Dear Food Ashley Chaney

What’s your favorite thing to get from Trader Joe’s? I surveyed friends, and tried out all the winners of the 12th annual Trader Joe’s Customer Choice Awards, and I’m spilling all the Sparkling Peach Black tea for y'all. Yep, you guessed it - that’s one of the winners! 
What’s in this episode:
I tried the winners of the 12th Annual Customer Choice Awards What to grab, and what to skip from Trader Joe’s  Some of the products you will hear about: Orange chicken, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, cheddar cheese, everything but the bagel, and lots more Plus, my personal Tj’s recommendations. You have to try these!  Links from the show: 
The Trader Joe’s Podcast  Trader Joe’s Website: https://www.traderjoes.com/ Dear Food on Instagram @DearFoodPodcast Dear Food on YouTube ‘Here For The Food’ on Facebook - Click this link   
 
Be on the Show
Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts (it's free!)  and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me.

We’re sharing our favorite gadgets, gizmos and products that we think you will love! None of them break the bank, by the way. Please enjoy this short and sweet episode, and let us know what you think of the NEW WEBSITE! 
What’s in this episode:
Announcement: brand new website is now live!  We now have a store that is a curation of our favorite products featured on the show  This mini episode covers Ashley’s favorite gifts that she got this year Find all the products we mentioned in the show notes, or in the store on our website.  CHECK OUT THE NEW WEBSITE
www.dearfoodpodcast.com
Dear Food on Instagram @DearFoodPodcast Dear Food on YouTube Here are the products we mentioned: 
Tortilla Warmer 
https://amzn.to/3beQfdF
Tortilla press
https://amzn.to/38t10Hr
Lime squeezer 
https://amzn.to/396D8Zb
Maldon sea salt 
https://amzn.to/2Xo99GO
Be on the Show
Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts,  and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me.

Sugar cookies at Christmas, and black eyed peas for New Years Eve. What's the origin of all these food customs? I asked a roundtable of friends about their favorite food traditions for this special holiday episode. Some of the rituals you've likely heard of, but there's one that will surprise you!  
In this episode: 
The foods that symbolize Christmas  Christmas popcorn trio; love it or leave it?  Eggnog, which is simply not for me  Sugar cookies so good they elicit burglary The history of the Raclette - a "cheesy" holiday tale Why black eyed peas came to signify good luck  What's you're supposed to do with cabbage to ensure wealth in the new year  and so much more!  Links from the show: 
Dear Food on Instagram @DearFoodPodcast Dear Food on YouTube Find our Guests online: 
Anastasia Washington https://www.instagram.com/anastasiawash/ https://www.anastasiawashington.com/ Jasmine Ellis https://www.instagram.com/jasmineelliscomedy/?hl=en Jessica Munna https://www.instagram.com/jessicamunna/?hl=en https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-poetry-podcast/id1481892415 Caitlin Gilbert https://www.instagram.com/caitlingilbs/?hl=en Be on the Show
Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to Dear Food on Apple Podcasts. It's totally free to subscribe, and it makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me. Thank you, you are beautiful.

But first, coffee. That’s not just a cute Pinterest quote, it’s the trademarked tagline of this week’s guest, Josh Zad, who is the CEO and Founder of LA’s iconic Alfred Coffee. Josh is an architecture and design nerd, and he intentionally infused his eclectic personality into the creation of his coffee shops and tea rooms. You have most definitely seen pictures of people gleefully posing with their fancy drinks at one of his fabulously outfitted cafes. Hear how social media helped turn this coffee shop into a global tourist attraction. 
What’s in this episode:
Is it Alfred, or Alfred’s? Josh spills the literal tea.  How social media made this cafe a tourist destination  How Instagram played into the design and creation of the cafe experience  Yes, they really do own that phrase “But first, coffee” The Pink Drink - who made it first? We say it was Alfred. Can you guess the secret ingredient in the Pink Drink? The most popular drinks at Alfred Coffee and Tea  What makes their Iced Vanilla Latte world-famous?  Do you know what boba is? I just learned: it’s tapioca.  Wait until you hear the celebrities that have visited Alfred coffee  HINT: Presidents drink Alfred coffee  The famous TV show that shot an episode at Alfred. It will make you want to Curb Your Enthusiasm … how’s that for a hint?  Larry David wears silk socks. Josh shares the whole story. It’s classic.  How does the owner of a famous coffee shop take his coffee?  Why coffee is pandemic-proof And much more! Links from the show: 
Alfred on Instagram: @alfred. Alfred's Website: www.alfred.la Dear Food on Instagram @DearFoodPodcast Dear Food on YouTube Be on the Show
Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to Dear Food on Apple Podcasts. It's totally free to subscribe, and it makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me. Thank you, I love you. 

