The hottest Culinary History Substack posts right now

Rick Stein's cooking shows evoke strong feelings of nostalgia for many, reflecting personal histories tied to food and family. Watching his programs can remind people of their childhood and special memories with loved ones.
Stein represents an old-school style of British cooking, which can sometimes come off as out of touch and patronizing. His remarks, often laced with literary references, may feel elitist or unaware of modern sensibilities.
Despite his flaws, Stein's shows highlight a deep passion for food and culture. His approach to cooking and sharing meals can offer comfort and joy, showing how food connects to home and family.

Pie and mash shops in London are losing customers because their old traditions don't appeal to many people anymore. This dish has remained mostly unchanged, making it feel outdated to newer generations.
There's a common belief that outside factors like gentrification are causing the decline of pie and mash, but the real issue is that the food hasn't adapted or modernized to attract a wider audience.
Instead of trying to preserve pie and mash as it was, shops should evolve to include new flavors and ideas. This could help keep the tradition alive while appealing to a changing population.

Food is deeply tied to personal history and culture, especially in communities like Gaza. For many, the memories of eating fresh, home-grown food evoke feelings of love and connection to the land.
War and occupation have drastically changed how Palestinians experience food. What was once nourishing and comforting has become a reminder of suffering, scarcity, and loss.
Survival has forced people in Gaza to adapt and eat whatever they can find, sometimes even dangerous or inedible plants. This struggle highlights their resilience amid desperate circumstances.

Spiced pumpkin cream pie is a fun twist on a classic American dessert found in diners. It's a great option to share at events or enjoy throughout the week.
Making cream pies became popular with instant pudding mixes, making it easier for busy home cooks to create impressive desserts. These pies often have a graham cracker or digestive biscuit crust, which is easy to prepare.
The pumpkin cream pie recipe uses roasted pumpkin and warm spices for a unique flavor. It's best to make it a day ahead so it has time to cool and set properly.

The importance of valuing traditional food culture and the impact of commercialization on it.
The shift in focus from the quality of food to branding and packaging in the modern food industry.
Reflecting on the notion of authenticity and craftsmanship in the context of manufacturing and food production.

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Victorians and Edwardians had creative and sometimes bizarre ideas about future dining, such as Victorian protein pills and cubic luncheons.
Londonist's newsletter 'Time Machine' explores past visions of dining in the 21st century.
Join Londonist's Time Machine newsletter to access more articles and delve into interesting topics like historical imaginations of food and dining.

The compilation cookbooks from 'Female' magazine in Singapore showcased diverse and sometimes unusual recipes, catering to a broad range of reader interests.
The cookbooks from 'Female' magazine reflected a mix of 'continental cuisine' with western influences like cheese, alongside traditional Singaporean dishes like 'nasi ulam' and 'ayam buah keluak'.
The culinary evolution captured in the cookbooks, from the fading traditional hawker foods to the merging of different culinary influences, reflected the changing tastes and lifestyles of the readers, highlighting the nostalgia and complexity of the culinary landscape.

Demand for obscure ingredients like ejiao has reshaped economies and ecosystems on multiple continents.
Ejiao is now considered a marketing phenomenon, creating demand where there was none before.
The desire to eat luxurious foods like emperors can impact the planet, but moralizing doesn't work as well as marketing.

The recipe for Pandan Chiffon Cake involves unique techniques like making fresh pandan extract and coconut milk for a refined flavor and texture.
Fiona's Pandan Chiffon Cake recipe uses less flour and substitutes oil with coconut milk for richness, setting it apart from traditional chiffon cake recipes.
The 'Brandy Chicken' recipe showcases a simple yet flavorful way of cooking with minimal ingredients, emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients like good brandy for marinades.