The January slump is hitting, and cooking is starting to feel pretty dull. But rather than giving up entirely, we’re leaning on the power of our pantries. Instead of re-inventing the wheel (of cheese?), we can rely on a few tried and true staples that we always have around, and use them in new and inventive ways. This week on the podcast, Amanda chats with associate food editor Kendra Vaculin and recipe developer extraordinaire Hetty McKinnon, who spill the tea about a few of their favorite year-round flavor boosters. Then, Ken Concepcion and Michelle Mungcal from Now Serving LA—a beloved cookbook shop that you should absolutely visit in LA’s Chinatown—stop by to share a few secret weapon cookbooks you’ll actually end up using.

Stuff we talk about in this episode: 

• Kimchi Kooks website  https://www.kimchikooks.com/
• Hetty McKinnon’s One-Pot Kimchi and Squash Mac and Cheese recipe https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/one-pot-kimchi-and-squash-mac-and-cheese
• To Asia, With Love by Hetty McKinnon https://amzn.to/3xCjMqR
• Recipes from To Asia, with Love featuring Mushroom and Kimchi ‘Sausage Rolls’ https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/news/four-recipes-from-to-asia-with-love-by-hetty-mckinnon-20200716-h1peny
• Hetty McKinnon’s Sheet Pan Kimchi Fried Rice with Baked Eggs recipe https://www.today.com/recipes/sheet-pan-kimchi-fried-rice-baked-eggs-recipe-t173872
• Priya Krishna’s Saag Paneer, But With Feta recipe https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/saag-paneer-but-with-feta
• Kendra Vaculin’s Spinach-Artichoke Dip Frittata recipe https://www.epicurious.com/the-smart-cook/spinach-dip-frittata-easy-dinner-article
• Brooklyn Delhi Saag Paneer recipe https://brooklyndelhi.com/blogs/news/saag-paneer
• Shilpa Uskokovic’s Creamy Spinach and Chickpeas recipe https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/creamy-spinach-and-chickpeas
• Hetty McKinnon’s Thai Curry Risotto recipe https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021947-thai-curry-risotto-with-squash-and-green-beans
• Now Serving - Los Angeles website

Ken and Michelle’s Cookbook Recommendations: 

• Everyone’s Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health by Gregory Gourdet with JJ Goode https://amzn.to/3GznANb
• Aloha Kitchen: Recipes from Hawai’i by Alana Kysar  https://amzn.to/3FDEGZ0
• Thank You for Smoking: Fun and Fearless Recipes Cooked with a Whiff of Wood Fire on Your Grill or Smoker by Paula Disbrowe https://amzn.to/3AitvE8

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