No Substitutions, Please

Such a one-pot meal they put it in the dang name, and yet so much variation in the recipes that no two people make it the same way—which means it's some fertile podcasting ground. Noah and Louisa take on one of the truest classics.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon, @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

One of the softest, tenderest, and most temperamental of potato formats. Noah and Louisa discuss the myriad ways these dumplings can make trouble for the inexperienced or unconfident cook.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon, @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

The dish that defines cafeteria chic—if we're assuming that "cafeteria chic" is a thing, which it isn't. Noah and Louisa bat around some fun preparations of this comfort food classic.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon, @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

You're telling me a chicken fried this steak?

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon, @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

For their final entry of Hispanic Heritage Month, Noah and Louisa take a look at the green that's good as gold, the magical vegetal with the avocado base, yet another thing on which every American has a completely unsolicited opinion: guacamole. Brace yourselves.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon, @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

Silky, sumptuous, sugar-sweet and sometimes subtly savory, dulce de leche (and cajeta, its caprine cousin) is what the gods would design if they were asked to make the perfect sweet. Noah and Louisa expound on each of this wonderful substance's many intricacies.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon, @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

How about a treasure chest where the gold is outside? These fried culinary diplomats come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of fillings—yes, even that one you just thought of. What's not to love? Let Noah and Louisa feed you some dumplings of wisdom.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

For our first Hispanic Heritage Month episode, we take on one of Noah's most beloved exemplars of boricua cuisine: the exquisite combination of plantain fried to its golden peak, sharp garlic oil, and savory pork cracklings that goes with everything—from roast pork or chicken to seafood stews.

Follow us:

Noah: @nsmckinnon.bsky.social on BlueSky, @[email protected] on Mastodon.

If you should find any outlandish recipe comments you'd like us to discuss, send them our way at [email protected].

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Louisa and Noah knew they had to do something special for the half-century mark, and this episode has everything you could want. Start with a base of classic food almost everyone has experienced; top it with an over-pretentious recipe from a member of our rogues' gallery; slather on some comments that reveal far, far more about the authors than anyone wanted to know; wrap all of that up in a little discourse about culinary colonialism; enjoy! We sure did.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.

Back after a two-week hiatus! Among the lordliest of the fried foods, these delicious, simple, crispy balls of ground beans and fresh herbs are some of the best things you can put in a pita. Noah and Louisa track down some tips for especial success.

Follow us:

Noah: @elderrumbao on Twitter, @[email protected] on Mastodon.

Our theme is Street Food, by FASSounds, and is governed by the Simplified Pixabay License.

Our cover art includes work by artist Kirsty Pargeter.