Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio Sex, Murder and Chocolate
Dec 5, 2025
Aleksandra Crapanzano, a culinary writer and author, delves into the tantalizing history of chocolate, revealing its dark tales of controversy, including church disputes and a poisoned bishop in Mexico. She also shares delicious recipes, like her Red-Wine Chocolate Cake. Joining her is David Katznelson, a record producer, who highlights the communal spirit of traditional drinking songs and shares fascinating stories from field recordings. Together, they blend history, culture, and culinary delights with a sprinkle of mischief.
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Episode notes
Fix Soupy Cranberry Pie
- Cook cranberries with sugar and a little water until they are very thick before filling a pie shell.
- Reduce molasses (to ~¼–½ cup) or add pectin if mixture still fails to set.
Roast Pork: Pull Low, Sear Briefly
- Roast and slow-cook pork to target lower internal temps, then finish briefly at high heat to sear.
- Pull pork earlier (around 120–130°F) to allow carryover to reach desired doneness and rest 15–20 minutes.
Childhood Chocolate Piano Memory
- Aleksandra Crapanzano remembers ordering a chocolate piano daily as a child during a family crisis in Zurich.
- She carefully dismantled and ate the edible baby-grand, which taught her chocolate's place in everyday life.
