
04: How Tourism Can Connect You to Your Roots
02/08/24 • 24 min
Ever craved a bite of your great-grandmother's strudel while strolling through Prague? Or felt a pang of connection over fiery Cajun gumbo in Louisiana?
In this episode, we explore the surprising ways food and travel intertwine to illuminate your family's tapestry. We'll embark on culinary odysseys, from ethnic food tours bursting with ancestral flavors to regional feasts revealing the stories simmering beneath each simmering pot.
So, pack your taste buds, dust off your family tree, and join us as we embark on a delicious journey of self-discovery. Remember, sometimes the most profound conversations happen over a shared plate, and the most vibrant history books are written in the language of spices. Bon appétit, and bon voyage!
Resources
These are the links and websites mentioned in this episode:
- The Allen County Public Library
- Delicious Denver Food Tours
- Downtown Denver Food Tour
- Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs (Denver, CO)
- Big Onion Walking Tours
- Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour of the Lower East Side
- Free Tours by Foot
- Badageoni Georgian Restaurant (Mt. Kisco, NY)
- Spirited LA
- Grand Central Market
- Chelsea Market
- Penzeys Spices
- Ashley’s Bookshop Storefront
- Lisa’s Bookshop Storefront
- Lisa’s Family Heritage Resource Guide
See show notes for this episode at www.passingtheplate.org/04.
Thanks for tuning in to the Passing the Plate podcast! Ready to dig deeper into your kitchen adventures? Make sure to visit:
- Check out the Passing the Plate website.
- Check out our webinar and ebook on our Resource page.
- Ashley at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen: Get inspired by delicious recipes and start cooking delicious food at home no matter your skill level.
- Lisa at Are You My Cousin?: Learn how to find your ancestors, grow your family tree and uncover fascinating family histories and stories that connect us through food.
Stay hungry for knowledge, keep the stories simmering, and join us again for our next delicious episode!
Ever craved a bite of your great-grandmother's strudel while strolling through Prague? Or felt a pang of connection over fiery Cajun gumbo in Louisiana?
In this episode, we explore the surprising ways food and travel intertwine to illuminate your family's tapestry. We'll embark on culinary odysseys, from ethnic food tours bursting with ancestral flavors to regional feasts revealing the stories simmering beneath each simmering pot.
So, pack your taste buds, dust off your family tree, and join us as we embark on a delicious journey of self-discovery. Remember, sometimes the most profound conversations happen over a shared plate, and the most vibrant history books are written in the language of spices. Bon appétit, and bon voyage!
Resources
These are the links and websites mentioned in this episode:
- The Allen County Public Library
- Delicious Denver Food Tours
- Downtown Denver Food Tour
- Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs (Denver, CO)
- Big Onion Walking Tours
- Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour of the Lower East Side
- Free Tours by Foot
- Badageoni Georgian Restaurant (Mt. Kisco, NY)
- Spirited LA
- Grand Central Market
- Chelsea Market
- Penzeys Spices
- Ashley’s Bookshop Storefront
- Lisa’s Bookshop Storefront
- Lisa’s Family Heritage Resource Guide
See show notes for this episode at www.passingtheplate.org/04.
Thanks for tuning in to the Passing the Plate podcast! Ready to dig deeper into your kitchen adventures? Make sure to visit:
- Check out the Passing the Plate website.
- Check out our webinar and ebook on our Resource page.
- Ashley at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen: Get inspired by delicious recipes and start cooking delicious food at home no matter your skill level.
- Lisa at Are You My Cousin?: Learn how to find your ancestors, grow your family tree and uncover fascinating family histories and stories that connect us through food.
Stay hungry for knowledge, keep the stories simmering, and join us again for our next delicious episode!
Previous Episode

03: How to Modernize Family Recipes So You’ll Actually Make Them
Grandma's casserole holds a universe of love, but let's be honest – sometimes, its crust needs a little crunch update. In this episode, we tackle the culinary conundrum: How do we honor cherished recipes while making them thrill the modern palates?
