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The podcast currently has 43 episodes available.
Elaine and Sam reunite for a (slightly out of season) holiday episode, though still under the watchful control of The State. Together, they prepare champurrado, a traditional Mexican holiday drink, in a maximally secured room, all while sharing lighthearted banter and bittersweet memories. With The State’s approval looming over every moment, the pair create a warm, nostalgic treat in a bleak world. Despite the oppressive circumstances, the holiday spirit flickers through Elaine and Sam’s friendship, as they reminisce about simpler times and embrace a rare moment of joy.
Key Moments:
Elaine and Sam reunite under The State’s strict control, kicking off the episode with their usual humor and resilient spirit.
Sam wins “Prisoner of the Month” by mistake, giving an unintentionally hilarious insight into The State’s operations.
Together, they joke about rejected holiday recipes (such as Abba Zabba casserole) before settling on a delicious traditional dish: champurrado.
The recipe-making process involves banter about piloncillo, Mexican chocolate, and their past at LA Dental Care.
As they sip their champurrado, Elaine and Sam share a heartfelt moment, expressing gratitude for each other in the midst of their grim reality.
Champurrado Recipe:
Ingredients:
4 cups milk (or milk alternative)
2 oz piloncillo (or brown sugar)
1 Mexican chocolate tablet (or substitute with dark chocolate)
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup masa harina (corn flour)
1 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, piloncillo, Mexican chocolate, and the cinnamon stick. Stir occasionally as the mixture heats up.
While waiting for the chocolate mixture, in a separate bowl, whisk together the masa harina and warm water until smooth. The consistency should resemble thin cake batter.
Once the chocolate mixture begins to simmer, slowly whisk in the masa harina mixture. Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens and reaches your desired consistency.
Remove from heat and pour into mugs. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips and Variations:
Holiday Vibes: The cinnamon and chocolate combination is perfect for the holiday season. For an extra festive touch, garnish with a cinnamon stick or sprinkle a bit of chili powder for heat.
Masa Magic: The masa harina gives champurrado its signature thick texture, transforming this drink into a rich, comforting holiday treat.
Credits:
Written by: Rosa Delgado & Allison Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by: Rosa Delgado
Sam Gately voiced by: Thomas Anthony Jones
Elaine finds herself once again in the clutches of The State, only this time, she’s given a platform—albeit a heavily controlled one. In this bizarre new twist, Elaine is forced to host a state-sponsored cooking show featuring the Secretary of Human Rights himself. Together, they prepare a grand feast, including lab-grown tenderloin and luxurious purple mashed potatoes, while grappling with the ever-watchful eyes of The State. As always, Elaine manages to make even the bleakest situations slightly absurd, using food as a way to subtly rebel and stay connected to her humanity. Meanwhile, her old friend Sam makes a brief, but hopeful, appearance, reminding her that there is still light in the dark.
Key Moments:
Elaine begins the episode in a state-of-the-art kitchen with the unnerving presence of the Secretary of Human Rights. Despite her imprisonment, she uses humor to cope with the new “public” format.
Sam struggles to bring in a sack of potatoes, creating a lighthearted moment in the midst of the tension, only to be abruptly dragged away by The State’s robotic enforcers.
Elaine and the Secretary discuss everything from potatoes to power dynamics, with Elaine attempting to maintain her defiance while the Secretary remains unfazed by her charm.
The pair prepare purple mashed potatoes, but not without the Secretary banning several key ingredients and replacing friendly conversation with rigid state propaganda.
In the outro, Elaine reflects deeply on her confinement and what it means to grow complacent in captivity, stirring thoughts of resistance among her listeners.
Purple Mashed Potatoes Recipe:
Ingredients:
3 pounds purple potatoes
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup milk or unsweetened milk alternative
Salt and pepper to taste
Roasted garlic (from 1 head)
Optional garnish: chopped parsley
Instructions:
Peel and halve the potatoes, ensuring all pieces are of similar size. Boil in salted water for about 8-15 minutes until tender.
Roast garlic by cutting off the top of a head of garlic, drizzling with oil, wrapping in foil, and roasting in the oven at 400°F until soft (about 30 minutes).
Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the potatoes, then add butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
Mash the potatoes to your desired consistency, adjusting seasoning as needed. Garnish with parsley if available.
Tips and Variations:
State-Sanctioned Simplicity: Keep your ingredients minimal, as Elaine's journey demonstrates that sometimes less is all you can get—but it’s what you do with it that matters.
Purple Power: Purple potatoes offer a twist to the usual mashed potatoes, both visually and nutritionally, as they are rich in antioxidants.
Credits:
Written and Directed by: Alli Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by: Rosa Delgado
Sam voiced by: Thomas Anthony Jones
The Secretary of Human Rights voiced by: Dan Egan
Courier voiced by: Raechel Wong
It's a true dark night of the soul, and Elaine Martínez, DDS finds herself grappling with isolation and deep self-reflection in a harsh, unforgiving prison cell. As she battles with her sanity and guilt, she is joined by the familiar voice of Sam—at least an imagined version of him—and the weight of her past decisions comes crashing down. Together, they make the best of their situation, both philosophically and culinarily, with the preparation of an unconventional meal: Prison Patê.
Key Moments:
Elaine reflects on her imprisonment, caught between despair and defiance, wondering if her suffering will be remembered or erased.
Sam appears in Elaine's mind, challenging her to confront painful memories about her family, past choices, and the consequences of her actions.
Elaine crafts a meal from the meager rations of prison food, using it as both a literal and symbolic attempt to retain her humanity.
A surprise interruption at the end signals a shift in her journey, as Elaine is called to her feet by prison personnel.
Prison Patê Recipe:
Ingredients:
4 oz protein patê (or substitute a protein spread of your choice)
Water, as available (approximately 12 oz)
Instructions:
Prepare: Use your fingers or any available utensil to divide the patê into small, equal portions.
Savor: Take your time with each bite, making the most of the simple ingredients.
Serve: Enjoy slowly, allowing yourself to reflect on both the present moment and the future ahead.
Tips and Variations:
Mental Resilience: Even in the darkest moments, finding small rituals like preparing a meal can help ground you and maintain a sense of control.
Adaptability: As Sam advises, sometimes the most important battles are not physical, but psychological—learn to face your fears head-on.
Credits:
Written and Directed by: Alli Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by: Rosa Delgado
Sam voiced by: Thomas Anthony Jones
General Krause voiced by: Greg Goh
Sinister State Official voiced by: Tyler Snodgrass
In this episode, Elaine Martínez, DDS, is thrust into the most dangerous confrontation yet. Captured and brought to the notorious Griffith Park Observatory, Elaine faces off with General Krause, the architect of California's post-apocalyptic regime. Can Elaine's spirit—and her culinary skills—survive this encounter?
Key Moments:
Krause’s Classic Gin Martini Recipe:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Tips and Variations:
Credits:
Special Thanks: A big shoutout to our patrons for supporting the show. Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/elainescooking for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access.
Thank you to Socks Whitmore for script consultation. Connect with Socks at sockswhitmore.com
In this episode of Elaine's Cooking Podcast for the Soul, Elaine Martínez, DDS ventures through Griffith Park, forging deeper into its mysterious realms. Today, she meets the remarkable Woodland Warriors (WWI and WWII), two preppers turned survivalists, who add a rich layer of intrigue and camaraderie to Elaine's (potentially WWIII?) ongoing quest.
Key Moments:
Elaine starts her day reflecting on her mission and the renewed hope of finding her friends, Sam and Joe, alive and nearby.
Elaine meets the camouflaged duo, WW1 and WW2, who share insights into survival and the legend of the good-smelling siren screaming in the night.
Together, they cook a Forager's Breakfast Scramble, utilizing wild ingredients found in their surroundings.
Forager's Breakfast Scramble Recipe:
Ingredients:
Dandelion greens, two handfuls
Cremini mushrooms, six or more to taste
Tender shoots of wild garlic, two
Eggs (4-12, whatever you can rustle up!)
Instructions:
Prepare Ingredients: Chop greens, mushrooms, and garlic.
Cooking: In a skillet, heat canola oil, sauté the vegetables for a few minutes, then add the beaten eggs.
Serve: Enjoy the hearty scramble with the backdrop of Griffith Park’s rugged landscape.
Tips and Variations:
Foraging Tip: Always be on the lookout for fresh, safe-to-eat wild ingredients that can enhance your meals.
Survival Insight: Adaptability in cooking reflects adaptability in life—be ready to make the most out of what you have.
Credits:
Written by: Rosa Delgado
Directed by: Alli Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by: Rosa Delgado
WWI voiced by Nicky Urban
WWII voiced by Coop Foster
Sam voiced by Thomas Anthony Jones
Jo voiced by Judith Kargbo
Sinister State Official voiced by Tyler Snodgrass
Courier voiced by: Raechel Wong
Special Thanks: Our dedicated Patrons make this adventurous season possible. Join our Patreon community at Patreon.com/elainescooking to support and access exclusive content.
In this thrilling episode, Elaine Martínez, DDS, takes us deeper into post-apocalyptic Griffith Park, where she encounters the scrappy and resourceful @ratpoison. As they navigate the lively and chaotic Fission House, Elaine and @ratpoison collaborate on an unexpected culinary creation: a savory and sweet marinade for Portobello mushrooms. The episode is filled with reflections on survival, unexpected alliances, and complete with a Pepperoni bridge.
Key Moments:
Elaine reflects on her childhood memories of backyard camping with her grandparents as she navigates the social intricacies of Fission House.
A surprising culinary adventure begins as Elaine meets @ratpoison, a self-taught chef and influencer with a peculiar cooking style.
The duo prepares "Not-Poisoned Portobello Mushrooms," featuring a unique marinade of butter, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Elaine uncovers a possible lead on the whereabouts of her missing friends, Sam and Jo, after learning about "the legend of the good-smelling siren screaming in the night" in Griffith Park.
@ratpoison's (Not-Poisoned) Portobello Mushrooms Recipe
Ingredients:
3 large Portobello mushrooms
1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 bottle of Worcestershire sauce
Optional: Pepperoni (Elaine’s choice is to leave this out)
Optional: A sprig of rosemary for garnish
Instructions:
Prepare Your Workspace: Set up a safe cooking area, preferably with a grill.
Make the Marinade:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Stir in the brown sugar until it begins to dissolve, creating a rich, gooey mixture.
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and stir until the ingredients are well combined.
If using pepperoni, add it to the marinade. Elaine suggests trying it without.
Marinate the Mushrooms:
Place the Portobello mushrooms gill side up on a tray.
Pour the marinade over the mushrooms, ensuring they are fully coated.
Let the mushrooms sit in the marinade for about an hour.
Grill the Mushrooms:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Grill the mushrooms, gill side up, for about 10 minutes or until they start to smell fragrant.
Flip the mushrooms and grill for an additional 3 minutes on the other side.
Serve:
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary if available.
Enjoy the savory-sweet goodness of the "Not-Poisoned Portobello Mushrooms."
Tips and Variations:
Foraging: If you're up for an adventure, try foraging for rosemary or other fresh herbs in the area. It adds a delightful touch to the dish.
Survival Tip: Elaine reminds us that even in a post-apocalyptic world, creativity in the kitchen can bring a sense of normalcy and joy.
Credits:
Written by: Rosa Delgado
Directed by: Alli Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by: Rosa Delgado
@ratpoison voiced by: Mouzam Makkar
Courier voiced by: Raechel Wong
Special Thanks:
Special thanks to our amazing Patrons who make this season possible. You can find out more about becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/elainescooking.
Episode 4 is here, and we're thrilled to have you with us. In the heart of post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, our favorite dentist-turned-podcaster, Elaine Martínez, DDS, is at it again. This week, Elaine continues venturing through Griffith Park, appreciating its post-nuclear beauty and reminiscing about the past. Along her journey, she encounters a fashionable influencer, @SelfieEsteem, leading to an unexpected and heartwarming culinary adventure: Sushi on the Go.
Join Elaine as she:
Reflects on the eerie beauty of an empty Griffith Park and the changes in her life.
Encounters @SelfieEsteem, a young influencer dealing with a nasty insect bite.
Walks us through a recipe for a simple yet delightful dish, Sushi on the Go, adapted for the post-apocalyptic world.
Sushi on the Go Recipe Ingredients:
2 cups Japanese short-grained rice
2 cups water
1 package seaweed snacks
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 small cucumber
1 small carrot
Instructions: Prepare Your Workspace: Set up a safe cooking area with a campfire.
Cook the Rice:
Rinse the rice in cold water if possible.
Cook the rice in a saucepan with 2 cups of water over a campfire for about 15-20 minutes.
Prepare the Vinegar Mixture:
In a separate saucepan, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and sea salt over medium-high heat until it simmers.
Remove from heat and whisk until the sugar dissolves.
Mix the Rice and Vinegar:
Drizzle the vinegar mixture over the cooked rice and gently fold with a spatula until evenly mixed.
Let the rice cool.
Prepare the Vegetables:
Chop the cucumber and carrot into small slices.
Soak them in the remaining vinegar mixture for about 5 minutes.
Assemble the Sushi:
Place seaweed snack squares on a dry surface.
Spread a thin layer of rice on each seaweed square.
Add a few slices of cucumber and carrot in the center.
Roll the seaweed tightly to form mini sushi rolls.
Serve: Enjoy the Sushi on the Go with @SelfieEsteem, savoring the rich flavors and the rare moments of connection.
Tips and Variations:
Foraging: If you find any additional herbs or spices, feel free to experiment with flavors.
Survival Tactics: Elaine reminds us that adaptability and resourcefulness are key in these times. Use what you have and make the best of it!
Credits:
Written & Directed by Rosa Delgado
Elaine Martínez voiced by Rosa Delgado
@SelfieEsteem voiced by Bryan Baltazar
Courier voiced by Raechel Wong
Special Thanks: Special thanks to our amazing Patrons who make this season possible. You can find out more about becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/elainescooking.
Greetings, resilient listeners! We've journeyed together to this climactic third and final season. Chapter 3 is here, and we're thrilled to have you with us.
In the heart of post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, our favorite dentist-turned-podcaster, Elaine Martínez, DDS, is at it again. This week, Elaine ventures into Griffith Park, appreciating its post-nuclear beauty and reminiscing about the past. Along her journey, she encounters Fran and Sidney, now working for (gasp!) The State, leading to an unexpected and heartwarming culinary adventure featuring feral goat birria.
Join Elaine as she:
Reflects on the eerie beauty of an empty Griffith Park and the changes in her life.
Encounters Fran and Sidney, former friends now patrolling for The State, and bears witness to how a good...goat can change under these dire circumstances
Walks us through a recipe for a traditional dish, birria, adapted for the post-apocalyptic world.
Feral Goat Birria Recipe
Ingredients:
Feral goat meat (as much as you can scavenge)
2 guajillo chilis
Salt and pepper
Cumin
Chipotle
Apple cider vinegar
Water
Foraged spices (peppercorn, thyme, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, wild garlic)
1 onion
1 can of tomatoes
Instructions:
Prepare Your Workspace:
Set up a safe cooking area with a campfire.
Roast the Chilis:
Split and seed the guajillo chilis.
Roast them over the fire until charred.
Prepare the Broth:
Fill a pot with water and add the roasted chilis, letting them soften.
In a skillet, sauté the chopped onion with oil until translucent.
Add spices: peppercorn, thyme, cumin, salt, a cinnamon stick, bay leaves, wild garlic, and canned tomatoes.
Pour the chili water into the skillet.
Cook the Meat:
Add the feral goat meat to the skillet, ensuring it’s submerged in the broth.
Simmer for at least two hours until the meat is tender.
Serve:
Enjoy the birria with Fran and Sidney, savoring the rich flavors and the rare moments of connection.
Tips and Variations:
Foraging: If you find any additional herbs or spices, feel free to experiment with flavors.
Survival Tactics: Elaine reminds us that adaptability and resourcefulness are key in these times. Use what you have and make the best of it!
Written by Allison Slice and Rosa Delgado
Directed by Allison Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by Rosa Delgado
Courier voiced by Raechel Wong
Fran voiced by Socks Whitmore
Sidney voiced by Julie Ouellette
Special thanks for Socks Whitemore for their script consultation services.
https://sockswhitmore.com/
A very special thank you to our amazing Patrons who make this season possible. You can find out more about becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/elainescooking.
Welcome back, survivors! We've made it to our third and final season. The last ride. We're glad you're here.
In the heart of post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, our favorite dentist-turned-podcaster, Elaine Martínez, DDS, is at it again. This week, Elaine finds herself at the bustling black market ration swap in Griffith Park, ready to uncover culinary delights in the most unexpected places. This week, she meets Conner, the savvy proprietor of Conner's Off-The-Grid Commissary. Together, they embark on a culinary adventure that’s sure to lift your spirits—and it all starts with a simple but delicious treat: mollete.
Join Elaine as she:
Reflects on the dark days in her bunker and her renewed sense of purpose.
Shares her encounter with Conner, a businesswoman with a knack for procuring rare goods.
Walks us through a nostalgic recipe for sugar-butter mollete, using a repurposed clothes dryer as a toaster.
