The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

814: Ottolenghi Comfort with Yotam Ottolenghi and Classic German Cooking with Luisa Weiss

Nov 8, 2024

Yotam Ottolenghi, beloved for his Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, shares insights from his latest book, discussing how dishes like 'Thousand Hole Pancakes' connect us to memories and emotions through texture and taste. Luisa Weiss, author of 'Classic German Cooking,' reflects on her childhood favorites, such as hearty school lunches and the comfort of ‘abendrot’ dinners. Together, they explore the cultural significance and global diversity of comfort food, challenging stereotypes while celebrating the richness of traditional German dishes like Käsespätzle.

49:17

Episode guests

Louisa Weiss

Yotam Ottolenghi

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Yotam Ottolenghi's exploration of comfort food emphasizes the profound emotional connections people have with their favorite meals, influenced by personal memories and cultural backgrounds.

Texture is a crucial element in comfort food, significantly impacting emotional responses and enhancing the overall multisensory experience of eating.

Luisa Weiss highlights the cultural richness of German cuisine, showcasing its diverse influences and the emotional ties people have to traditional family recipes.

Deep dives

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Intro

4min

Exploring Moroccan Thousand Hole Pancakes

2min

The Tactile Joy of Comfort Food

6min

Comfort in Chicken Soup

7min

Culinary Roots and Comforts

14min

Revisiting the Rich Traditions of Classic German Cuisine

2min

Rediscovering German Cuisine

16min

Celebrating Comfort Food and a Holiday Recipe Contest

3min

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Pandora

This week, we talk about comfort food around the world. First, Yotam Ottolenghi tells us about his latest book, which is filled with recipes for his favorite comfort foods. He talks about what it is about specific dishes that evoke emotional reactions, from taste to texture to memory like his recipe for “Thousand” Hole Pancake. Yotam’s latest book is Ottolenghi Comfort written with his collaborators Helen Goh, Verena Lochmuller, and Tara Wigley. Then, Luisa Weiss joins us to talk about her deep connection to German food. Growing up between Berlin and the US, she tells us about her favorite hot school lunches, (which are famous in German culture!), “low key dinners” known as abendbrot, and the influences German dishes have gleaned from other countries. Luisa is the author of Classic German Cooking, and she leaves us with her recipe for Käsespätzle, Swabian Noodles with Mountain Cheese and Caramelized Onions.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

November 8, 2024 (originally aired)

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