About this episode
Francis Lam is in the kitchen with cookbook author and Top Chef judge Gail Simmons to learn about her Key 3, the three go-to dishes she just can't do without - including the perfect fried egg sandwich. Chef, writer and photographer Michael Harlan Turkell traveled the world in search for unique vinegars for his new book, Acid Trip . He talks with Shauna Sever about his experiences, and discusses the equipment needed to make vinegar at home. Sous vide is an easy cooking technique that involves cooking sealed food in a precisely heated water bath. Molly Birnbaum, executive director of science at America’s Test Kitchen, explains the process and tells us about the winner of a recent sous vide equipment test. And The New York Times Magazine writer Tejal Rao opens her heart to love over a well-shucked oyster. Francis takes listener phone calls to talk about braising projects - large and small - cooking zucchini noodles, and he gets a fan's recipe for a ultra-savory umami powder . Broadcast dates for this episode: October 20, 2017 (originally aired) October 26, 2018 (rebroadcast)