Food and cooking columnist Eric Kim shares his penchant for playful holiday twists like deviled eggs with seaweed and the joy of making dumplings with friends. Emily Weinstein, editor-in-chief of New York Times Cooking, emphasizes simplicity and accessibility in festive recipes, highlighting the importance of communal meals. They delve into cherished culinary traditions and personal anecdotes that enrich holiday gatherings, while inviting listeners to reflect on their own go-to dishes that evoke nostalgia and connection.
Eric Kim encourages innovative twists on traditional holiday dishes, promoting creativity and fostering communal cooking experiences with friends.
The podcast highlights the joy of interactive dining, such as baked potato bars and customizable topping stations, enhancing guest engagement.
Both hosts emphasize the importance of planning and simplifying meal preparation to ensure a stress-free holiday experience focused on connection.
Deep dives
Embracing Innovation in Holiday Cooking
Holidays are an opportunity to innovate traditional dishes, as reflected in Eric Kim's approach to festive meals. He incorporates unique twists on classic recipes, such as deviled eggs with seaweed and baked potatoes topped with caramelized kimchi. These modern takes not only elevate the dishes but also encourage communal cooking experiences, like making dumplings and empanadas with friends. Such gatherings create a collaborative atmosphere that makes cooking enjoyable and memorable.
The Joy of Baked Potato Bars
The concept of a baked potato bar serves as a fun and customizable dining option for holiday gatherings. By roasting a large batch of potatoes without foil, the skins turn crispy while the insides become fluffy, providing the perfect base for various toppings. Eric suggests popular options, including aliyah oliyah, caramelized kimchi, and hot honey for sweet potatoes, allowing guests to mix and match according to their preferences. This interactive meal style recalls nostalgic moments from childhood and fosters a relaxed party atmosphere.
Creating Interactive Holiday Feasts
Emily Weinstein emphasizes the importance of interactive cooking during the holidays, fostering a spirit of togetherness. Setting up a toppings bar for latkes or pasta allows guests to customize their dishes while engaging in lively conversations. This approach not only makes meal prep more enjoyable but also alleviates the pressure on the host. The idea of including diverse toppings also caters to varied tastes, ensuring that everyone leaves satisfied.
Traditional Dishes with a Personal Touch
Both hosts reflect on the significance of traditional foods in holiday celebrations and how personal touches enhance these dishes. For instance, Eric's family's tradition of ham at Christmas involves simmering the meat in various sodas to balance its saltiness and sweetness. Emily shares her family's evolving menu, which has included dishes from various cultures, like lasagna, brisket, and fish, showcasing the blend of ideas and flavors that are now part of their holiday meals. These conversations illustrate how personal history and heritage shape holiday menus.
Simplifying Holiday Meal Prep
The discussion highlights practical strategies for simplifying holiday meal preparation, which can be stressful. Emily suggests planning meals in advance, making grocery lists, and preparing certain dishes ahead of time to reduce the workload when guests arrive. Focusing on one-pot meals or dishes that can be reheated helps minimize the stress associated with cooking for large gatherings. Ultimately, the aim is to prioritize spending quality time with family and friends over culinary perfection.
For New York Times cooking columnist Eric Kim, the holidays are a time to embrace traditional dishes but have fun with the framework – like deviled eggs with seaweed or baked potatoes with caramelized kimchi. They’re also an occasion, he says, to get together with friends and make huge batches of “foldy” foods like dumplings and empanadas. We’ll talk to Kim and New York Times editor-in-chief for cooking and food Emily Weinstein about what they have cooking this holiday and hear about your go-to dishes for the season.
Guests:
Eric Kim, food and cooking columnist, The New York Times; author, "Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home"
Emily Weinstein, editor-in-chief, New York Times Cooking and Food; author, "Easy Weeknight Dinners: 100 Fast, Flavor-Packed Meals for People Who Still Want Something Good to Eat
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