The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters 814: Ottolenghi Comfort with Yotam Ottolenghi and Classic German Cooking with Luisa Weiss
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Nov 7, 2025 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.
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Comfort Is Cultural But Patterned
- Comfort food varies by culture but often shares carbs, fat, and sugar as common elements.
- Texture and memory also shape comfort more than universal dish lists.
Make Thousand‑Hole Pancakes Right
- Let batter ferment and bubble to create Moroccan "thousand-hole" pancakes full of holes and airy texture.
- Serve them warm and eat with hands, paired with salted honey butter and nuts for maximum comfort.
Texture Trumps Complex Sauces
- Texture often matters more than flavor for comfort: correct mouthfeel can make or break dishes like pancakes and pasta.
- Preserving ideal texture (e.g., al dente pasta) sustains the comforting quality.