The Rice Chronicles, Part 5: Antony and Kosheri

Our rice series continues, and this week we move further west and into Egypt to discuss a cherished rice and lentil dish. We discuss the history of lentils and rice as a combination, migration during the heyday of the British Empire, and why pasta makes a guest appearance in kosheri. Finally, we revisit the connections between carboloading and street food.

The Rice Chronicles, Part 4: Tahdig for Everyone

Happy self isolation, and please enjoy our first episode of the new social distancing landscape. In this episode of our rice series, we’re leaving East Asia and heading to Iran to talk about one of the country’s most beloved rice dishes. We discuss how rice arrived to Central Asia, the rich cooking culture of the Safavid Empire, and the pre-Islamic origins fo Nowruz, aka Persian New Year. Finally, we speculate which Christian scholars may have dabbled with non-Christian faiths.

The Rice Chronicles, Part 2: Rice and Roll

This week, we’re continuing our rice series and discover how the histories of rice and sushi are intertwined. We discuss how to ferment fish, revisit the street food revolution of the Edo period, and explore how a humble dish became an elevated art form in Japanese cuisine. Finally, we talk about how refrigeration revolutionized so many of the beloved foods we’ve discussed so far.

The Rice Chronicles, Part 1

This week, we’re kicking off another starchy series as we dive into the origins of a certain white grain. We discuss how to control rivers, how a good starch can help grown an empire, and the history of boating in the South Pacific. Finally, Faye explains why anthropology degrees can help you succeed in the world.

Come On, Party Peeple

This week, we’ve got another celebratory, sugary, filler of an episode, but it’s not all fluff. We’re investigating the shadowy world of corporate espionage in candy-making, discussing the life and legacy of a prodigious candy man, and clarifying, once and for all, that the Pennsylvania Dutch do not speak Dutch. Finally, we debate whether or not peeps are actually good.

If you want to know more about the rich, vibrant history of Peeps, check out Carl Anthony Online’s article about the Black Peep Scandal: https://carlanthonyonline.com/2013/03/30/secret-black-sheep-peep-easter-candy-mystery-scandal-father-of-the-jellybean/

Fiesta de Tamal

It’s our first episode of the decade! In this episode, we discuss the development of food pouches in the western hemisphere, the mythology of Three Kings Day, and how non-Latinx Texas families started hosting tamaladas. Finally, we extoll the virtues of the deliciousness of tamales.

NOTE: In this new year, we’re resolving to release episodes on a more regular schedule by moving our release day to Sundays.

It’s an Egg Party!

In this week’s episode, we’re talking eggs and tomatoes and brunch. That’s right. An entire episode dedicated to shakshuka. We discuss noncontroversial topics like immigration and Israel, analyze similar dishes, and uncover the Arab ties to Sicilian food. Finally, we reminisce over our very first shakshuka experiences.

The Emperor’s New Tube

We’re finishing our potato series the way we always end vegetable series: by going back to the beginning. This time, we discuss how the Incans built the largest empire in South America without a wheel, the religious importance of Axomamma, and the cost-benefits of fried potatoes. Finally, we revisit our dear friend Johnny Appleseed.