Actor Jason Mantzoukas, a novice in the kitchen, joins the hosts for a fun discussion. Topics include recreating a delicious salmon dip, using bamboo steamers for sweet potatoes, exploring unknown vegetables, roasting fennel, and seasoning cast iron skillets.
Roasting vegetables and making avocado toast are beginner-friendly and delicious dishes that require minimal ingredients and preparation.
Using condiments like balsamic vinegar and stocking up on staple ingredients such as rice, beans, and pasta can enhance flavors and serve as a foundation for creating simple yet satisfying meals.
Deep dives
Simple Cooking Ideas: Roasting Vegetables and Making Avocado Toast
One main idea discussed in the podcast episode is the importance of simple cooking ideas that are beginner-friendly and delicious. The hosts suggest roasting vegetables as a versatile and easy way to prepare a variety of veggies, such as Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and broccolini. Another simple dish mentioned is avocado toast, which involves toasting bread and topping it with mashed avocado and various seasonings. These dishes require minimal ingredients and preparation, making them ideal for beginners.
Utilizing Condiments and Stocking up on Ingredients
Another key point addressed in the episode is the use of condiments to enhance flavors in dishes. The hosts recommend stocking up on various condiments, such as balsamic vinegar and different spices, to add depth and complexity to meals. Additionally, the importance of having staple ingredients like rice, beans, and pasta is emphasized, as these items can serve as a foundation for creating simple yet satisfying meals.
Creating Emulsified Sauces and Using Chickpea Water
The hosts discuss the process of creating emulsified sauces using simple techniques, such as boiling pasta water and incorporating it with olive oil and other ingredients. This creates a starchy and oily emulsion that adds richness to dishes. Furthermore, they introduce the concept of aquafaba, which is the liquid from canned chickpeas. This liquid can be used as a vegan alternative in recipes that require egg whites, such as making mayonnaise or meringues.
Cooking with Fennel and Easy Pasta Recipes
The podcast episode highlights the use of fennel as an ingredient in cooking. The hosts suggest roasting fennel until it caramelizes to reduce the anise flavor. They describe a simple pasta recipe that combines garlic, red chili flakes, chickpeas, and kale or broccolini. This dish can be made by sautéing garlic and chili flakes in olive oil, adding cooked chickpeas, and tossing the mixture with cooked pasta and the greens. Optional additions like lemon juice and parmesan cheese can enhance the flavors.
We’re joined by actor Jason Mantzoukas, one of our favorite people. He’s a novice in the kitchen who needs a little help getting comfortable with some cooking basics. Plus, we call up Hrishi’s dad, a.k.a. Sumesh Uncle the Food Scientist, for some information on his newest favorite gadget: an air fryer.
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