Best Books In The Freezer Podcasts (2025)

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Best Horror Books of 2025 with Anna Dupre 2:29:34

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2d ago2:29:34

2:29:34

2025 has come to an end, so that means it’s time to break down our standout reads of the year. I am joined by my friend, fellow podcaster and reviewer, Anna Dupre of the Anna Rose Reads Podcast. This was a year full of cannibalism, sweeping historicals, and weird little horny books, so a great year! Books Mentioned:Short Story Collections/ Antholog…

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Best of 2025: World's Worst Restaurant Review, Talking Stomachs and Favorite Calls 51:01

4d ago51:01

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It’s time to look back at some of our favorite moments from 2025. There are the interviews that shocked us — from brand new theories of stomach intelligence to Pete Well’s harshest restaurant review — as well as expert cooking tips shared by the likes of Samin Nosrat and Lidia Bastianich. Plus, we revisit a few unforgettable listener calls and Chri…

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Perfect French Toast with Kenji López-Alt & Deb Perelman 39:59

8d ago39:59

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Today, we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at “The Recipe with Kenji and Deb.” Chris joined Kenji López-Alt and Deb Perelman to talk about their ideal recipe for French Toast. They banter about bread for longer than any podcast ever has (not fact checked) – and how each of them perfects this classic breakfast dish. Get the recipe for F…

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Belgian Waffles, Santa History and Baking Problems Solved! 51:00

12d ago51:00

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This week, we visit Belgium for holiday baking and festivities with Regula Ysewijn. Plus, we learn about a Welsh tradition that happens on the darkest days of winter, our friends from “A Way with Words” teach us old holiday drinking songs, we make Czech-style kolaches (a sweet cheese- and jam-filled pastry), and Cheryl Day returns to take your baki…

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My Dad, Famous Amos 40:01

8d ago40:01

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Today, we're sharing an episode from our friends at Tough Cookie: The Wally ”Famous“ Amos Story. Meet Wally Amos. He founded the ubiquitous Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies in 1975, turning the brand into an overnight sensation and himself into a pop-culture fixture in the 1970s and 1980s. But there’s a darker side to Wally’s seemingly sweet stor…

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Holiday Bonanza! Cookie Q&A and A Very Dickens Christmas 1:01:19

19d ago1:01:19

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We answer your calls with Vaughn Vreeland (of New York Times Cookie Week fame) to help you bake the best cookies of the season; historian Pen Vogler breaks down classic Christmas dishes featured in Charles Dickens’ stories, from turkey to plum pudding; author Kat Lieu shares her recipe for Old-Fashioned Cantonese Shortbread; and reporter Mackenzie …

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Locked Room Horror with Jenny Kiefer 39:16

16d ago39:16

39:16

I was joined by author Jenny Kiefer to talk about her latest novel Crafting for Sinners and locked room horror stories Books Mentioned: Crafting for Sinner by Jenny Kiefer The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix The Troop by Nick Cutter The Handyman Method by Andrew F. Sullivan and Nick Cutter Exiles by Mason Coile Rest Stop…

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Sex, Murder and Chocolate 51:01

20d ago51:01

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Author Aleksandra Crapanzano uncovers the rich history of chocolate—from black markets to murder in the church, people have stopped at nothing to procure this luxurious ingredient. Plus, record producer David Katznelson plays us some drinking songs; Alex Aïnouz masters the art of stock; and we whip up a Rice Pudding with Caramel Cream and Almond Pr…

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10 Year Throwback: Mad French Food Scientist Alex Aïnouz Cooks Up YouTube 50:52

29d ago50:52

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Milk Street's 10th anniversary is right around the corner! To celebrate, we're revisiting our favorite moments, starting with this week’s episode featuring the very first appearance of regular contributor Alex Aïnouz. On YouTube, Alex is known for his mad scientist experiments, from his million-layer puff pastry to his quest for the perfect French …

