№ 88: We're Back and Live as Hell!

WATCH THE EPISODE HEREIn this EpisodeHighlights & “Must-Listen” Moments* 01:28 — Why the Podcast stopped (The “Icky” Business of Sales): A candid look at the costs of production and why going “unscripted” on Substack is the new frontier.* 05:15 — The “Day-to-Day Grind”: Amy reveals how even a professional food editor loses the spark for cooking dinner (and the “Hello Fresh” solution).* 09:20 — The “Juno The Bakery” Mystery: Why are some of the world’s best bakery books so badly written? Amy and David vent about confusing recipes.* 11:45 — The 2-Ingredient Flatbread Debate: David’s “outrage and indignation” over viral TikTok food trends versus real culinary craft.* 13:21 — The Homemade SpaghettiO’s Reveal: David explains Anellini pasta and how he turned a canned childhood memory into a gourmet flat-lay.* 18:53 — Behind the Lens: David shares his specific lighting secrets (Godox AD 600) and how he makes “brown food” like chocolate mousse look like art, not 💩.* 26:38 — Caramelized Onions: The OG Method: David’s take-down of “new” TikTok hacks for onions. Spoiler: Water is the secret, and we’ve been doing it for decades.* 29:04 — Whatever Happened to Clementines? Amy’s moment of outrage over the “Mandarin-ization” of the produce aisle. (Thanks, Lyla Kraft)* 39:38 — Reading with the Boston Pops: Amy shares the nerve-wracking story of reading The Night Before Christmas at Symphony Hall.* 42:24 — A Tour of Portugalia Marketplace: A deep dive into the “Eataly of Portuguese Food” in Fall River—from the Salt Cod room to the best sardines.* 49:20 — Creative Escapism: Why Amy started watercolor painting and the “flow state” benefits of the right side of the brainRecipes* Garlic Butter Steak Bites* Chocolate Mousse (not the Portuguese version, that’s coming)Related Recipes* Vegetarian Lasagne* Easy Bechamel Sauce* Swedish Cardamom Buns* Seared Skirt Steak with Brazilian Salsa* Clam Shack-Style Fried ClamsCookbook Mentions* The Flavor Bible by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page* The Talisman of Happiness by Ada Boni* Who Put the Beef into Wellington? by James Winter (Rob Machado mentioned buying it)* Juno The Bakery by Emil Glaser and Nina Schmiegelow* Forever Paris by Marin Montagut* The Apple Lover’s Cookbook by The Ames herself!* The New Portuguese Table by moi* Notes on a Banana by meWeekend with Yankee* The new season of Weekend with Yankee premieres in April. (Check your local PBS listings.)Gear* Godox AD600Pro Witstro All-in-One Outdoor FlashWhere to Find Us* Amy Traverso* Instagram | Yankee* David Leite* Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Youtube This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidleite.substack.com