Have you ever had one of those meals that you just can’t get out of your head? Do you keep dreaming of returning to that one restaurant? Did you recently discover a recipe that you can’t stop cooking on repeat, because it’s just that good?

This week, we're wrapping up 2023 by reflecting on our most memorable dishes – these are the foods that inspired us, connected us to friends, or added a new dish to our repertoire. We’re exploring what makes a meal stand out: is it the ingredients, the recipe, the ambiance, the company? All of it?! We’re sharing the dishes we want to return to again and again, whether it’s traveling back to an amazing eatery or recreating a dish in our home kitchens.

Before we step into the new year, we’re taking a short break over the next few weeks, but we can’t wait to reconnect in 2024. We wish you all a peaceful, wonderful holiday season and a new year ahead full of food, friends, and memorable meals!

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Links to from this week’s show:

Buck & Johnny’s in Beaux Bridge, LA

Chef Josephine LaCosta’s Elbows Catering in Portland, OR

La Merenda farm heirloom beans

Kenji Lopez-Alt’s Crispy Bar-Style Pizza via Serious Eats

Monical’s Pizza in Illinois

Rusa PDX and Sonya’s article about Chef Sasanna and her food

Tamaliza Cafe in Sedona, AZ

How to make tepache at home by Mely Martinez/Mexico in my kitchen

Instant pot congee by Maggie Zhu/Ominvore’s Cookbook

Stovetop congee by Fuchsia Dunlop via the NY Times

Find out more about Chef Minh Phan of Porridge and Puffs, and Phenakite

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Order Sonya’s debut cookbook Braids