The Storied Recipe

Did you know coffee blossoms smell sweet and heady, like a citrus or Jasmine blossom? I certainly did not know that - or dozens of facts shared by today’s guest, Accamma Nanjappa, owner of Bean Song Coffee, which ships internationally from India.

I think the best way to introduce to you today’s guest, Accamma Nanjappa, is to read an excerpt of her recipe submission. She says, “It must be noted that the Kodavas or the people of Coorg are not just warriors, but are also children of nature. Hence all our major festivals are celebrations of nature. And what is a celebration without food?” Today Accamma takes us far, far away into the high hills and deep forests of Kodagu, where the Kodava people still observe ancient traditions around the cycle of sowing, planting, and harvesting. In addition to educating me on the language and history of the Kodavas, Accamma shares very personal memories of celebratory nights spent on her family’s plantation marking the harvest of first rice, then coffee, mandarins, and black pepper. As for Accamma’s Storied Recipe, this is the first time a guest ever gave me a recipe that began with the instructions, “Make the flour”! However, as Accamma walked me through the process of making Thambuttu, which, in her words is like gluten-free, unbaked thick banana (covered with ghee, nutty unhulled sesame seeds, and fresh coconut shavings), I grew much more confident - and, of course, learned a lot too. I mean, did you know you could turn rice into a flour in just 20 minutes? I didn’t! Two more quick notes: Accamma and I began communicating about a year ago, when I released an episode with Kaveri Ponnapa titled, “Vanishing Things: Monsoons, Mushrooms, and Culture.” You’ll definitely want to listen to this one as well - find the link in the show notes! Accamma owns BeanSong Coffee, a coffee company that ships WORLDWIDE. Some of her coffee beans are grown on the very plantation she was raised on; others come from the birthplace of coffee in India. I had so much to learn about the Coorg people AND the coffee business, I’ve actually split our conversation into two episodes. So you can look forward to hearing more from Accamma in the next one - But more on that later - for now, Welcome Accamma and thank you all for being here! Highlights Why I was intimidated by Thambutti (“Make your own flour) Details about the 3 festivals of the Kodava people - worship of tools & weapons, worship of the spring, worship of the harvest What the thunder and lighting signified…. Why July and August were deemed inausipicious The very ancient history of the Coorg people, going back to the Greeks and Alexander Women warriors? And who were the warring against? Beginning boarding school at 4.5 years old Other foods at the Puthari festival Coorg larders - and how to protect their food from cats! The large family homes that last for generations with rooms for each clan Listen to Accamma Now Images from the Puthari Celebrations in Coorg Images from BeanSong Coffee Accamma's Storied Recipe: Thambuttu https://thestoriedrecipe.com/thambuttu-no-bake-banana-dessert-from-india Find Accamma and Bean Song Coffee Visit the BeanSong Website Print of the Month Sale! Shop now More Episodes with Food Professionals More South Asian Recipes

Murielle has been working on her debut cookbook for 4 years and last month, it was finally released to immediate acclaim. For the last 4 years, I’ve known, for sure that whatever Murielle produced would be well worth the wait. And indeed, her cookbook is visually stunning and full of vegan recipes that are inspired by her own global heritage - and that appeal to omnivores like me and my family. I’ve already given a copy of this book to a friend of mine, who excitedly texted me to say she had as many recipes dogeared as I have in my copy.

Chef Larry Nguyen share's his family origin story, lessons learned in the hard world of restaurant work, and the art and science of fermentation.