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Al Roker: Turkey Dreams and 30 Rock Lunches 51:01

29d ago51:01

51:01

Al Roker is back on Milk Street with family recipes and television stories to share. He recalls celebrity-filled lunches at the NBC commissary and the holiday meal he dreamt of while recovering from surgery. Plus, Ben Mims reveals the secret history of cookies; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of “A Way With Words” express holiday gratitude with f…

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Thanksgiving Throwback (2019): Pumpkin Pie Secrets and Vivian Howard’s Spoon Bread 50:42

1M ago50:42

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Happy Thanksgiving! Join us for a star-studded trip down memory lane with our Thanksgiving episode from 2019! Stella Parks reveals pumpkin pie secrets and serves up a fresh twist on à la mode; Vivian Howard invites us to her kitchen for North Carolina turkey and sides; Alice Waters, Erin French, Joanne Chang, Reem Kassis and other chefs, authors an…

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Carnival Horror with Chris Panatier 1:27:24

1M ago1:27:24

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Come one! Come all to my conversation with author Chris Panatier. We are talking about his book Shitshow from Sobelo Books and carnival horror. Movies Mentioned: Carnival of Souls Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Final Destination 3 House of 1000 Corpses Big Fish Nope Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Books Mentioned: Shitshow by Chris Panatier Geek Love …

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2025 Thanksgiving Show! Q&A, Uncommon Pies and José Andrés's Turkey Paella 1:00:33

1M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

How do you carve a turkey without losing the crispy skin? What kind of pie should you make if you’re sick of apple? And what’s the world’s easiest pie crust? This week, chefs Jet Tila and Dominique Ansel join Chris Kimball to answer your Thanksgiving cooking questions. Plus chef Jesse Griffiths goes hunting for wild turkeys; José Andrés, Melissa Cl…

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Thanksgiving Throwback (2017): From Calcutta to Kenji's Make-Ahead Mashed 51:26

1M ago51:26

51:26

We're putting the finishing touches on our 2025 Thanksgiving special, but in the meantime we have a special treat: We're re-releasing our first-ever Thanksgiving episode from 2017! Reporter Sandip Roy desperately seeks turkey in Calcutta; Kenji López-Alt reveals his secrets to make-ahead mashed potatoes; Dan Pashman spins the wheel of Thanksgiving …

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The Baker Who Made Julia Child Cry: Nancy Silverton's Recipes Will Change Your Life 51:00

2M ago51:00

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Nancy Silverton is here to make you a better baker. She tells the story about the time she made Julia Child cry on TV and the very best way to make cornbread, angel food cake and more classic desserts. Plus, Joan De Jesus explains the wine world’s biggest trend right now, natural wines; J. Kenji López-Alt shares his secrets for cooking salmon at ho…

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FROM THE VAULT: Frankenstein Retellings with Jocelyn Codner 1:09:18

2M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

This is a repost of an episode from 2024 where Jocelyn and I discussed Frankenstein Retellings! Have you watched the new Guillermo Del Toro Frankenstein? What did you think of it? Shownotes hereBy Stephanie Gagnon

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Beyond Cronuts: How Foods Go Viral 50:33

2M ago50:33

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In the beginning, there was the Cronut, the pastry hybrid that ushered in the era of "viral" foods. Its mass appeal wasn't all that surprising, but what about the rise of tinned fish? Reporter Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong shares the unlikely story of this humble pantry staple. Plus, chef Joshua McFadden changes the way we cook and eat pasta, and our frien…

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Live at the Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival: Fortune Tellers, the Ultimate Grilled Cheese, and Cheddar Blue 38:51

2M ago38:51

38:51

Milk Street Radio took our show on the road for an unforgettable night at The Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival in Madison, Wisconsin. To celebrate being in America’s Dairyland, Chris got a Wisconsin dairy history lesson from Laura Werlin; met with Master Cheesemakers Marieke Penterman and Chris Roelli; and even got his fortune read with a wedge of …

