Nº 91: Sourdough Starters, World’s Best Cheese, and a 100-Year-Old Oyster Promise

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREIn this EpisodeHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments* 0:04 — Another chaotic start: David accidentally goes live 10 minutes early, Amy drops off before we’ve even begun, and Domenica Marchetti is sitting patiently waiting while the hosts sort themselves out. Welcome to live television, folks, take two.* 5:47 — Big news: SiriusXM signed us!: David announces that SiriusXM has reached out, signed a $2.1 million contract, and created an entire channel called “Culinistas” for them. Amy plays it beautifully straight — until someone notices it’s April 1st. David: “Do you realize SiriusXM has no idea who we are? I bought it!” April Fools. Amy: 1, David: 1.* 9:39 — Amy’s food week: Providence, Rhode Island food festival: Amy attended a celebration of Providence’s dining scene — a city that, like Portland, Maine, punches way above its weight in food culture. She toured Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts, did a panel with food writer elyse major, and came away wanting to move there immediately.* 11:41 — This week’s bread bake: the Levain: Amy’s sourdough rhythm continues — this week a classic nearly-all-white sourdough with a touch of rye flour. A Levain. Beautiful and tangy.* 11:53 — Amy’s Passover Seder prep: Amy is getting her brisket going and making chicken stock for matzo ball soup. Her Seder menu also includes crispy glazed sweet potatoes (mandolined, stood up like hassleback, glazed with brown sugar and butter) and roasted asparagus with Parmesan.* 13:02 — David’s food week: Portuguese Flourless Almond Cake disaster: David attempted his Portuguese almond flourless cake — a recipe he hadn’t made in 25 years — for Passover at Fred and Ginger’s house. He forgot the butter. Alan had to drive to the gas station to buy eggs. ADHD: 1, David: 0. He went to an ADHD coach this week, however — and reports it’s going well.* 15:01 — Domenica’s food week: Domenica’s retired husband has been doing all the cooking, which has been wonderful. Highlights: grilled swordfish steaks with asparagus and roasted red pepper, and enchiladas made with a whole rotisserie chicken — left on the counter overnight, tragically.* 17:00 — Crab cake catastrophe: The One was making crab cakes from one-year-old canned crab. The tongue-tingling was histamine poisoning. They tasted it anyway. Don’t be like David.* 19:41 — Book spotlight: Pimento Cheese: The Cookbook by Rebecca Lang: David recommends this deep dive into pimento cheese from the author of Around the Southern Table — lemony goat cheese pimento, Tex-Mex pimento, pineapple pimento, and pimento cheese with chili crunch. David riffs on his own deep-fried pimento cheese balls: firmed in the freezer, rolled in panko, fried at 375°F until oozy and golden.* 22:31 — Mrs. Appleyard’s Vermont kitchen: Amy goes vintage with Louise Andrews Kent, who wrote under the pen name Mrs. Appleyard — a sort of 1940s–50s Martha Stewart of northern Vermont who wrote seasonal cookbooks chronicling life in the tiny town of Crosbury Common. Charming, funny, and findable in used bookshops.* 24:52 — Food news: Copenhagen’s $340 chicken prix-fixe: A restaurant called Kylling (Danish for “chicken”) invites guests to spend the first 90 minutes of their dinner interacting with the chicken that will be served. The bread basket features cardamom buns made with chicken schmaltz. Art, or a lie? David fell for for. Again, April Fools. Amy: 2, David: 1.* 26:03 — Instagram’s shadow ban on non-overhead food photos (April Fools, part 2): A “leaked memo” claims Instagram will shadow ban any food not photographed from above — including soup shot from the side. Amy almost sold it. David: “It was believable. I believe everything.” April Fools. Amy: 3, David: 1.