconut oil might not be as healthy as we think, and we make chicken fricase from Puerto Rico. Get this week's rec...

Journalist Rebecca Rosman tells us about the feuds and lawsuits surrounding France’s top-secret steak sauce. Plus, we chat with Saturated Ice Cream founder Lokelani Alabanza, who invents new ice cream flavors, from peanuts and coke to Nashville hot chicken; we make Mexican Sweet Corn Cake; and Alex Aïnouz tells us why we should forget homemade sourdough and bake white bread instead. (Originally ai...

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 T...

This week, Hollywood star and restaurateur Danny Trejo shares his culinary inspirations and tips for amazing tacos. Plus, Gena Renaud of Yume Confections teaches us about the art of wagashi, Alex Aïnouz dives into the world of meatballs, and we roast a chicken the Nigella Lawson way. (Originally aired July 10, 2020.) Get this week's recipe, Coriander-Roasted Chicken:  https://www.177milkstreet.com...

On this week's dessert-themed show, we chat with Nadiya Hussain about her quest for the perfect brownie, a hack for bread pudding and how she almost faked her death to avoid going on “The Great British Bake Off.” Plus, chef Ana Sortun brings us the story of Turkey’s greatest baklava bakery, Adam Gopnik analyzes amusing dessert names, and we learn to make Plum Cake with Spiced Almond Crumble. Get t...

This week, we explore the cooking of Colombia with Mariana Velásquez, from homemade arepas to the influence of Middle Eastern ingredients like sesame and labneh. Plus, we explore the secret world of creating food emojis with artist Yiying Lu, Adam Gopnik ponders the elements of dinner, and we present a recipe for Spicy and Sour Julienned Potato Salad with Sichuan Pepper. Get this week's recipe for...