We'll explore creative ingredient swaps, dietary adaptations, and kitchen hacks that streamline prep without sacrificing soul. Join us as we uncover the hidden potential within your family's culinary classics, transforming them into dishes that nourish both body and memory.
Get ready to fire up your culinary imagination and savor the satisfaction of breathing new life into your favorite family dishes. It's time to make your ancestors proud!
Resources
These are the websites, links and recipes mentioned in this podcast episode.
- Ashley’s Mom’s Pot Roast
- Herbed Pot Roast (Instant Pot version)
- Ashley’s Mom’s Tomato Beef Pasta
- Tomato Beef Pasta (Instant Pot version)
- Ashley’s Stepmom’s Beef Goulash
- Ashley’s Stepmom’s Beef Goulash (Instant Pot version)
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Broiler Kebab Sheet Pan Meal – This is one of Lisa’s favorites!
- Shopping for an Instant Pot? This is Ashley’s current favorite model.
- Shopping for an air fryer? This is Ashley’s current favorite model.
- Souper Cubes (portioned silicone freezer tray with lid)
- Crock-Pot programmable slow cooker
- Half sheet pans
- FoodSaver vacuum sealing system
- Stasher bags – microwave and freezer-safe silicone bags
- The Instant Pot 1:1 Perfect Rice recipe seems to be offline now, but the general guideline is to use equal parts rinsed rice and water and cook on high pressure for the recommended time, based on the type of rice you are cooking. Basmati (white) rice: 4-8 minutes, Jasmine rice: 3-5 minutes, Brown rice (long/short): 22-28 minutes, and Wild rice mix: 25-30 minutes. Let the rice naturally release for 10 minutes afterward, and then go ahead and manually release any remaining pressure, fluff, and serve.
Do You Have a Story?
See sho
Thanks for tuning in to the Passing the Plate podcast! Ready to dig deeper into your kitchen adventures? Make sure to visit:
- Check out the Passing the Plate website.
- Check out our webinar and ebook on our Resource page.
- Ashley at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen: Get inspired by delicious recipes and start cooking delicious food at home no matter your skill level.
- Lisa at Are You My Cousin?: Learn how to find your ancestors, grow your family tree and uncover fascinating family histories and stories that connect us through food.
Stay hungry for knowledge, keep the stories simmering, and join us again for our next delicious episode!
Next Episode

05: Tips for Modifying Recipes and Recovering Picky Eaters
Remember Grandma's deviled eggs? They might be legendary, but what if your palate craves a touch less mayo?
In this episode, we go beyond "modernization" and dive into the art of mindful recipe modification. We'll tackle the age-old debate: beans in chili, blasphemy or blessing? Explore ingredient swaps that respect heritage while igniting your culinary creativity.
Join us as we show you how to become the maestro of your kitchen, creating dishes that honor the past while satisfying modern palates (and maybe even coaxing picky eaters to the table). Remember, culinary evolution is a beautiful thing – so grab your whisk, open your mind, and get ready to rewrite the family cookbook (with love, of course).
Resources
Here are the links to the recipes we talked about in the episode:
- French Inspired Deviled Eggs
- Ashley’s Grandma’s Deviled Egg recipe
- Deviled Eggs (mayo-based)
- No Mayo Deviled Eggs
- Ashley’s Grandpa Henderson’s Beef Stew
- Fennel + Citrus Salad with Shallots and Capers
- Garlicky Broccoli Rabe
- (Optionally) Spicy Turkey Three-Bean Chili
- Sound off in the Facebook chili thread
- Deviled egg carrying trays
See show notes for this episode at www.passingtheplate.org/05.
Thanks for tuning in to the Passing the Plate podcast! Ready to dig deeper into your kitchen adventures? Make sure to visit:
- Check out the Passing the Plate website.
- Check out our webinar and ebook on our Resource page.
- Ashley at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen: Get inspired by delicious recipes and start cooking delicious food at home no matter your skill level.
- Lisa at Are You My Cousin?: Learn how to find your ancestors, grow your family tree and uncover fascinating family histories and stories that connect us through food.
Stay hungry for knowledge, keep the stories simmering, and join us again for our next delicious episode!
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