Today I’m welcoming Ruth Newman to the podcast, a “cookier” who specializes in creating intricately decorated sugar cookies for showers, charities, and friends. However, she has never felt the urge to turn her beloved hobby into a career. And that, in fact, is exactly the reason she is my guest today. In 2024, I wanted at least some of the episodes I release to be just easy, meandering conversations with everyday people that I’ve never met before. Without publicists or books, series, or movements to sell, sometimes it's everyday people who restore our faith in the power of food and remind us to nurture and celebrate connections to our closest people, the people who, quite frankly, may cheer for us, but don’t really care what we do or how successful we are. Ruth begins by sharing her recipe for German Rouladen, a complicated beef dish she made for the 200 guests at her only child’s wedding. After discussing the recipe and a day so special it still stand out in Ruth’s memory 25 years later, we wind our way through topics and stories, ending with the people who are supporting Ruth and her husband through his Parkinson’s disease, which has now reached a 4th stage. While I’ve got some powerhouse episodes lined to share with you in the next few weeks - and I’m thrilled, honored, and excited to share those episodes - I know I will not enjoy them any more than this simple discussion with Ruth about the memories and values that truly make a life worth living. Thank you, Ruth! Highlights A day so special Ruth clearly remembers it 25 years later The best daughter-in-law in the world ;-) All the tips on making this complicated Rouladen (beef rolled around pickles and cooked in gravy!) recipe Is lean bacon a thing? A day of preparation! :-) Wringing out hundreds of potatoes in towels! What makes German potato salad different Ruth’s special relationship with her only child and how food and cooking solidified the recipe Memories of Yan Can Cook on PBS The German -> Russia -> North America migration pattern Newman <- Neumann Memories of her father and uncle speaking German, playing German music, and teaching them German polkas - and hearty German dishes with delicious desserts Ruth’s real interest: baking, decorated cookies, and scones (Lemon Cream Scones!!) Cookie and scone tips! Parkinson’s - The diagnosis, the advance, how it has changed her husband, and how we can support friends with the disease. All the people who support Ruth in their Parkinson’s trial Listen to Ruth Now Ruth's Storied Recipe: German Beef Rouladen https://thestoriedrecipe.com/how-to-make-beef-rouladen-the-traditional-german-way/ Connect with Ruth Newman Email: ruthnewman@mac.com More Episodes with Multi-Generational North Americans More Western European Recipes

A conversation with Alda Sigmondsdottir about her favorite Icelandic recipe and her powerful new memoir written at the intersection of childhood trauma, mental health, and spiritual healing.

Icelandic Chef Stefan discusses how Prir Frakkar “dared to be different” by creating an elevated menu from traditional Icelandic dishes, using almost exclusively Icelandic ingredients. We go into his family’s story, of course, and he educates me on the whaling industry, the Icelandic financial crisis in 2008, the resulting boom in tourism, and much more.

A conversation with Mexican-American cookbook author Deborah Johnson on creating rituals to cultivate joy.

Happy New Year!! Kicking of 2024 with my 4 favorite guests - my sons, Jack, Marcus, Joshua and Nicholas!

The Christmas Story, according to the gospel of Luke.

Every Christmas, this immigrant family made a British classic with laughter, joy, booze - and everyone got at least one turn with the spoon.

M Aimee shares all about her Christmas memories in Indonesia, from security risks to piano battles with family. Also shares an Indonesian Christmas cookie made with gouda, coconut, and pandan.

Welcome Diana! This one is a little outside the mold for the Christmas Around the World series. You see, Diana’s childhood, the culture she was raised in, and the Christmases she enjoyed weren’t really defined by the places she lived, geographically. In fact, her family moved 22 times in 17 years. Rather, her experiences were mainly defined by the agricultural communities she and her family traveled between. Diana was raised in the Bruderhof, a global collection of self-sustaining farms where all members surrender their personal goods (yep, including Christmas presents) and accept roles for the greater good of the community. Although Diana ultimately chose to leave the Bruderhof community when she was 19, moving to NYC to work as a chef, she retains warm memories of some aspects of her rather unique childhood. Some of the best of these memories include Christmastime, which were full of German Christmas traditions like decorating simply with apples and candles, singing spiritual songs, and making classic bakes like these traditional British Mincemeat Pies she's shared with us. From the time Diana was in high school she spent increasingly more hours in the kitchen (which she truly loved, although it was very heard labor) preparing daily suppers for her communities of 400 people. Thrilled to welcome Diana to the Christmas Around the World series today - and thank YOU so much for being here. Highlights Vision of the Bruderhof: People who wanted to live together, share everything, wear flowers, and run through the fields. Why no members keep their jobs, titles, or possessions Why Diana lived in 5 countries but associates Christmas with Germany Bruderhof Christmas traditions: singing, simple gifts, communal nights, childlike, not gluttonous, simplicity Happy memories: Fairytale snowy Christmases outdoors in nature in Upstate New York Rations of 1 cup of sugar per person per month Making sugar snow candy!!! Christmas presents in a community that doesn’t believe in personal possessions School from 7am to 5pm, including working on the farm and in the kitchen Diana’s exposure to food from seed to table. How much Diana loved cooking for 400 people as a teenager Diana’s journey out of Bruderhof and how. Why there was no Christmas cooking/baking at home Which Christmas traditions Diana kept from the Bruderhof, and how her journey out of Bruderhof is reflected in her changing Christmas traditions German Lebkukken: Gingerbread cookies as ornaments > food. A special night 100 candles on the tree - Each person lights a candle and says someone you’re praying for. Angel chimes and the time Diana’s pigtail caught on fire. Mincemeat pies!!! Diana’s memories and lots of ways to make them. Rutherford Family Christmas Pictures :-) Listen to Diana Now Diana's Storied Recipe https://thestoriedrecipe.com/mincemeat-tarts-christmas-pies More Christmas Around the World Recipes More Christmas Desserts Around the World

