548: How to Quit Your Job to Write a Cookbook with Kristina Cho
Feb 24, 2025
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Kristina Cho, an award-winning cookbook author known for her books like 'Mooncakes and Milk Bread,' shares her journey from architecture to the culinary world. She dives into her rich family history and how it shapes her creative recipes. Eleanor Wilkinson, author of 'One Pot, One Portion,' discusses innovative cooking strategies for individuals. Together, they explore cultural identity through food, blending Midwestern flavors with Cantonese techniques, and the joys of cooking for one while minimizing waste.
Kristina Cho's successful transition from architecture to cookbook authoring showcases the power of following one’s passion and narrative in food.
Her approach to integrating traditional Asian cooking with American identity encourages home cooks to be resourceful and adventurous in their recipes.
The trend of cooking for one highlights efficient meal preparation strategies that reduce waste while promoting self-care through enjoyable dining experiences.
Deep dives
The Rich History of Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard, crafted by M.I. since 1747, boasts a rich historical foundation impacting French cuisine. This sort of mustard elevates dishes from simple sandwiches to gourmet meals, offering a unique flavor profile that enhances various recipes. M.I.'s commitment to craftsmanship over 270 years highlights the transformation of a basic condiment into a culinary staple, reflecting both tradition and innovation. The podcast discusses how this versatile ingredient can inspire creativity in cooking and enhance the overall dining experience.
Christina Cho's Culinary Journey
Christina Cho transitioned from architecture to the culinary arts, driven by a passion for food and storytelling. Her debut cookbook, 'Mooncakes and Milk Bread,' won prestigious James Beard Awards, showcasing her skill in marrying personal narratives with recipes. The journey from her familial restaurant background to becoming a successful cookbook author illustrates her dedication to preserving cultural narratives through food. This evolution emphasizes how her architectural insight enriches her approach to recipe development, making cooking more accessible and enjoyable.
Elevating Home Cooking with Personal Touch
Cho's unique perspective merges traditional Asian cooking with an American identity, focusing on accessibility to fresh ingredients. She emphasizes how acknowledging the availability of ingredients and being resourceful can empower home cooks to explore beyond their comfort zones. Throughout her work, she draws from her upbringing in Cleveland, blending influences from American and Asian cuisines to create approachable recipes. This blend fosters a sense of belonging and encourages exploration in the kitchen, particularly for those unfamiliar with Asian cooking.
The Concept of Cooking for One
The new trend of cooking for one addresses the challenge of food waste and simplifies meal preparation for individuals. The idea centers around creating recipes that are easy to execute, allowing for a personal dining experience without excessive leftovers. By designing meals that use overlapping ingredients, home cooks can efficiently utilize their groceries while enjoying diverse meals. This approach not only minimizes waste but also enriches the act of self-care through the joy of preparing and savoring food alone.
Innovative Recipe Techniques
The podcast highlights innovative techniques for making traditional dishes easier to prepare, such as a simplified lasagna recipe that completes in under 30 minutes. This method utilizes fresh lasagna sheets folded into a savory meat ragu, bypassing the lengthy layering process typically associated with lasagna. Such techniques represent a broader movement towards making cooking less daunting and more accessible for home cooks. By employing these strategies, individuals can recreate comforting meals while saving time and maintaining flavor integrity.
Kristina Cho is an award-winning cookbook author, recipe developer, home cook, baker, food stylist, and photographer. Her terrific debut cookbook, Mooncakes and Milk Bread, won her two James Beard awards, and her follow-up, Chinese Enough, is a big favorite of all of us at TASTE. We were so happy to have Kristina in the studio, where we found out about how she pivoted from a career in architecture to work on food full time. It was a bet that paid off, and we dig into Kristina’s family history and how she writes her incredibly inspired recipes. Kristina and Matt are appearing together at the Tucson Festival of Books on March 15.
Also on the show we have a really fun conversation with Eleanor Wilkinson. She is the author of a very cool new book, One Pot, One Portion.
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