* 27:53 — Guest: Domenica Marchetti on Italian Cookies: The main event. Domenica is a prolific food writer and the author of nine acclaimed cookbooks. Her new book, Italian Cookies: Authentic Recipes and Sweet Stories from Every Region, drops April 14th. It covers the genuine, regional Italian cookies — not Italian-American cookies (no rainbow cookies, no iced anise rounds) — organized by the north, central Italy, the south, and the islands.* 29:51 — The cookie that started it all: Canestraletto di Torigna: In 2017, Domenica bit into this crumbly, flower-shaped butter cookie from Liguria (Genoa) and fell down a rabbit hole. She went to the town where it’s baked, found it has a history dating to the 15th century, and discovered a town of 2,000 people with eight bakeries dedicated to this one cookie.* 31:16 — Cookie pilgrimage: from Liguria to Saronno: From there it was the amaretti di Gavi (soft almond cookies from Gavi), then Voltaggio, then Saronno — where Domenica interviewed Paolo Lazzaroni, patriarch of the Chiostro di Saronno, the family behind the famous crunchy amaretti. His grandfather purchased a medieval cloister in the early 20th century, where the family has lived and worked ever since.* 34:03 — What’s in the book (and what isn’t): The book is organized regionally — cookies of the north, central Italy, the south, and the islands. In the islands chapter: Sicilian cucidati (buccellati) — butter pastry filled with fig paste, nuts, and chocolate. Not included: rainbow cookies, Italian-American iced anise rounds. This is Italy, not the neighborhood bakery.* 36:21 — Deep dive on the Serpetti: From the Castelli Romani hill towns outside Rome (where the Pope summers), these S-shaped butter cookies are made by a fifth-generation family in Monteportio Catone. The baker, Paola Rosazza Battore, wouldn’t share her recipe — but let Domenica watch. Through pure visual reporting, Domenica reverse-engineered it.* 44:31 — Regional cookie trends from north to south: Butter in the north. Olive oil in the south and Calabria. Lard in some regions. Honey and mostocotto (cooked grape must) in areas where sugar was once scarce. The cookies reflect the landscape, the agriculture, and the history of each place.* 56:54 — Coming back: Domenica hints that this conversation is far from over. David floats the idea of a live “Mouthful” where Domenica bakes a cookie while they talk to her. She’s in.* 57:51 — Farewell to Domenica: She’s a prolific food writer, author of nine acclaimed cookbooks — from handmade pasta to preserving to traditional Italian cooking — and one of the most trusted voices in regional Italian cuisine. Italian Cookies drops April 14th. Pre-order now on Amazon.Recipes Mentioned* Matzo Ball Soup (with homemade chicken stock)* Brisket* Crispy Glazed Sweet Potatoes (mandolined, hassleback-style, brown sugar and butter glaze)* Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan* Portuguese Flourless Almond Cake* Grilled Swordfish Steaks with Asparagus and Red Pepper (Domenica’s husband’s)* Enchiladas (with rotisserie chicken — RIP, left on the counter)* Crab Cakes (from very old canned crab — do not recommend)* Deep-Fried Pimento Cheese Balls (David’s riff — panko-crusted, fried at 375°F)* Pimento Cheese with Chili Crunch (from Pimento Cheese: The Cookbook)* Canestrelletti di Torigna (Ligurian flower-shaped butter cookie)* Amaretti di Gavi (soft almond cookies from Gavi)* Amaretti di Saronno (the classic crunchy ones from Chiostro di Saronno)* Serpetti (S-shaped butter cookies from the Castelli Romani, outside Rome)* Cucidati / Buccellati (Sicilian fig-filled butter pastry cookies)* Occhi di Bue / Frolini al Burro (jam-filled bullseye butter cookies, northern Italy)Books and Publications* Italian Cookies: Authentic Recipes and Sweet Stories from Every Region by Domenica Marchetti — dropping April 14th; pre-order on Amazon now* Pimento Cheese: The Southern Spread by Rebecca Lang* Mrs. Appleyard’s Vermont cookbooks by Louise Andrews Kent — vintage, findable in used bookshopsWhere to Find Us* Amy Traverso* Instagram | Yankee* David Leite* Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Youtube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREIn this EpisodeHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments* 0:00 — Welcome to the live, and a tech hiccup: We start strong (one minute early!) before Amy promptly drops off the call. Welcome to live television, folks.* 2:22 — Big announcement — we’re moving to Wednesdays at noon ET: David (Fatty Daddy) is almost 66 and exhausted by late-night shows. Starting next week, Talking with My Mouth Full goes live every Wednesday at 12 noon Eastern. West Coasters, that’s 9 a.m. Europeans, we see you, too.* 6:20 — Amy’s sourdough report: The Miche: Amy’s been baking her way through the King Arthur Big Book of Bread, and this week’s loaf was a miche — a classic French whole-grain sourdough, deeply tangy, chewy, and wonderfully moisture-retaining. Her starter is named Lazarus (given to her by a pastry chef at The Alna Store in Maine), and the name fits.* 10:28 — David’s food week: Lasagna Bianca and the Coca-Cola Brisket Aftermath: David finally had all the right cheeses (ordered from Caputo’s) for his five-cheese lasagna bianca, with handmade noodles rolled to setting 6 or 7 — so thin you can see through them. (Marcella Hazan once wrote him to say that’s exactly how it should be done.) He also confesses to eating an entire five-pound Coca-Cola brisket over the course of several days. No regrets.* 10:45 — The L. Reuteri Yogurt Rabbit Hole: Amy has gotten into making homemade yogurt using Lactobacillus reuteri, a culture promoted by Dr. William Davis (Wheat Belly) for its alleged gut-health and serotonin-boosting effects. The evidence: her sister-in-law went from tightly wound to noticeably chill. It’s made with half-and-half and is genuinely delicious. Amy’s verdict: she may have a delightful personality again.* 15:30 — ADHD confessions: David opens up about struggling to function without The One around — 269 unpublished posts sitting in his website backend, four photos from a shoot last June never uploaded, six holiday videos still in draft. Amy relates: She says she’s somewhere on the spectrum, and got into a fight with Scott when she started raking leaves at 1 p.m. for a 2 p.m. departure. (She was ready by 2:05, for the record.) Audience members chimed in to share their own experiences.* 22:10 — Books We Love: Morning Baker by Roxana Jullapat: David shares his excitement about this upcoming baking book (drops April 7th), packed with gorgeous recipes from the author of Mother Grains. Donuts, French toast, and beautiful photography — this one earned a “must have the physical copy.”* 24:46 — Amy’s Pick: A Kitchen on Goose Cove by Devin Finigan: Amy recommends this forthcoming cookbook from the chef of Aragosta restaurant in Maine, arriving later in April. The restaurant sits at the edge of an enchanted-forest cove overlooking the bay — and the food is just as stunning.* 27:18 — Amy’s current read: Le Road Trip by Vivian Swift: A beautifully illustrated chronicle of a honeymoon road trip through France, with sections on Bordeaux’s food and wine scene. Swift is an illustrator and writer, and Amy is captivated by the humanity of the hand-drawn work — especially in an AI-saturated moment.* 29:56 — Dorie’s Anytime Cakes and the illustrated cookbook debate: David and Amy discuss the reactions to Dorie’s latest book, which uses a photorealistic illustration style. Beautiful graphic design, but some readers found it less effective than photographs. The conversation leads to a broader point: in the age of AI perfection, people are gravitating toward the human, the imperfect, the messy, and real.* 33:20 — Product Spotlight: The Rose Levy Beranbaum Reduction Spatula: David finally retrieved it from the kitchen. It’s a ThermoWorks product from her Signature Series — a long spatula with raised measurement markings so you can track a sauce as it reduces right in the pan, no pouring into a measuring cup required. You can also use it to check viscosity. David has been trying to show it on the show for three weeks. Worth every penny.* 35:46 — Also worth having: Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Spurtles: Amy sings the praises of her spurtles — a cross between a spoon and a spatula, available in solid and slotted versions. Great for flipping pancakes, stirring risotto, and pretty much everything else. A quiet classic.* 37:09 — Food News: The 100-Year Oyster Promise Fulfilled: Wintzell’s Oyster House in Mobile, Alabama, had a long-standing promotion: free oysters to any man 80 years old, accompanied by his father. In early 2026, 99-year-old James Rush finally walked in with his 80-year-old son Jimmy to claim it. This is the first time in nearly 100 years the promotion has been fulfilled.* 39:13 — The World’s Best Cheese: The World Championship Cheese Contest recently crowned the Beemster Royaal Grand Cru — a 12-month-aged Gouda made by a cheesemaker with a Royal Warrant from the Netherlands — as best in show. The cows graze on seagrass near the ocean; the resulting milk delivers butterscotch and toasted almond notes. It is available at specialty cheese shops in the U.S.* 41:03 — Amy’s personal favorite: Abbaye de Belloc: A butterscotch-nutty, alpine-style cheese from the Pyrénées in the Comté family, made by affineur Mons and sold at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge (which has an in-store aging cave and an online shop).* 43:07 — A love letter to Queijo Serra da Estrela: David raves about Portugal’s greatest cheese — an oozy, thistle-rennet sheep’s milk cheese from the Serra da Estrela mountains. He recalls a peak life moment at Quinta do Crasto in the Douro, when a nearly empty wheel arrived at the table, spaghetti swirled in the gooey inside with just black pepper. Nearly impossible to find properly aged in the U.S.* 48:35 — So long, and see you Wednesday at noon: Thank you for joining us. The Prosecco is gone, Amy is laughing, and we’ll see you next Wednesday at 12 noon Eastern.Products We Love* Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Reduction Spatula (ThermoWorks Signature Series) — A long spatula with raised measurement markings for tracking sauce reductions right in the pan. Also useful for checking viscosity. An absolute game-changer for anyone who reduces stocks, sauces, or caramels.* Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Spurtles — A cross between a spoon and a spatula, available in solid and slotted versions. Great for stirring, flipping, and doing basically everything at the stove.Books and Publications* Morning Baker by Roxana Jullapat — A baking book dropping April 7th, from the author of Mother Grains* A Kitchen on Goose Cove by Devin Finigan — From the chef of Aragosta restaurant in Maine; coming May 19, 2026.* Le Road Trip by Vivian Swift — Illustrated travel memoir covering a honeymoon journey through France* Dorie’s Anytime Cakes by Dorie Greenspan — Out now; photo-realistic illustration style sparked a lively debate* Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis — The classic tome on eliminating wheat from your diet and whyRecipes* Sourdough Miche (French whole-grain sourdough)* Porridge Bread* L. Reuteri Yogurt (made with half-and-half)* Lasagna Bianca with Five Cheeses (with handmade pasta)* Coca-Cola Brisket* Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts)Where to Find Us* Amy Traverso* Instagram | Yankee* David Leite* Leite’s Culinaria | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | YouTubeChow,David This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREIn this EpisodeHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments* 0:00 — Welcome to the video era: A warm welcome to our podcast listeners as we officially embrace both audio and video on Substack. Plus, a big hello to Rob Machado, Christy, Marianne, Susan, Deb, and our friends watching from Brooklyn!* 0:31 — St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans: Neither of us is Irish, but we’re definitely wearing our green and celebrating anyway.* 0:40 — The debut of “Winchell the Wattle”: It’s the end of turtleneck season, which means it’s time to embrace the author-photo scarf look.* 1:42 — An Irish-Italian Boston Funeral: Amy shares a beautiful story about a Quincy funeral that perfectly blended Irish and Italian traditions with potato and chicken dishes at the Sons of Italy.* 3:25 — The Soda Bread run-down: We discuss Darina Allen’s moist yogurt version, Amy’s apple and currant recipe, and Nancy Mock’s decadent chocolate chunk soda bread.* 7:00 — The Secret to Stuffies: A deep dive into New England stuffed quahogs, complete with Portuguese sausage, and why Mama Leite’s recipe remains a closely guarded secret.* 9:33 — Meltdown in the Photo Studio: David recounts his struggles baking his 20-year-old Portuguese orange olive oil cake for Clare Barboza’s photoshoot. Plus, the magic of DIY “Cake Goop” to save your Bundt pans.* 22:30 — Easter & Passover Planning: Amy preps for an Adina Sussman-inspired Passover and family biscotti, while David plans a menu featuring ervilhas com ovos and Italian roast leg of lamb.* 28:09 — Brisket Two Ways: We discuss the legendary Nach Waxman brisket method versus the shockingly delicious mid-century Coca-Cola brisket with Heinz chili sauce.* 30:56 — Fast Food Abominations: Taco Bell’s Mountain Dew Baja Midnight Pie and Dr* Pepper Johnsonville Hot Dogs enter the chat.* 36:11 — Depression-Era Baking & Mid-Century Nostalgia: A trip down memory lane discussing tomato soup cake, mayo cake, mock apple pie, and the sticky joy of collecting S&H Green Stamps.* 39:35 — Grandma’s Cream Cheese Pesto: Amy shares her grandmother’s thrifty, modern mid-century trick for making pesto without expensive pine nuts.Recipes* Yogurt Irish Soda Bread* Irish Soda Bread with Currants and Apple* Nancy Mock’s Chocolate Soda Bread* Eton Mess with Lemon Curd and Raspberries* Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)* Creamy French Chicken Stew (Blanquette de Poulet)* Portuguese Orange Olive Oil Cake* Homemade “Cake Goop”* Applesauce Bread* Porridge Bread* Almond and Anise/Sambuca Biscotti* Ervilhas com Ovos (Portuguese Peas with Eggs and Bacon)* Italian Roast Leg of Lamb (with garlic, rosemary, and lemon)* Nach Waxman’s Brisket* Cider Braised Brisket* Cider-Braised Pork, Apples, and Vegetables* Coca-Cola Brisket* Dr Pepper Glazed Ham* Spiced Carrot Cake* Tomato Soup Cake* Mayonnaise Cake* Hardtack/Depression Era Spice Cookie* Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie* Cream Cheese PestoBooks and Publications* Becky Selengut’s upcoming cookbook (photographed by Clare Barboza)Where to Find Us* Amy Traverso* Instagram | Yankee* David Leite* Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Youtube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREIn this EpisodeHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments* 0:00 — Welcome & Who’s in the Room: Shoutouts to the live audience, plus a surprise cameo from The One—joining from 5,400 miles away in Uruguay while David holds down the fort.* 1:05 — Amy’s Food Week: Chicken meatballs with creamy Parmesan orzo (Half Baked Harvest), two rounds of sourdough, a buckwheat coconut chocolate chip cookie revelation from Sister Pie, and a sneak peek at a summer heirloom tomato and crispy chickpea salad destined for Yankee’s July issue.* 5:38 — David’s Food Week: The Great Cheese Hunt: Nine or ten sources, zero Scamorza—until Caputo’s of Salt Lake City saved the white lasagna. Plus: a slightly underwhelming (but lobster-knuckle-redeemed) dinner at the Mermaid Inn.* 12:30 — Mailbag: Queen-of-the-night tomato seeds from BBQ Goddess near Yosemite, and a stunning Italian cookies cookbook sent straight from Domenica Marchetti herself.* 17:38 — Kate McDermott Joins the Show: The Pie Whisperer is in da house! David recounts the pear pie workshop in New York, the legendary pastry cloth Kate made him, and the leaf lard gift that started it all.* 20:32 — What Is a Pot Pie, Actually? Kate’s definition: a savory, thick stew or casserole with a crust on top—and the accidental pitch for a High Times “pot pie” feature that never was.* 21:54 — Single Crust vs. Double Crust Showdown: The audience weighs in (doubles win decisively). David makes the case for starting on the lowest oven rack to vanquish the soggy bottom. Paul Hollywood would be proud.* 27:50 — Thickening, Breadcrumbs & MSG: Flour or cornstarch to thicken; seasoned panko mixed into the filling for body and flavor; and an impassioned defense of umami powder—”the thing I’m a little embarrassed about but use constantly.”* 31:37 — Amy’s Pork & Apple Pie with Cheddar Sage Crust: The Apple Lover’s Cookbook showstopper—breadcrumbs in the filling, layered apple slices on top, great at room temperature. A Cornish pasty’s elegant American cousin.* 33:46 — Hot Water Crust & Hand-Raised Pies: Kate on the pie dolly technique she learned from Sarah Pettigrew at the School of Artisan Food in Nottinghamshire, the all-important gelée drizzle, and why it’s not a proper pie without the jelly.* 39:44 — Do Potatoes Belong in a Pot Pie? Yes. Emphatically yes. (Amy’s complicated feelings about potatoes are aired. The Portuguese contingent is scandalized.)* 41:42 — Moment of Outrage: The OG Caramelized Onion: Those 12-year-olds on social media who think they just invented adding water to speed up caramelizing onions. Decades, people. Decades.* 42:26 — Kate’s Closing Report from St. Croix: A mango, papaya, and soursop crostata with a guava jam base, made with fruit from her brother-in-law’s farm at the University of the Virgin Islands. And a reminder from the pie queen herself: Be happy. Make pie.Recipes* Baked Sage Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo* Pork and Apple Pie with Cheddar Sage Crust* Homemade Chicken Pot Pie* Beef and Guinness Pie* Steak and Ale Pies* Chicken Pot Pies with Cheddar-Scallion Biscuits* Chicken Pot Pie with Herbed Mashed-Potato Crust* Chicken Pot Pie* New England Skillet Chicken Pie* Curry Chicken Pot Pie* Chicken and Leek Pot Pie* Irish Cream Chess Pie* Pain de Campagne* Dirt BombsBooks and Publications* Art of the Pie by Kate McDermott* Pie Camp by Kate McDermott* Home Cooking by Kate McDermott* Italian Cookies by Domenica Marchetti* Will This Make Me Happy? by Tanya Bush* Sister Pie by Lisa Ludwinski* King Arthur Big Book of Bread by King Arthur Baking CompanyEquipment* Pie DollyWhere to Find Us* Amy Traverso* Instagram | Yankee* David Leite* Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Youtube* Kate McDermott* Youtube | Facebook | Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREIn this EpisodeHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments* 01:28 — Why the Podcast stopped (The “Icky” Business of Sales): A candid look at the costs of production and why going “unscripted” on Substack is the new frontier.* 05:15 — The “Day-to-Day Grind”: Amy reveals how even a professional food editor loses the spark for cooking dinner (and the “Hello Fresh” solution).* 09:20 — The “Juno The Bakery” Mystery: Why are some of the world’s best bakery books so badly written? Amy and David vent about confusing recipes.* 11:45 — The 2-Ingredient Flatbread Debate: David’s “outrage and indignation” over viral TikTok food trends versus real culinary craft.* 13:21 — The Homemade SpaghettiO’s Reveal: David explains Anellini pasta and how he turned a canned childhood memory into a gourmet flat-lay.* 18:53 — Behind the Lens: David shares his specific lighting secrets (Godox AD 600) and how he makes “brown food” like chocolate mousse look like art, not 💩.* 26:38 — Caramelized Onions: The OG Method: David’s take-down of “new” TikTok hacks for onions. Spoiler: Water is the secret, and we’ve been doing it for decades.* 29:04 — Whatever Happened to Clementines? Amy’s moment of outrage over the “Mandarin-ization” of the produce aisle. (Thanks, Lyla Kraft)* 39:38 — Reading with the Boston Pops: Amy shares the nerve-wracking story of reading The Night Before Christmas at Symphony Hall.* 42:24 — A Tour of Portugalia Marketplace: A deep dive into the “Eataly of Portuguese Food” in Fall River—from the Salt Cod room to the best sardines.* 49:20 — Creative Escapism: Why Amy started watercolor painting and the “flow state” benefits of the right side of the brainRecipes* Garlic Butter Steak Bites* Chocolate Mousse (not the Portuguese version, that’s coming)Related Recipes* Vegetarian Lasagne* Easy Bechamel Sauce* Swedish Cardamom Buns* Seared Skirt Steak with Brazilian Salsa* Clam Shack-Style Fried ClamsCookbook Mentions* The Flavor Bible by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page* The Talisman of Happiness by Ada Boni* Who Put the Beef into Wellington? by James Winter (Rob Machado mentioned buying it)* Juno The Bakery by Emil Glaser and Nina Schmiegelow* Forever Paris by Marin Montagut* The Apple Lover’s Cookbook by The Ames herself!* The New Portuguese Table by moi* Notes on a Banana by meWeekend with Yankee* The new season of Weekend with Yankee premieres in April. (Check your local PBS listings.)Gear* Godox AD600Pro Witstro All-in-One Outdoor FlashWhere to Find Us* Amy Traverso* Instagram | Yankee* David Leite* Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Youtube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREOn February 26, I hopped on a Substack live, started talking, and didn’t stop for an hour. Here are the links to the recipes, equipment, cookbooks, and people I mentioned. Hope to see you next time.IN THIS EPISODEHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments00:00 — Welcome & agenda: We are trying out a new desktop live format. I share the agenda for the evening, including St. Patrick’s Day prep, a skillet showdown, and an exclusive 2026 cookbook sneak peek!03:08 — St. Patrick’s Day prep: I give a rundown of my foolproof homemade corned beef method. You can find the cure and cook kit at World Spice. The secrets to success are rinsing the meat well, cooking it low and slow, and always slicing against the grain.06:06 — Beyond corned beef: We explore other Irish classics from the site. The chocolate Guinness cake is incredibly moist with a cream cheese brown butter frosting. We also talk Irish latkes, beef and Guinness pie, and homemade Irish cream.10:01 — The great skillet debate: I explain why I made the switch from my Le Creuset nonstick to the Misen carbon steel pan. The Misen gets more nonstick over time, lets you use metal utensils, and avoids the forever chemicals found in traditional nonstick pans.14:24 — Book 1: Cookies by Vaughn Vreeland: We dive into a brilliant new cookbook featuring the greatest hits of NYT cookies. It even kicks off with my adapted 36-hour Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookie recipe!18:52 — Book 2: Who Put the Beef into Wellington? by James Winter: We check out a fantastic, photo-free deep dive into the food history behind classic dishes like Chicken Kiev and Waldorf Salad. It makes the absolute perfect hostess gift.22:31 — Book 3: Loaf Tin Bakes by Flavie Millet-Jeanon: I confess my love for baking and share this gorgeous book dedicated entirely to loaf cakes. It features genius techniques like hidden tubes of filling, which inspired me to buy a square Pullman pan for an upcoming triple lemon loaf cake.28:51 — Book 4: Centerpiece by Helen Graham: Even though I am notoriously vegetable-averse, this stunning, vegetable-forward book blew me away. Endorsed by Ottolenghi, it features incredible Middle Eastern and North African flavors.32:53 — Book 5: The Book of Pizza by King Arthur Baking Company: This is my absolute favorite of the bunch. It covers every pizza style imaginable, from New Haven clam to Detroit, with incredible photography and helpful QR codes.44:12 — Shoutout to Olga’s Basque cheesecake: I give a quick recommendation for a fantastic e-zine by our friend Olga all about Basque cheesecake. It’s phenomenally easy to bake without a water bath.45:45 — Lisbon recommendations: Answering a viewer’s question about Lisbon, I share my love for Pasteis de Belém and the incredible Time Out Lisbon market, specifically Pap’Açorda.51:59 — Portuguese food history: I drop a fun fact about how the Portuguese