On this episode of Special Sauce, Ed talks with Dorie Greenspan about her new book Baking with Dorie and her inauspicious start baking for a living. Plus, the Washington Post's Becky Krystal weighs in on softening butter.  Dorie Greenspan | Site | Facebook | Twitter  "How to soften butter quickly, and why it matters for your baking" by Becky Krystal  

Special Sauce with Ed Levine

Dorie Greenspan: On Getting Fired From Her First Kitchen Job & Her New Book

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce, Ed talks with writer Laurie Woolever, author of Bourdain: The Definitive Oral Biography, plus Washington Post Food Reporter Emily Heil taste-tests plant-based “chicken” nuggets. Laurie Woolever | Site | Twitter Carbface podcast

Laurie Woolever: Life alongside Anthony Bourdain

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce, we talk to the  Washington Post's Aaron Hutcherson about diversity and his deep dive into MSG. It's the first segment in Special Sauce's new collaboration with The Washington Post. Plus, Kenji, Aaron and Ed all weigh in on what they eat when they're not feeling well.  Aaron Hutcherson Twitter J. Kenji López-Alt Twitter

Diversity in Food Media, The Truth About MSG, and Sick Food with the WaPost's Aaron Hutcherson and Kenji

The terrific crime writer Laura Lippman (My Life as a Villainess, Dream Girl) talks about why she's afraid of not being afraid when she writes. Plus Kenji and Laura both weigh in on how they get their kids to eat their vegetables.

Best-selling writer Laura Lippman Talks About Her New Books + Kenji Weighs in on Kids' Eating Habits

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce, we talk about joyful music and an incredibly moving memoir with Michelle Zauner, the leader of the band Japanese Breakfast. She’s the author of the heart-rending Crying in H Mart. Plus, Kenji weighs in on the relationship between two of his favorite things, food and music. 

Food, Music & Memoirs with Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner and Kenji

On this week’s Special Sauce, we’re joined by Colombiana author Mariana Velásquez who talks about the incredible cultural and culinary diversity of her beloved native country. Plus, Kenji shares his love of Colombia, gained from his many trips there with his Colombian wife, Adriana. There's much love for Colombia on this week’s episode! 

Celebrating Colombia with Author Mariana Velásquez and Kenji Lopez-Alt

On this episode of Special Sauce, we’re joined by the incredible youtuber, podcaster and Cheese, Wine and Bread author Katie Quinn who says that metaphorically speaking, people ferment just like cheese wine and bread. Plus, Kenji adds his two cents about Katie and fermentation. 

Katie Quinn and Kenji Lopez-Alt on Fermentation

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce, we’re joined by Reem Kassis, the thought provoking author of The Palestinian Table and her new book, The Arabesque Table. Plus, Kenji gives us some helpful tips of making falafel at home, courtesy of the chef Einat Admony.  Kenji’s falafel recipe video on youtube can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/kenjisfalafelrecipe

Author Reem Kassis on Palestinian Cooking, Plus Kenji on Making Falafel at Home

On this week's Special Sauce, we're joined by NY State Senator and Colombian-American Jessica Ramos who talks about her fearless approach to food activism as she fights for both her diverse constituents and the rights of migrant farm workers.  Plus, Kenji weighs in on his Colombian-American wife Adri's favorite dish and tells us about Temblores, an NGO that monitors state violence in Colombia.

NY State Senator Jessica Ramos, Plus Kenji on his Wife's Favorite Colombian Dish

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce, we’re joined by the brilliant and hilarious comedian, actor, writer and producer Susie Essman. Essman explains how her pandemic cooking increased her husbands ardor, plus she gives us a special sneak peak of what’s coming up on the upcoming season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. 

Susie Essman on Pandemic Cooking and Comedy

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce we’re joined by Chef Nina Compton who talks about her experience working in fine dining as a woman of color, how her restaurants have grappled with the pandemic, and the imperiled hospitality industry in her beloved St. Lucia. Plus, Kenji stops by to share a nifty hack for making jerk chicken, one of Nina’s favorite dishes at home. 

Chef Nina Compton on Women of Color in Restaurant Kitchens & the dire situation in her native St. Lucia, Kenji on Jerk Chicken

On this week's episode of Special Sauce legendary food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson gets real about both her new book "Cook, Eat, Repeat," and the remarkable arc of her life and career. Then Kenji stops in to sing Nigella's praises and reveals what happened when Nigella cooked at his restaurant. 

Nigella Lawson As You've Never Heard Her, Plus Kenji Gives Her Major Props

On this week’s Special Sauce, we’re joined by the great pit master and James Beard Award-winning chef Rodney Scott and his coauthor Lolis Eric Elie talking about their new book "Rodney Scott's World of BBQ." They talk about whole hog BBQ, fathers and sons, and a whole lot more. Plus, Kenji weighs in with his approach to smoking a pork shoulder.

Rodney Scott & Lolis Eric Elie on BBQ And Fathers & Sons, Plus Kenji’s Pork Shoulder

On this week's episode of Special Sauce, we're joined by TV and food writer Lolis Eric Elie who dishes on diversity -- or the lack thereof -- in Hollywood and tells us about the joys of eating in and out in his native New Orleans. Later, Kenji stops by to give us his helpful tips for cooking red beans with rice. 

Lolis Eric Elie on New Orleans food & diversity in Hollywood, Kenji on Red Beans & Rice

On this week’s episode of Special Sauce, we continue our deep dive into the world of fast food. This time  Franchise Author Marcia Chatelain, Drive-Thru Dreams Author Adam Chandler, and Kenji discuss the unique good vs. evil duality of fast food. The new-ish made-to-order McDonald's Quarter Pounder and the Popeye's Chicken Sandwich are definitely on the menu.

Fast Food: Good and/or Evil with Marcia Chatelain, Adam Chandler & Kenji

Serious Eats' podcast Special Sauce enables food lovers everywhere to eavesdrop on an intimate conversation about food and life between host and Serious Eats founder Ed Levine and his well-known/famous friends and acquaintances both in and out of the food culture.

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Special Sauce with Ed Levine

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