Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

This week, we share a story of revenge, betrayal and secrets … at a frozen vegetable empire. John Seabrook investigates why running “the biggest vegetable factory on Earth” led to generations of drama in his family, like a real-life version of the TV show “Succession.” Plus, Brendan Liew gives us a tour of Japan’s incredible convenience stores; Kenji López-Alt finds the best way to crack an egg; and we learn how to make Sri Lankan Spinach and Coconut Dal with Tomato Tarka. Get the recipe for Sri Lankan Spinach and Coconut Dal with Tomato Tarka here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

In 2008, Roy Choi was fired from his big restaurant job and ready to give up—then he started his food truck, Kogi. He joins us today to discuss the making of his now-legendary food truck, how he taught Jon Favreau to look like a cook for his 2014 film “Chef,” and why there's poetry in lowriding around LA. Plus, we hunt for clams, eels and anchovies with sea forager Kirk Lombard, and Chris and Sara Moulton take your calls—what constitutes the middle rack of the oven, how to make the perfect toum, and much more. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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 kitchen; and we learn a recipe known as “killer spaghetti.” (Originally aired May 25th, 2023.) Get the recipe for Spaghetti all’Assassina here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Famed architect and designer David Rockwell shares the best, worst and most hidden aspects of restaurant design. He recalls his favorite projects, from Sushi Zen to Union Square Cafe, and the tiny details you should pay attention to the next time you go out to eat. Plus, Nathalie Cooke takes us on a quirky journey through the history of menus; Adam Gopnik pays tribute to the legendary achievements of Alice Waters; and we prepare a no-cook Tiramisu. Get the recipe for Tiramisu here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Sara Franklin shares the life story of Judith Jones, the legendary editor behind some of the greatest cookbooks of the 20th century. We hear how she discovered Julia Child, why Edna Lewis sent her a box of squirrels and what happened when she was told to reject the diary of Anne Frank. Plus, historian Stephen Puleo recounts the sticky disaster that was Boston’s Great Molasses Flood of 1919, and we head to Paris for the world’s greatest ham and cheese sandwich. (Originally aired May 16, 2024.) Get the recipe for Oven-Baked Three-Layer Croque Monsieur Sandwiches here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

We get real with Top Chef host Kristen Kish. She speaks out about her career, her show and what bugs her most about restaurant goers. Also on the show—we chat with Reya Hart about eating and traveling on tour with her father, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart; Kim Severson explains why meat is on the rise again; we make Puff Pastry Khachapuri; and Chris Kimball and Sara Moulton answer listener calls. Get the recipe for Puff Pastry Khachapuri here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, we’re wetting our whistles with an array of historic, rare and homemade drinks. Journalist Jonny Garrett tells the true story of beer, including its use as a dietary supplement for children, a religious rite in prehistoric caves, and as a form of Ancient Egyptian currency. Plus, Aaron Goldfarb tells us about the collectors who hunt for very old bottles of booze; Alex Aïnouz cries over a sip of his homemade red wine; and JM Hirsch shares a delightfully salty cocktail tip. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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 22nd, 2022.) Get the recipe for Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Lidia Bastianich joins Christopher Kimball to answer our listener's Italian cooking questions—from the best recipe for ravioli to tips for avoiding soggy lasagne. Plus, The Great British Bake Off's Giuseppe Dell'Anno shares the joys of Italian baking, from cannoli cake to sfogliatelle; culinary guide Arianna Pasquini takes us on a tour of Rome's hidden food gems; and J.M. Hirsch reveals secrets from a Neapolitan trattoria. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

YouTube coffee expert James Hoffmann shares the best, worst and weirdest coffee in the world—from his tried-and-true recipe for the ultimate cup at home to the time he tasted 70-year-old beans in Japan. Plus, Don and Petie Kladstrup tell us the story of the man who taught America to love Champagne; we make Beef Chili Colorado Tacos; and Adam Gopnik discusses the greatest food debates of our time. (Originally aired May 20, 2022.) Get the recipe for Beef Chili Colorado Tacos here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, we uncover everything you never knew about the stomach, including its ability to think. Author Elsa Richardson also reveals ancient medical practices for quieting a gurgling gut, and we find out just how similar human and dog stomachs are. Plus, Florence Fabricant of The New York Times discusses the best and worst in food writing; and Kim Severson untangles the recent rise in egg prices. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Welcome to Las Vegas! Chris reunites with our friend and Vegas food scene expert Al Mancini for the ultimate night out. They start downtown at Atomic Liquors, where Barbra Streisand, Hunter S. Thompson and the Rat Pack were regulars. They then head to Chyna Club at the Fontainebleau for “the best cocktail I’ve ever had” (says Chris), plus the Vegas food you need to try right now, prepared by Chef Richard Chen. And for their last stop, Chris and Al visit Stray Pirate for a bar unlike anything we've ever seen. This special episode of Milk Street Radio is made in collaboration with our sponsor Las Vegas. To discover the dining experiences that Las Vegas has to offer, go to https://www.visitlasvegas.com/culinary/

