This week: Suitcases full of contraband. A smuggler who writes poetry in jail. And the chance to make thousands of dollars in one night. Reporter Otis Gray brings us the story of America’s eel fishing boom—and what happened when it got out of hand. Plus, Kenji López-Alt discusses the surprising science of salting scrambled eggs, and we make kefta in a creamy tahini sauce.

Get this week’s recipe for Baked Kefta with Tahini here.

Listen to Otis Gray’s “Sleepy” podcast here.

Music in Otis Gray’s piece is by Blue Dot Sessions.

We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, secret ingredients or unexpected techniques with us for a chance to hear yourself on Milk Street Radio! Here's how: https://www.177milkstreet.com/radiotips

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This week, we get a seafood masterclass from one of the world’s greatest chefs, Eric Ripert. He also explains why sauce is the hardest technique to master and reflects on the moment he decided to change the way he ran Le Bernardin. Plus, Milk Street’s science editor, Guy Crosby, joins us to answer our most pressing food science questions, and we uncover the true origins of Chicken Kyiv. (Originally aired October 19, 2023.)

Get this week’s recipe for Chicken Kyiv here.

We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, secret ingredients or unexpected techniques with us for a chance to hear yourself on Milk Street Radio! Here's how: https://www.177milkstreet.com/radiotips

Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BraveTart is back! Stella Parks is here to set the record straight on baking. From buttermilk to pie dough, Parks reveals what can go so wrong and how to get it right. And we’re not done with the sweets yet: We also get a taste for real Vermont maple syrup with veteran sugarer Peter Gregg, we take the anxiety out of baking with blender cakes, “A Way With Words” explores the sticky history of honey, and Cheryl Day returns to answer your baking questions.

Get this week’s recipe for Blender Cake here.

To read more on Stella's interview, visit our blog.

Stella Parks image credit: Sarah Jane Sanders Webb.

We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, secret ingredients or unexpected techniques with us for a chance to hear yourself on Milk Street Radio! Here's how: https://www.177milkstreet.com/radiotips

Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.