I had momentary misgivings when Suwanee Lennon, an Instagram friend but otherwise a stranger, invited me to a small gathering at her friend’s house. I arrived to tables full of Thai food and welcoming people who convinced me to eat spicy chicken feet!

But what was far more memorable about that day were the stories I heard. I soon learned that these friends, or sisters as they called themselves, who had so generously welcomed me into their midst, were all raised together in a leprosy camp.

I sat in awe of the gentleness, compassion, resilience, and most of all - the good humor - of these women.

Today, Suwanee has graciously agreed to share not just her stories, but also these qualities, with all of us.

Where many healthy people would distance themselves from the physical suffering and social shame of lepers, Suwanee grew up proud of her family and devoted to their struggles.

I promise you, Suwanee's story will inspire you to greater love and loyalty - and to think of loyalty in a whole new way.

Website: www.simplysuwanee.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplysuwanee/

Instagram: @simply.suwanee

Welcome to another bonus episode! In these episodes, I don’t get to try a new recipe. However, I DO get to dig a little deeper into a topic raised in a regular episode. 

Earlier this week, I released an interview featuring Emily Ho. In it, we discussed her family’s Sticky Rice Cake. This cake, otherwise known as Nian Gao, is traditionally eaten for Chinese New Year. 

I was so intrigued by the things we discussed, I reached out to Huilan and asked her to teach me more about the beliefs and traditions surrounding the New Year - including, of course, favorite celebratory foods.

I’m so happy to welcome Emily Ho, a recent Saveur Blog Award winner of the Editor’s Choice for Best Food Instagram to The Storied Recipe Podcast!

Emily reached out to me to share her family’s Glutinous Rice Cake recipe along with her memories of the Chinese New Year, which just happens to be this Saturday, January 25th. I learned so much in this interview about this cake and other traditional Chinese flavors and confectionaries, the history of Taiwan, and Emily’s experiences.

This episode focuses on Emily's experience as a second-generation immigrant to the US. For more facts on the traditions, history, and culture surrounding Lunar New Year check out this episode: All About The Lunar New Year with Huilan.

Website: www.ashortgirlsfeast.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashortgirlsfeast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashortgirlsfeast/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ashortgirlsfeast/

Today I’m so honored to introduce you to a new friend of mine, Dora Hurley, as she tells us about a very cheap, very simple but very delicious Hungarian “Friday Meal” which served both religious and practical purposes.

I also talk to Dora about her migration to Ireland from Hungary and the contrast between living and eating on “the continent”, as Dora calls it, and a tiny island nation, where she and her husband raise their 3 boys. 

I do hope you've had a chance to fall in love with Tilda's very British self-deprecating humor, her Nanny, and her patience with my questions about food culture already! If you haven't gotten a chance to hear Episode 011, Nanny's Syrup Sponge Pudding, take a listen. You'll love it! This episode is a continuation of the conversation, but a little less cut and a little more free-wheeling. Essentially, as I read Jane Austen novels and watched The Crown and the Great British Baking Show at home here in America, I've generated some stereotypes and questions about British food culture that I was so curious to explore. In this episode, Tilda patiently answers my questions with detail and good humor. It was a fun chat! I think you'll enjoy the episode's less edited feel, also. I'm often fitting as much as 2 hours of conversation into 45 minutes, but in this case, I mostly just released the discussion as it happened. Thanks again to Tilda and please enjoy the episode!!!

After years as a journalist for a British lifestyle magazine, Tilda recently went freelance and now researches, writes about, and photographs food for many publications. You can view more of Tilda's work here: https://www.matildabourne.co.uk/

Tilda references an interview with John Whaite in this bonus episode and here's a link to that article: https://www.matildabourne.co.uk/editorial/john-whaite-interview-for-the-cake-amp-bake-show-october-2018