Angela Hui tells the story of her childhood growing up in her family’s Chinese restaurant—there are flaming woks, short tempers and zero privacy. Plus, we’re joined by journalist Jenn Harris to learn how influencers are making their mark on the restaurant industry; Alex Aïnouz speeds up beef bourguignon; and we make Italian Wedding Soup. (Originally aired February 23rd, 2023.) Get this week’s recipe for Italian Wedding Soup here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

We explore the whimsical world of Irish baking with Cherie Denham. Plus Madison Avenue veteran Jeff Swystun shares the little-known history of food advertising; we cook up Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings in Tomato Sauce; and Alex Aïnouz is on a journey to make the world’s best roasted chicken. Get this week’s recipe for Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings in Tomato Sauce here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Pete Wells, former New York Times restaurant critic, joins us to look back on his most infamous reviews, plus why he blasted Guy Fieri’s Times Square restaurant but loved Señor Frog’s. Photojournalist Kate Medley reveals why some of the best food in the South is served at the gas station; we make Cantonese Stir-Fried Black Pepper Beef and Potatoes; and Chris and Sara Moulton answer listener calls. Get this week’s recipe for Cantonese Stir-Fried Black Pepper Beef and Potatoes here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio is produced by Milk Street, in association with GBH Co-Founder: Melissa Baldino Executive Producer: Annie Sinsabaugh Senior Editor: Melissa Allison Senior Producer: Sarah Clapp Producer: Caroline Davis Production Intern: Marisa Orozco Production Help: Debby Paddock Additional Editing: Sydney Lewis Audio Mixing by Jay Allison at Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole Massachusetts Theme Music: "Hang Tan" by Toubab Krewe Additional Music: George Brandl Egloff

Bees solve puzzles, have distinct personalities and play with balls like a puppy. Zoologist Lars Chittka reveals amazing new discoveries about the mind of a honeybee and what a bee’s consciousness means for us humans. Plus, we investigate the mysterious phenomenon of bee heists; Sylvan Mishima Brackett, chef-owner of Rintaro, shares the secrets to perfect hot spring eggs and ruby grapefruit jelly; Alex Aïnouz searches for the perfect paella; and we bake Basque Country’s burnished cheesecake. (Originally aired February 15th, 2024.) Get this week’s recipe for Basque Style Cheesecake here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Irina Georgescu joins us to relive her and Chris’s journey to the heart of Transylvania. We discover the world of Romanian breads, snack pies, sour soups and folklore. Plus, archaeologist Brendan Foley explores a 15th-century shipwreck and uncovers a king's medieval spice cabinet; Alex Aïnouz reimagines deviled eggs; Cheryl Day returns to answer baking questions; and we make Irina’s recipe for Meringue-Topped Cake with Cherries. Get the recipe for Meringue-Topped Cake with Cherries here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Alice Waters thinks David Mas Masumoto’s peaches could change the world. Today, Masumoto shares his search for the perfect peach and the shocking family secret that changed the history of his farm. Plus, we chat with Nichole Accettola about Scandinavian baking, from cinnamon knots to rye bread, and we learn the language of strawberries. (Originally aired February 1, 2024.) Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, we’re looking at the pioneers of food television. Emeril Lagasse reflects on his unlikely start at the Food Network, how he’s different from his on-screen persona and why he just opened his first Portuguese restaurant. Plus, Michelle T. King tells the story of Fu Pei-mei, Taiwan’s first cooking TV star, our very own co-host and food TV star Sara Moulton answers caller cooking questions, and Adam Gopnik weighs in on the spectacle of Iron Chef. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Tamar Haspel of the Washington Post is here to share 10 truths about food that nobody wants to believe. From diet soda to organic vegetables to one overlooked fish, nothing is sacred. Plus, Amanda Herbert brings us inside history’s wildest dinner parties; Adam Gopnik reveals what your drink of choice says about you; we make Thai Coconut and Chicken Soup; and Cheryl Day returns to take your baking calls. (Originally aired February 29, 2024.) Get the recipe for Thai Coconut and Chicken Soup here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify