The hottest Cooking Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Food & Drink Topics

Diana's Peak Summer Corn Salad

The Amateur Gourmet Newsletter • 275 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The author enjoyed a weekend with friends in Irvington, filled with fun activities like water balloons and ice cream
  2. The writer found it impressive how their friends managed to host them and take care of three kids at the same time
  3. The post features a recipe for a delicious corn salad shared by the host, Diana

no. 78: because i need a duck

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The dish _lou arh_ is a traditional braised duck dish in Singapore associated with Teochew cooking.
  2. The process of cooking _lou arh_ is heavily influenced by family traditions and personal adaptations over time.
  3. Creating a recipe for _lou arh_ is a personal journey that involves memories and experiences, rather than just following a set of instructions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

no. 70: resplendent tails

let them eat cake • 259 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Enjoying diverse cuisines in different parts of the world can offer insights into the unique cultural and historical influences on food preparation and presentation.
  2. Restaurants with vastly different culinary traditions may still share similar formal dining practices, suggesting a universal appreciation for elegance in food service.
  3. Exploring local eateries in small villages can provide a deep connection to the authentic flavors, culinary practices, and regional charm of a place.

Uniquely yours

10x your mind • 159 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. People have different ways of achieving their goals, like being a whirlwind or a tranquil lake.
  2. Slowing down can be a powerful method for success, just like having a fast-paced approach.
  3. Embrace your unique style and approach to tasks in order to achieve success.

no. 75: Forming an Edge

let them eat cake • 239 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The sharpness of a knife is measured not just by its edge, but by its ability to cut effectively through various materials like oranges and tomato skin.
  2. Knife sharpening is a personal act of modification, shaping the knife to meet individual needs and preferences.
  3. The geometry of a knife, including its shape and design, plays a critical role in its performance in the kitchen more than the specific edge angles.

Girlfood

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 235 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The trend of 'girl dinner' involves young women making meals out of snacks, sparking discussions on social media.
  2. Having simple snack meals every night can feel tedious, especially when lacking a kitchen for an extended period.
  3. Eating styles can be influenced by gender dynamics, with certain meal types being associated more with specific social situations or relationships.

Vittles Kids: A Sunday Supplement

Vittles • 100 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Feeding kids is not just about what they eat but also about their fun and discovery. It's a mix of play and learning, which can be surprising and messy.
  2. Parents share different experiences and advice about cooking for kids, like dealing with allergies or mixing cultural foods, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
  3. Finding good restaurant options for families with kids is important, and having recommendations can help parents enjoy meals out while introducing their children to new flavors.

Issue 06 – Eggs

Unbox Inbox • 158 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Issue 06 of the newsletter is about eggs.
  2. The newsletter offers a 7-day free trial for readers.
  3. Chloe List's newsletter, Unbox Inbox, is filled with packaging inspiration and observations.

Cooking Lessons From My Mennonite Grandma

The Analog Family • 219 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Make things from scratch whenever you can. It's often cheaper and tastes better than store-bought options.
  2. Be flexible with recipes. You can often substitute ingredients you have on hand, making cooking easier and more economical.
  3. Always make soup. It's a great way to use up leftover ingredients and is hearty and nourishing.

Rukmini Iyer’s Magical Children’s Party Recipes

Vittles • 94 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. It's important to keep kids engaged at parties with fun food and activities. Simple things like balloons and pizza can grab their attention quickly.
  2. Make sure to include allergy-friendly food options in your party menu. Recipes that are easy to make and can be shared help everyone enjoy the celebration.
  3. Don't stress too much about the food preparations. Just focus on a couple of simple recipes and ask for help from friends or family to manage the workload.

The Cooking Time Edition

Why is this interesting? • 784 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Understanding time as an ingredient in cooking is crucial for creating excellent dishes.
  2. Different cooking time ranges affect flavor profiles and textures; shorter times for quick sauces and longer times for richer stocks.
  3. Extended cooking times, like in master stocks, can create deep complexity, history, and community in dishes.

A correction and an update

Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy • 117 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The author corrected their claim about inventing intuitive shopping, crediting Isabel Slone for introducing the concept.
  2. The author shared an update on their quest to find anchovies in olive oil in Canada, discussing the disappointing taste of a purchase from a nearby store.
  3. Despite challenges, the author remains determined in their pursuit of the desired anchovies, navigating through various stores and asking for assistance.

Stress ReLeith: Chicken in Tarragon and Cream Sauce

Vittles • 133 implied HN points • 02 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Cooking can be a fun and therapeutic way to deal with anxiety. It helped someone overcome stress and improve their mental health during tough times.
  2. Taking an online cooking course can boost your skills and confidence in the kitchen. It can be a challenging yet rewarding experience, even if it's not all fun.
  3. You can make tasty meals quickly with fewer ingredients. Learning how to simplify recipes can make cooking enjoyable and efficient.

sixth slice

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 13 Aug 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Experimentation in food presentation is key - avoid common approaches and strive for something unique.
  2. Working in unfavorable conditions can be tough, but can also lead to surprising results.
  3. Don't be afraid to learn from mistakes and try again to improve - persistence is crucial in culinary endeavors.

Summer is the explosion of fruit while caterpillars are the explosion of juice

Soaring Twenties • 92 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Summer is a time for fresh fruits, like tomatoes, which require a lot of attention to grow well. It’s a rewarding experience to grow your own food.
  2. Hunting for caterpillars on plants can be a fun and engaging task, helping to protect the crops. Keeping an eye on pests is important for a successful garden.
  3. Making salsa is not just about following a strict recipe; it’s about enjoying the process and the flavors that come together from fresh ingredients. Cooking can be a joyful and creative activity.

Lemony Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas

The Jewish Table • 196 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The Jewish Table offers monthly Shabbat dinner menus with recipes and shopping lists.
  2. Menus include Ashkenazi-inspired dishes with a contemporary twist and promise a variety of future menu themes.
  3. Readers can subscribe for full access to the Shabbat menus and enjoy a 7-day free trial.

Ómós Digest #84 The King (and Queen) of Wild Smoked Salmon.

Ómós Digest • 196 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The story discusses the migration of people to West Cork in the 1970s and 1980s seeking a new cultural lifestyle
  2. The narrative highlights the importance of being persistent and kind when seeking to learn from experts in different crafts
  3. Sally Barnes's experience with smoking wild salmon reveals the environmental challenges and changes in fish quality over the years

Chef, Cook, Grandmother

Greed • 196 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The difference between a chef and a cook is in the training and environment.
  2. A cook relies on guest's reactions, while a chef is a trained professional in a kitchen.
  3. According to the author, cooks can reach the level of grandmothers in skill.

Greek Taverna Classics: Keftedes and Tyrokafteri

Vittles • 100 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Keftedes are tasty meatballs made with herbs and a mix of pork and beef to keep them juicy. They can be fried or cooked in tomato sauce for extra flavor.
  2. Tyrokafteri is a creamy and spicy dip made from chili peppers and feta cheese. It's a great match for keftedes and adds a unique kick to meals.
  3. Tavernas in Athens are special places that feel like home, where you can find good food and warm hospitality. They remind us that perfection is not necessary for a good meal.

You Can’t Go Wrong With Delia

Vittles • 282 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Delia Smith's recipes are a reliable choice for traditional Christmas dinners. Many people rely on her approach to make sure their meals turn out well.
  2. Celebrating Christmas can involve a mix of personal traditions and modern adjustments. It's important to adapt holiday meals to fit family and cultural backgrounds.
  3. Cooking for Christmas can bring back memories and connect us with our loved ones. It’s often about creating a warm atmosphere, regardless of the methods or ingredients used.

Three Dishes, One Soup

Vittles • 100 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The meal structure of three dishes and one soup is common in Malaysian Chinese homes. It's not just about the food, but also about care and tradition.
  2. Cooking can be simple and doesn't always have to be complicated, especially with a good plan. You can make dishes that take little time and effort while enjoying the process.
  3. Learning to cook is often about experience and feeling rather than following strict recipes. It's good to adjust flavors to your taste and trust your instincts in the kitchen.

Honey Marmite Fried Chicken

Vittles • 125 implied HN points • 28 May 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Honey Marmite Fried Chicken is a delicious dish that mixes sweet and savory flavors, and it's based on a popular Malaysian Chinese recipe.
  2. Marmite is a common pantry item in Malaysia, used in many local dishes for its rich umami taste, making it different from its reputation in the UK.
  3. The dish can be easily adapted for vegans by pairing the honey Marmite sauce with vegetables like tempeh or tofu.

Headcheese

Into the Hedge • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The process of butchering an animal for food can be emotionally intense and a reminder of the true cost of our food
  2. Making dishes like headcheese from uncommon parts of an animal can lead to a deeper connection with the food we eat
  3. Engaging in preparing and cooking food from scratch can offer valuable insights into the origins and value of our meals

no. 79: electric immigration

let them eat cake • 99 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Learning new skills can invigorate and add excitement to life, even after major changes like closing a restaurant.
  2. Investigating the origins and processes behind everyday items, like edible fats, can provide insight into larger societal trends.
  3. Exploring diverse dining options in strip malls while charging an electric vehicle can lead to unexpected cultural experiences and connections to immigrant communities.

Long Live the Banana Split! Katie Smith’s No-Churn Sundaes

Vittles • 89 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. You can easily make delicious no-churn ice cream at home with just a few ingredients, like condensed milk and whipped cream. It's a fun and simple way to enjoy ice cream without needing a machine.
  2. There are two classic sundaes you can make: the banana split and the knickerbocker glory. Both can be customized with your favorite toppings and sauces for a personal touch.
  3. Making sauces for your sundaes is easy too; you can choose a rich chocolate fudge or a fresh fruit sauce, depending on your taste. Feel free to be creative with toppings to make your sundae truly unique!

Nick Bramham’s Steak au Poivre

Vittles • 110 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Nick Bramham shares an affordable and delicious recipe for Steak au Poivre, perfect for special occasions. You can enjoy this dish without the expense of traveling to Paris.
  2. Cooking the steak properly is key, so letting it come to room temperature and seasoning it well helps achieve a better and more even cook. Techniques like searing and basting with butter enhance the flavor.
  3. This recipe is an easy way to recreate a restaurant favorite at home, making it accessible for anyone who loves good food without breaking the bank.

replacement lunch

let them eat cake • 199 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Differences in wages reflect societal values on labor, education, and automation.
  2. AI technology is changing the landscape of job application processes and the value of labor.
  3. The intrinsic value of human expertise in activities like cooking may not be easily replaceable by machines.

no. 68: old words

let them eat cake • 219 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The author's unique background and lack of traditional culinary training shaped their journey into becoming a cook.
  2. Working in a French restaurant led to valuable lessons and mentorship from experienced staff members.
  3. Experiencing the closure of a restaurant during Chinese New Year taught the author an important lesson in the industry.

Vittles Restaurants: Three’s a Crowd

Vittles • 223 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. Agrobeso is a popular Ghanaian restaurant in Peckham where families often go when they're too tired to cook at home. It offers delicious traditional dishes like jollof rice and peanut soup in a cozy setting.
  2. Blue Nile is a unique Jamaican restaurant known for its seafood, like pepper prawns. The atmosphere combines old Peckham charm with a lively kitchen vibe, making it a great place for comfort food.
  3. Felix Kebab Grill serves spicy suya late at night, attracting a crowd looking for a tasty snack. It's a small, no-frills spot that delivers on flavor and warmth, perfect after a night out.

seventh slice (and eighth, and ninth)

let them eat cake • 159 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking
  1. The post discusses a unique dish with jellied garlic paste, chili, and a salad mashup inspired by Chinese and Western flavors.
  2. The author shares the process and details of creating the dish for an upcoming event in Montreal, blending traditional and modern elements.
  3. The post highlights a blend of culinary influences, showcasing attention to detail in the dish's preparation and flavor composition.