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Busting Pizza’s Biggest Myths with Nathan Myhrvold 50:37

2M ago50:37

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Modernist Cuisine founder Nathan Myhrvold is here with his hottest pizza takes, from deep dish to Tokyo marinara. Plus, journalist Larry Tye tells us how the father of public relations made bacon a breakfast staple, Adam Gopnik explains how to cook for a family with vastly different dietary restrictions, and we whip up a Venetian pasta recipe with …

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BA Bake Club: Perfect Pie with Erin Jeanne McDowell 17:01

2M ago17:01

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Today, we're sharing an episode from our friends at “Bon Appétit Bake Club.” In this episode of Bon Appétit Bake Club, hosts Shilpa and Jesse team up with pie expert Erin Jeanne McDowell, author of “The Book on Pie,” to tackle listener questions on how to bake the perfect pie. You can listen to all episodes of BA Bake Club here: swap.fm/l/ba-bakecl…

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Horror Villains with Joe Hill 1:17:16

2M ago1:17:16

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Author Joe Hill is on the show this week to talk about his latest book King Sorrow and whether a horror story is only as good as its villains. Books mentioned: King Sorrow by Joe Hill The Fireman by Joe Hill The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien The Secret History by Donna Tart Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez The Passage by Justin Cronin The Reformatory…

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Our Haunted Podcast! Witches' Brew, The Candy Store Ghost, and The Secret History of Jack-o'-Lanterns 50:37

2M ago50:37

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We’re serving up an extra frightful hour of Milk Street Radio! Folklorist Lesley Bannatyne reveals the mischievous origins of the jack-o’-lantern, and Oaxacan tour guide Gabriel Sánchez shares memories from Day of the Dead celebrations. Candy historian Susan Benjamin recounts candy’s surprising history in America — and the ghostly encounters in her…

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A**hole Protagonists with Victor LaValle 1:00:32

2M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

I was thrilled that Victor LaValle was able to join me to help recommend books with jerk main characters. Be sure the check out the new paperback editions of four of his books and catch The Devil in Silver on AMC in 2026. Books mentioned: The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle The Changeling by Victor LaValle The Shining by Stephen King American Psy…

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The Vegan Nightmare! Do Vegetables Have Souls? 50:37

2M ago50:37

50:37

According to journalist Zoë Schlanger, your garden isn’t just full of plants that are alive, but plants that can think—like the rice plant, which recognizes its own family members. Schlanger takes us inside a hotbed of scientific controversy: the study of plant intelligence. Plus, the Washington Post’s Joe Yonan masters the art of plant-based cooki…

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PATREON PEEK: Lights Out (#12) with Liz Sower 53:38

2M ago53:38

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Full episode available on Patreon It's Fear Street Friday and this week we are heading to Camp Nightwing! I was very happy to be joined by Liz Sower from the fantastic Ghosts in the Burbs podcast. Synopsis: Who killed the counselor? “I could kill you!” screamed Geri Marcus. Could she? Would she? something is very wrong at Camp Nightwing, and junior…

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Small Town Horror with Neil McRobert 1:13:02

2M ago1:13:02

1:13:02

Neil McRobert is back on the pod today. This time as a published author!! We are here to talk about his fantastic novella Good Boy and the horrors of small towns. Books Mentioned: Good Boy by Neil McRobert\ Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare The Ghosts of Sleath by James Herbert The Low Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machad…

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Steakhouse Secrets: What Nobody Tells You About The Perfect Steak 50:07

3M ago50:07

50:07

Food writer Tim Hayward shares the juicy history of the steak. We take a peek inside the secret beefsteak societies of England and New York, learn a classic Argentinian salting method, and even try a steak from a 25 year-old-cow in Spain. Plus, Kenji López-Alt goes on a quest for the perfect teriyaki; Sara Moulton and Chris take your cooking calls;…

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Coming of Rage Horror with Hailey Piper 1:12:04