deep-fried green bean dish, peixinhos da horta, introduced the tempura technique to Japan!St. Patrick’s Day & My Corned Beef Cure + Cook KitRecipesSlow Cooker Irish Beef StewHomemade PastramiCorned Beef HashTwice-Baked Potatoes with Corned BeefBeef and Guinness PieCowboy Steaks with Guinness SaucePan Boxty ~ Irish Potato PancakesIrish Soda BreadGuinness Ice Cream FloatChocolate Guinness CakeMy Corned Beef Cure + Cook KitThe Gear: Le Creuset vs. Misen NonstickMisen Nonstick SkilletThe 2026 Cookbook Sneak PeekCookies by Vaughn VreelandPublished October 2025Book of Pizza by King Arthur Baking Company:Coming in April 2026.Centerpiece by Helen GrahamComing in April 2026Loaf Tin Bakes by Flavie Millet-JoannonComing April 2026Who Put the Beef into Wellington? by James WinterComing in May 2026Substackers MentionedHistorian in the Kitchen (review of Vaughn Vreeland’s “Cookies”)Olga Koutseridi (who has the e-zine about Basque cheesecake) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

Amy and David are back for the holidays. In today's show, we tackle the biggest Turkey Day disasters and how to fix them. Also, David offers up his foolproof five-day cooking schedule so that all you have to do on Thanksgiving is roast the bird and reheat the sides. Oh, and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.Recipes mentioned in this episode:Dry Cured Turkey with Sage and ApplesDry Cured Turkey with Juniper and RosemaryDry Brined TurkeyRoasted Garlic Mashed PotatoesSweet Potato Soufflé with Pecan Crunch ToppingCrispy Caramelized Sweet PotatoesSpicy Roasted Brussels SproutsBrussels Sprouts with Dates, Walnuts, and LemonChai Spiced Cranberry SauceEarl Grey Cranberry SaucePumpkin Chiffon PiePumpkin Cake with Maple Cream Cheese FrostingPumpkin Pecan Pie--Follow us on social:Instagram: @amytraverso @davidleiteTwitter: @amytraverso @davidleiteFacebook: @amytraverso @davidleite This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

Yeah, we know. It sounds like a cheesy 1960s song. And speaking of the '60s, neither Amy nor producer Adam were alive at the time. Only David was.And that got us thinking: What were the foods we loved, adored, and lived for through the stages of our lives? Everything from Pop-Tarts (David remembers when they didn't come frosted) to Amy's beloved chili crisps.Listen along and tell us on our Patreon page (it's free to join) what were the foods of your life?Please consider supporting our show. For as little as $3.00, you can help keep the show on the air. In this episode:Surprise CupcakesMatzo BreiPaper Bag Meatloaf3 Cup ChickenBatter-Fried ChickenFlourless Chocolate Cloud CakeHomemade MustardEggless Chocolate Cookie Dough--Follow us on social:Instagram: @amytraverso @davidleiteTwitter: @amytraverso @davidleiteFacebook: @amytraverso @davidleite This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com

Today, we had the privilege of interviewing the multi-talented Nathan Myrvold, the renowned scientist, archeologist, physicist, photographer, chef, and author of the acclaimed Modernist Cusine books. Our discussion centered around his latest masterpiece, the comprehensive Modernist Bread at Home.In his ineffable way, Nathan talks bread history, science, lore, and technique. Take a listen, but make sure to have a pen and paper with you. There's a lot a useful info for the next time you bake a loaf.Please consider supporting our show. For as little as $3.00, you can help keep the show on the air. Visit our new Patreon page and subscribe!In this episode:Slow-Roasted Leg of LambIna Garten's Lemon Mashed PotatoesChocolate cake with Salted Caramel FrostingRhubarb Upside-Down CakeRhubarb Eton MessNathan Myhrvold's Challah (Available to Patreon subscribers in our latest newsletter)Nathan Myhrvold's Hawaiian Rolls (Available to Patreon subscribers in our latest newsletter)--Follow us on social:Instagram: @amytraverso @davidleiteTwitter: @amytraverso @davidleiteFacebook: @amytraverso @davidleite This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com