Photo by Flickr/placid casual

This morning I've been listening to a Michael Pollan interview, where he talks about one of my favourite topics; food.  Michael Pollan talks about the history, politics, economics and culture of food, making for an informative listen which explains why we eat the type of food we have available to us today.

It's fascinating to delve into how foods we take for granted today have been shaped over time due to politics, economics and culture.

Link to Podcast:

Conversations with History: The Politics of Food

Related Links:

University of California Television

Michael Pollan

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Yesterday someone recommended this brilliant podcast to me and seeing as I like to spread the audio love, here it is, today I'm recommending it to you :)

The programme takes you on a 20 minute journey of how spices travelled across the globe and affected our world economy as they did so.  It's the first time I've listened to a Planet Money programme and I will definitely be tuning in again; each episode takes a concept and examines the economics behind it.  So if you want to get an exciting and captivating way to understand more about the global economy, I can't think of a better way to start.

Link to Podcast:

When Cinnamon Moved Markets

Related Links:

Planet Money

Spice Market

Photo by Flickr/wonderlane

No dinner parties for me this weekend, but I am baking a cake for a friend and whilst doing so listening to the latest 'Dinner Party Download'.  This programme always puts a smile on my face; a little bit of culture, a spot of humour, some random unusual news items, an interview, a cocktail recipe and lots of food chat! - what more could you want?...

For some not too heavy yet not too nonsensical entertainment, this show comes recommended as perfect weekend listening.

Link to Podcast:

Dinner Party Download: episode 41

Related Links:

Dinner Party Download

Rico Gagliano & Brendan Francis Newnam

Robert Siegel

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Pastrami, smoked meat, knishes, bagels, babka, rugelach... mmm! my mouth is watering already! If you like me have a soft spot for food, and in particular the evolution of cuisine through time and cultural influence then you'll love this talk by David Sax.  Sax talks about why we need to save the jewish deli and explains a little about the history of these delis and their current decline.

David Sax is a journalist and author of 'Save the Deli'.  This podcast is best enjoyed close to lunch or dinner time!

Link to Podcast:

Save the Deli

Related Links:

Free Library Podcasts

David Sax

Save the Deli

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Michael Pollen - a man after my own heart.

Today I've been listening to Pollen chat to Tom Ashbrook about simple rules to help us all eat better.  A great podcast to listen to ahead of the weekends shopping and dinner party prep.  Pollen shares simple yet effective advice on how to shop, eat and enjoy food which is good for us, the planet and tastes amazing!

On Point have a great range of audio programmes on very diverse topics, and at around 45 - 60 minutes long they're a good length to make your commute more interesting.  

Link to Podcast:

Michael Pollen's 'Food Rules'

Related Links:

On Point

Michael Pollen 

Food Rules

The Omnivore's Dilemma 

Photo by Flickr/Ed Yourdon

Local, Organic, Free Range, Wild, Sustainable... A trip to buy the weekly groceries is becoming increasingly confusing and it's often difficult to know what is best to buy for us and for the environment. In this programme by NPR we get to learn about the different points of view and what each of these things mean.

Have a listen, get clued up and be involved in the debate.

Link to Podcast:

Sizing up Sustainable Food

Related Links:

NPR

Just Food: Where Locavores get it Wrong and How can we truly eat Responsibly

In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto

World Watch Institute

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Today I've been listening to a fascinating and slightly bizarre account of crisp eating by Peter Burnett.  Burnett is author of The Supper Book, an annotated account of everything he ate and drank over the course of a year.

This recording, which hails from Edinburgh's West Port Book Festival, makes for a humorous and detailed account of the humble, yet not so virtuous crisp.  Have a listen, if only for the strange, shocking, scientific and descriptive minutiae of this ubiquitous snack.

Link to Podcast:

The History of Crisps, Peter Burnett

Related Links:

West Port Book Festival

The Supper Book by Peter Burnett

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I know, I know... you haven't even made your actual Christmas lunch as yet, but I thought I would share some ideas with you for what to do with your leftover turkey ahead of time, courtesy of Dinner Party Download.

This particular episode is straight after Thanksgiving day, but as the same applies for all the Christmas turkey leftovers, I thought it may be a worthy listen whilst preparing all your yummy food.  In addition to leftover chat, there's the usual topical offerings and alternative news from presenters Rico and Brendan, so when the banter runs out at your table tomorrow you'll be well prepared with humorous conversation starters.

Alright, get your aprons on, start prepping and switch on the radio!... or laptop, or iPod, or Squeezebox...

Link to Podcast:

Episode 37: George Saunders, New Look Turkey Sandwich, Getting Hit on by a Star

Related Links:

Dinner Party Download

Rico Gagliano

Brendan Francis Newnam

George Saunders

Photo by Flickr/f_mafra

Yahaaa! It's Friday and ahead of the weekend, in preparation for your dinner party, why not have a listen to the most recent 'Dinner Party Download'.

I've mentioned this programme with hosts Rico Gagliano and Brendan Newnam in a previous post; the show follows a format of guest interviews, random chat, recipes and an occasion song fuelling you up with topical conversation starters ahead of your weekend dinner party.

This particular episode features guest Julian Casablancas of the Strokes.

Link to Podcast:

Dinner Party Download: Episode 36

Related Links: 

Dinner Party Download

Julian Casablancas 

The Strokes

Photo by Flickr/headsclouds

Ok, so it's Sunday lunchtime and I'm nearing the end of my 4 hour train journey... you've probably guessed I have food on the brain!...

In order to wet my appetite and think about the sandwich I'm going to tuck into soon, what better programme could I listen to than 'Rectangles Vs. Triangles: The Great Sandwich Debate' by NPR.  As a triangle girl myself, I was curious to hear if anyone favours the rectangle at all - I'm not going to give anything away as I think you should listen to this fun little 5 minute podcast to find out for yourselves.

Link to Podcast:

Rectangles Vs. Triangles: The Great Sandwich Debate by NPR

Related Links:

NPR