3M ago1:12:04

1:12:04

By Stephanie Gagnon

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Granny Smith Is Vile and Wretched! Apple Tasting Reveals Shocking Reviews 50:22

3M ago50:22

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This week, your favorite apples get ranked, mercilessly. Find out which apples comedian Brian Frange deems “horse food” and “indigestible filth,” and which crisp, glorious apples rise to the top of the heap. Plus, reporter Katie Thornton joins us to discuss the history and ingenuity of the Frankfurt Kitchen, the blueprint for space-saving kitchen d…

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Latine Heritage Month Recommendations with Tiffany Gonzalez 57:51

3M ago57:51

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I was joined by the wonderful Tiffany Gonzalez (@tiffanyconlibros) to talk about what to read for Latine/Hispanic Heritage month! Books Mentioned: A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories by Mariana Enriquez (translated by Megan McDowell) Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories by Mariana Enriquez (translated by Megan McDowell) What Happened to Ruthie R…

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Dining Dos, Dining Don’ts: The New Rules of Restaurant Etiquette 51:36

3M ago51:36

51:36

Bon Appétit columnist Maggie Hennessy helps us navigate the new rules of dining out. Is it ever OK to take out your phone? What’s the best way to grab your server’s attention? And how fussy is too fussy? Plus, Irene Yoo throws a soju party, and Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of A Way With Words share the stories behind your favorite pasta shapes…

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Culinary Tour of Colombia: Sweet Corn Arepas and Brisket Dust 50:57

3M ago50:57

50:57

We explore the cooking of Colombia with Mariana Velásquez, from homemade arepas to sweet panela that tastes like almost-burnt caramel. Plus, we learn about the secret world of creating food emojis with artist Yiying Lu, Adam Gopnik ponders the elements of dinner, and we present a recipe for Spicy and Sour Julienned Potato Salad with Sichuan Pepper.…

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PATREON PEEK: The Fire Game (#11) with Hailey Piper 7:18

3M ago7:18

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Full episode available on Patreon Hailey Piper is visiting the House at the End of Fear Street today to talk about the Fire Game? Is this RL Stine's Crash, or is this a story about bored small town teens who are peer pressured into starting fires because a hot guy from the nearest Ohio city told them to?…

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Desert Horror with Brian McAuley 46:48

3M ago46:48

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I was joined by author Brian McAuley to talk about his latest horror novel and horror set in the desert! Books Mentioned: Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley Mystery Lights: Stories by Lena Valencia Black Mad Wheel by Josh Malerman Mary: An Awakening of Terror by Nat Cassidy In the Valley of the Sun by Andy Davidson Spread Me by Sarah Gailley Ta…

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Samin Nosrat Interview: The Extended Cut 32:39

3M ago32:39

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In this special episode, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Samin Nosrat. We discuss everything from fame and family to her current culinary obsessions. She shares her favorite salad dressings, go-to snacks and treasured old recipes, alongside exciting new flavors and techniques (whipped tahini! burnt honey!). Plus, hear how she fo…

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Samin Nosrat Returns: New Book, New Recipes, New Life 50:37

4M ago50:37

50:37

Following her 2017 hit—“Salt Fat Acid Heat”—Samin Nosrat is back with her second book, “Good Things”. We talk about fame, family and what she’s cooking; her favorite new flavors and techniques (whipped tahini! burnt honey!); and how she found the sublime in food processor pesto. Plus, James Ooi shares secrets from the Chinese supermarket and Chris …

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FROM THE VAULT: Psycho Trilogy with Guide to the Unknown 1:14:15

4M ago1:14:15

1:14:15

This episode was originally posted November 2020 and despite it being almost 5 years old, it's still a fun listen. Will Rogers and Kristen Anderson from the Guide to the Unknown Podcast and I all read the three books in the Psycho trilogy (?) by Robert Bloch. You can find Will and Kristen online @gttupod…