Sophie shares

Heartwarming episode with Marlene, who has lived 70 years on her ranch in Montana, first as a child, then a wife, mother, business owner and farmer. Her memories exist in the Walnut Povitica recipe that came from her Austrian mother.

B Santos grew up in a tropical paradise with a lively, intellectual family. Her love of art took her to New York, then to Germany, where she wrote a thesis on the changing depictions of food in art during the Renaissance.

Author Agatha Achindu discusses how her upbringing by a Nigerian mother and Cameroonian mother gave her the foundation for health and wellness she now teaches others.

An interview with Gabriela Houston about childhood memories of time with her grandparents in the Polish Lake District that hsaped her book, The Bone Roots.

Honored to welcome two special guests to the podcast today: musician Sarah Aroeste and chef Susan Barocas. They share unique connections as Sephardic Jews with roots tracing back to a large, influential, and ancient Macedonian town. Sadly, during the Holocaust, nearly the entire population of that town was lost - a shocking 98%, in fact. Both Sarah and Susan are passionate about preserving Sephardic culture. As enthusiastic researchers, they delve deep into historical records, oral traditions, and stories. Together, they're on a mission to curate and share this rich heritage with all of us. But what makes their "Savor! project unique and truly remarkable is how they express this shared passion differently. The "Savor" experience is, in part, a music album filled of Sephardic songs about food, sung in the Ladino language. It's also a collection of recipes that go hand in hand with each song. Plus, Susan and Sarah have created videos featuring female chefs demonstrating these recipes, all while discussing their personal connection to food and Sephardic culture. As we approach the Jewish High Holy Days, I’m thrilled to have Sarah and Susan here to discuss Sephardic history and heritage. As you’ll hear, they teach me so much, not only about Sephardic culture, but also about the profound role of food and music in preserving heritage, tradition, history, values, and stories. Highlights A concept album: How the Savor project of pairing Sephardic recipes & songs began Sarah and Susan’s shared heritage in Bitola (formerly Monastir) in Northern Macedonia, where 98% of the town was exterminated in the Holocaust The distinctions among Jews (Sephardic vs. Ashkenazi) are a modern construction When & how did the lineages and stories of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews How the geography, language (Ladino), and music of the Sephardics developed The core elements of liturgy and customs that unite all Jews The effects of the multi-century Spanish Inquisition on the entire Jewish populations, especially Sephardic Jews The Holocaust was deadly for Sephardic Jews as well Sarah’s story: “Music was my life.” How Sarah pivoted from classical opera to performing as a Ladino singer. How did Sarah and her mentor uncovered and created Ladino music No such thing as “authentic” or “traditional” Sephardic music or recipes Sopa de Ajo: Allium Soap - Why Sarah chose it Alliums and the Inquisition Susan’s story: Her father as teacher How Sephardic cooking spread to and melded with the rest of the world’s cuisine How to prepare garlic until it’s “mellow, sweet, and flavorful” Susan’s tips for preparing leeks Listen to Sarah and Susan Now Learn More About the SAVOR Experience! Website: www.savorexperience.com Intro to The Savor Experience on YouTube Susan's Storied Recipe: Sopa de Ajo https://thestoriedrecipe.com/sopa-de-ajo-healing-garlic-green-soup-for-a-cold More Episodes with Guests of Jewish Heritage Related Recipes

In the second episode with Auntie Mary, we hear about her 10 siblings - their individual personalities, challenges, and life together in Palestine and the United States. As immigrants to this country, they shared the burden of making a new life together - and a success for one was a success for all.