No Substitutions, Please

We hear what you're saying: wouldn't it be easier to just buy some donuts at your local shop? Is it really worth making your own? As Noah and Louisa discover, some people tried—very few of them, as it turns out, with any real understanding of what they were doing.

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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.

The perfect time to discuss fresh summer flavors: in the bleak midwinter. Let Noah and Louisa take you on a journey to the Mediterranean coast, where people get extremely het up about what goes in their green sauces.

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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.

What's great about nachos is how modular they are: no matter what protein, type of cheese, or toppings you prefer, there's a plate of nachos out there you'll like.

And yet, somehow, there are people—quite famous people, of some renown in the recipe world—who have managed to screw them up. Noah and Louisa discover that, for the first time in NSP history, they have the ultimate definitional element for a great show: a recurring villain.

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.

Whether it's steamed or baked, dense or light, a full-meal wedge or a dessert slice, there's one thing both sides of the Atlantic ocean agree on: everyone absolutely hates this garbage food. Noah's first fruitcake foray came on the same week as this episode was recorded, so Louisa gets to explain to him—and laugh at his increasing terror.

Oh, and if you happen to celebrate today: Merry Christmas. Hope you enjoy our present to you!

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.

Something like half of Puerto Rican Christmas carols involve the key subject of cooking pork. There is a good reason for this: it's absolutely delicious. Let Noah and Louisa tell you about this magical dish and all the ways in which it'll make you happy.

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.

Whether a Sunday dinner staple or the centerpiece of a beautiful holiday dinner, whether eye of round or prime rib, a roast beef treated well is a memorable treat. Louisa's got the reins on this episode, as Noah asks her how to choose a good cut, tricks to combat shrinkflation-induced lean roasts, and more.

Plus, courtesy of listener Matt and @madcitybeergeek, find out how one galaxy-brained genius decided to make his chili.

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.

Right now, a number of you are yelling the word "dressing" at your phones, and people think you're being weird. Better to listen and find out how Noah and Louisa like this side dish, so often oddly restricted to Thanksgiving despite its many wonderful qualities.

Plus: our second mailbag, sent in by another loyal reader, and . . . hoo boy, it's a good one.

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.

If you went to a Thanksgiving dinner this coming week (*brag*), chances are pretty good the centerpiece of it was a turkey cooked to crispy and golden perfection. Or so we hope. For the people who didn't quite get to enjoy that, Noah and Louisa have some things to say.

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.

Whichever shape of pasta you use, however many cheeses you melt, wherever you finish the dish—and whether it's your main dish or a side—mac & cheese is a true classic. Noah and Louisa make sure to give each element its due.

As a tenth-episode bonus, they also do two firsts: dunk on a recipe they found on the Internet, and discuss a comment received from a reader!

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.

In the fall, a home cook's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of spuds—and, perhaps, leeks cooked in butter. Noah and Louisa discover that, no matter how simply a dish may be named, you can't stop some people from overcomplicating it.

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.