Have you ever looked at a beautiful Model and thought, I wonder what she eats? Molly Ritter, is an *actual* Model and Actress, and she got so tired of being asked that very question, that she went ahead and created her own food blog. Lucky for us, because her recipes are fantastic and actually succeed at tasting delicious while still being healthy. She shares two of her favorite breakfast recipes with us, and gives us a little glimpse inside her daily life. 
What’s in this episode:
How Molly became a food blogger How being an Actor and Model affects what Molly eats  How Molly makes healthy food taste delicious  She shares her collagen pancake recipe  What goes into developing a healthy recipe  Why Molly is not afraid of carbs  What makes the *perfect* pancake This is controversial, but Molly swears by adding vegetables to her pancakes. It’s way better than you think, she explains.  The spice that makes everything taste like donuts Another make-ahead breakfast you have to try this week: overnight oats  Molly’s pumpkin overnight oats recipe is *Chef’s kiss* The signature cooking method she has dubbed “dump and pray”  Pro tip for overnight oats - you can reuse a nut butter jar, and you don’t even have to clean it first! Molly’s mindset in the kitchen is actually great advice for life at large  Molly’s famous uncle … kind of  Links from the show: 
Molly on Instagram: @MollyRitter Thyme For Honey on Instagram  @Thymeforhoney Thyme For Honey blog: www.ThymeForHoney.com Dear Food on Instagram @DearFoodPodcast Dear Food on YouTube Recipes from the show:
Pumpkin Maple Overnight Oatmeal recipe:
https://thymeforhoney.com/pumpkin-maple-overnight-oatmeal/

Be on the Show
Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts,  and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me.

Happy Diwali! Diwali is the five day Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus. Like most holidays, there are some celebration rituals that center around food. So naturally, I grabbed one of my good friends, who is both Indian AND a major foodie, for this special episode. Raj Rawal, a Content Lead for a major food publisher, joins us this week to walk us through the dishes we should be ordering when we go to Indian restaurants. 
What’s in this episode:
The best place to get Indian food in the world (hint, it’s not India) What Diwali is, and how it is celebrated  What foods are central to Diwali  The street foods of Mumbai that you should order whenever you see them on the menu Raj’s advice on Indian Food buffets? Do it.  Little India in California is located in Cerritos/Artesia  If you’re in California, hit Pioneer Blvd for the best Indian food If you’re in New Jersey, visit the famous Oak Tree Road Most Americans are actually eating Punjabi food  Pro-tip: Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala is approved  by the Indian community  Thums Up is the Indian version of Coca Cola, note the spelling  When eating Indian food, your naan (bread) is basically your utensil Alert: do not eat with your left hand! Raj explains why. It’s gross, but an important rule to know about when traveling abroad.  Garam Masala is the spice you should have in your cabinet if you want to cook Indian food Why the cow is sacred in the Hindu religion  The famous Indian beers you to try, and no, it’s not an IPA  Links from the show: 
Raj on Instagram: @Asaprajy Raj on Twitter  @Asaprajy Dear Food on Instagram @DearFoodPodcast Dear Food on YouTube Be on the Show
Tell us your food stories!  The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to dearfoodpodcast@gmail.com 
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts,  and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me.