A Chef’s Superpower: Deviled Eggs, Red Wine Birria, and a Nose That Knows
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
In this episode of Jenn Seasly’s Foodlore, Dr. Jenn Seasly sits down with Chef Christian Padilla of Zio Peppe in Tucson — a restaurant celebrated for its Italian–Southwest fusion. Chef Christian shares the deeply personal story behind his birria, which began not in a professional kitchen, but on a small goat farm. From learning butchery at a young age to finishing dishes by trusting his sense of smell, he explains how nostalgia — when it smells like home — became his guiding principle in cooking. He walks through his chile blend, why lamb shanks are often used in restaurant kitchens,...
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From South Side Chicago to Tucson: Stuffed Cabbage, Sauerkraut & Family Roots
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
In this episode of Jenn Seasly’s Foodlore, we sit down with Tucson’s own Rocco DiGrazia—chef, pizzaiolo, and keeper of one unforgettable family recipe. Rocco takes us back to the South Side of Chicago, where his Slovenian grandmother taught him how to make her legendary stuffed cabbage rolls: tender leaves, bacon-fried onions, caraway, sauerkraut by the handful, and twine-tied bundles simmered low and slow until the whole house smelled like home. We explore how immigrant food traditions evolve, why cabbage appears twice in this recipe (a true power move), how...
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The Nostalgia of Thanksgiving
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
In this heartfelt solo episode, Dr. Jenn dives straight into the smells, sounds, and deeply nostalgic flavors that shaped her Thanksgiving traditions. From her signature bacon-woven turkey glazed in herb mayo, to the green bean casserole glow-up, to childhood favorites like Ritz-topped squash and Cool Whip fruit salad — Jenn walks us through a holiday table overflowing with memories. Along the way, she shares the stories behind each dish: the canned cranberry “plop” everyone remembers, the peas only served once a year, her mother’s labor-of-love cornbread dressing, and the desserts...
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Confessions of a Foodie Who Hates Fennel
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
Welcome to Foodie Confessions, a new mini-series inside Foodlore where Jenn shares the stories behind the foods she just can’t. In this hilarious role-reversal, her husband and editor Zac interviews her about the culinary deal-breakers: raw onions (with two oddly specific exceptions), fennel and anything licorice-adjacent, raw seafood from crudo to tartare, and a diplomatic “no thanks” to beer and coffee. Expect Michelin memories (Oslo, Basel), Tucson chef stories (please don’t sneak fennel 😅), a sacred wedge-salad rant, and the legendary absinthe-vs-gin mix-up....
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The Pink Casserole
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
Step back in time with us in this deliciously nostalgic episode of Dr. Jenn Seasly's Foodlore as we explore the story and secrets behind The Pink Casserole. Our guest, April Brennan, shares her favorite vintage recipe, tips for making it perfectly creamy, and the memories tied to this classic dish. Whether you’re a fan of casseroles, love vintage recipes, or just crave a little nostalgia in your kitchen, this episode will warm your heart—and your taste buds! Related recipe
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The Boorito That Means Love
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
Dr. Jenn Seasly sits down with Tucson chef Matt Love (Forbes Meat Market & Restaurant, Five Points) to tell the love story behind a breakfast burrito that evolved into a house legend: “my burrito,” now affectionately the Boorito. What started as one whole egg plus egg whites for his nutrition-professor wife became an 11-minute morning ritual—cheese spread edge-to-edge, salsa inside, and a gentle, all-sides butter sear that turns the burrito into a crisp, almost-chimichanga hug. Along the way, Matt shares Sonoran food pride, burrito lore, salsa hot takes (Safeway salsa and Truff fans...
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Deviled Eggs So Good That Even Angels Love Them
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
Dr. Jenn Seasly sits down with her longtime friend Karenza Gordon to honor a dish that carried them through potlucks, holidays, and family stories: deviled eggs. From Honey’s sweet-pickle version to Jenn’s bacon riff (and even the high-society touch of caviar), this episode celebrates how a simple egg becomes a memory that lasts for generations. Along the way, they laugh about peeling disasters, “egg divots,” and the lost art of the Southern potluck. 🍳 Recipe link:
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A Leg of Lamb to Dream About
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
In this flavorful episode of Jenn Seasly’s Foodlore, Dr. Jenn Seasly welcomes Foti Rouch, a Greek home cook whose go-to dish—a slow-roasted leg of lamb with orzo—is steeped in family tradition and emotion. From his mother’s handwritten recipe to recreating meals for his son in Tucson, Foti reminds us how food can bridge countries, cultures, and generations. Plus, we take a detour through smoker tips, a crash-course in survival cooking, and the curious magic of Cincinnati-style chili.
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The Joy of Hatch Chiles and Beautiful Cocktails
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
In this spicy and smoky episode of Foodlore, Dr. Jenn Seasly chats with home chef and mixologist Shana Vanbebber about the deep culinary roots of the Southwest. From her family’s Hatch green chile stew to a stunning tequila-based cocktail called Vermilion Smoke, Shana shares stories of flavor, tradition, and a dash of humor. They explore the history of Hatch chiles, the art of smoking simple syrup, dad-made tortillas, Sunday bean rituals, and the joys of glassware. Plus, a sneak peek at Shana’s upcoming cocktail book Southwest Cocktails. 🍲 Read the full recipe: 🍸 Read the full...
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Sometimes Simplest is Best
Jenn Seasly's Foodlore Podcast
In this heartfelt episode of Foodlore, Dr. Jenn Seasly chats with Amber Pierce, who shares the unexpectedly powerful memories tied to humble dishes like “noodles and meat” and her grandmother’s oatmeal. From Christmas morning fried tenderloin biscuits to peach cobbler breakfasts and holiday traditions like oyster stew and sausage pinwheels, Amber walks us through a flavor-filled journey of love, loss, and legacy. Because sometimes, the blandest dishes hold the richest memories. 👉 Read the full recipe
info_outlineWhat kind of kid chooses prime rib over mac and cheese? In this entertaining and nostalgic episode, Jenn sits down with her husband Zac to uncover the food stories behind his surprisingly refined childhood palate—from falling in love with Yorkshire pudding at age seven to crafting Chef Boyardee pizza nights with military precision. It’s a journey through flavor, family tradition, and the weirdly wonderful things we remember (and refuse to eat) from growing up.
Whether you’re a foodie, a parent, or just here for a laugh, this episode is a delicious reminder that every dish has a story—and sometimes that story includes stuffing cheese and sausage into olives.