Sugar Butter Mollete Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 loaf of bread, preferably baguette or any long roll
3 pats of butter
2 teaspoons of sugar
Instructions:
Prepare Your Workspace:
Set up your makeshift kitchen with the salvaged clothes dryer, as Conner demonstrated.
Mix Butter and Sugar:
In a small bowl, mix the butter and sugar until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Prepare the Bread:
Cut the bread into slices and spread the butter-sugar mixture generously on each slice.
Toast the Bread:
Place the slices in the repurposed dryer, setting it to "permanent press" for about 10 minutes.
Check and Serve:
Once the bread is toasted to a golden brown, carefully remove it from the dryer. Enjoy the sweet and savory treat.
Tips and Variations:
Foraging: If you're able to find any fresh herbs like rosemary or sage, feel free to add a sprig for additional flavor.
Survival Tactics: Elaine reminds us that survival is all about scrappiness and creativity. Use what you have and make the best of it!
Written by Rosa Delgado
Directed by Allison Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by Rosa Delgado
Courier voiced by Raechel Wong
Connor voiced by Samantha Gordon
A very special thank you to our amazing Patrons who make this season possible. You can find out more about becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/elainescooking.
Welcome back, survivors! We've made it to our third and final season. The last ride. We're glad you're here.
In the heart of post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, our favorite dentist-turned-podcaster, Elaine Martínez, DDS, is at it again. In our final-season opener, Elaine finds herself reminiscing about the good old days (you know, dodging bombs and living in bunkers) while stuck in the thick, oily slush of the LA River. But fear not, dear listeners, because Elaine’s got a plan to whip up a meal that’s sure to lift your spirits—and it all starts with some pinto beans, a dash of vinegar, and a whole lot of perseverance.
Join Elaine as she:
Reflects on her past adventures with Sam and encounters with the mysterious Courier.
Shares her recipe for a hearty pinto bean stew, perfect for those damp, dreary nights when you're hiding from The State.
Delivers a heartfelt monologue that reminds us all to keep fighting, keep cooking, and keep hoping—even when the world feels like it’s crumbling around us.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: Stick! 🌿 Whether you’re poking at the fire, defending yourself from feral children, or just trying to keep the spiderwebs off, Stick is your versatile, multipurpose tool for the post-apocalyptic world. Pick one up wherever deforestation by The State occurs!
Tune in for a mix of humor, survival tips, and heartwarming moments that’ll keep you coming back for more. Remember, in the darkest times, a little laughter and a warm meal can make all the difference. 🍲✨
Ingredients:
1 can of pinto beans, semi-drained
1 bouillon cube
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh rainwater (or as fresh as you can get)
Instructions:
Prepare Your Workspace:
Set up your portable gas stove under a sheltered area. Elaine found a bridge in Griffith Park—use whatever cover you can find!
Heat the Oil:
In a one-quart pot, heat the vegetable oil over your portable gas stove.
Sauté the Onion:
Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent.
Add the Garlic:
Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook until fragrant.
Add the Beans:
Pour in the semi-drained can of pinto beans. Give them a gentle mash to release some of the starchiness, which will help thicken the stew.
Prepare the Broth:
In a separate container, dissolve the bouillon cube in about a cup of collected rainwater. Pour this broth into the pot with the beans and onions.
Simmer:
Allow the mixture to simmer until it reaches a thick and hearty consistency.
Season:
Add salt and pepper to taste. If you're lucky enough to have pepper packets (thanks, Courier!), sprinkle those in.
The Secret Ingredient:
Just before serving, stir in one tablespoon of white vinegar. This will brighten up the flavors and give the stew a little extra zing.
Serve:
If you have bowls, great! If not, you can enjoy it straight from the pot. Elaine and Courier opted for the "Lady and the Tramp" style.
Tips and Variations:
Foraging: If you're able to find any fresh herbs like rosemary or sage, feel free to add a sprig for additional flavor.
Survival Tactics: Elaine reminds us that survival is all about scrappiness and creativity. Use what you have and make the best of it!
Written and directed by Allison Slice
Elaine Martínez voiced by Rosa Delgado
Courier voiced by Raechel Wong
Sam Gately voiced by Thomas Anthony Jones
General Krause voiced by Greg Goh
Special thanks to Lazy Pickle Studio for engineering this episode.
A very special thank you to our amazing Patrons who make this season possible. You can find out more about becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/elainescooking.
The podcast currently has 43 episodes available.