Dinner SOS by Bon Appétit

Today, we’re sharing an episode from our friends at Foods That Matter.Mark Jacobs, Chairman of Watkins, divulges the delicate (and sometimes dangerous) process of sourcing the finest vanilla beans in Madagascar and explains why vanilla can be so darn expensive, only sometimes. But vanilla's not all they offer! Mark shares surprising health benefits of spices, and spills the tea on how Watkins keeps their huge variety of spices bursting with flavor - including a tip to properly storing your spices at home. Mark even reveals the one spice that mysteriously eludes Watkins (and why), and shares exactly what to look for when you're on the hunt for the perfect spices. Whether you're a spice connoisseur, a curious cook, or a foodie, this episode is packed with flavor-boosting tips and fascinating facts about food and the brand leading the way for delicious flavors. 

Jen is a confident cook in a household of self-described food people. But she's never been able to successfully make tender, shreddy pork at home, so she called us looking for some rules she can follow to achieve her dream pork in her own kitchen. Chris calls on Inés Anguiano, Certified Pork Stan (tm), to help Jen embrace pork's versatility... and the fact that the only rule with pork cookery is "there are no rules."Recipes featured:  Soy-Basted Pork Chops with Herbs and JalapenosCrispy Pork Cutlets with Kimchi SlawCitrus-Braised Pork with Crispy ShallotsAnd the bonus "middle lane" pork recipes:Mustardy Cider-Braised Pork ChopsSweet-and-Saucy Pork ChopsPork Shoulder Steaks with Grilled Mustard Greens

We get a lot of questions in our inbox from listeners with dietary restrictions. And sometimes, we can absolutely handle them using the expertise right in our test kitchen – no dairy? No meat? No nightshades? No problem. But not all restrictions are that simple. So we tapped registered dietician Desiree Nielsen to answer questions about cooking low-FODMAP, diabetes-friendly, and more. If you're experiencing changes in your health, make sure you contact your doctor and/or a Registered Dietician to make a plan that's right for you.Recipes featured: Super-Seedy Gluten Free Bread Blueberry Chia Seed Jam Gluten Free Carrot Cake Vegan Cacio e Pepe Black Vinegar Chicken with Radishes Kate's Feel Good Food Plan 30 Minute Green Pasta with Kale Velvety Vegan Chocolate Mousse Vegan Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash Cashew Alfredo

Rachel's the kind of cook who free-forms it – no two dinners turn out the same, and she likes it that way. But she’s setting up a dinner for her parents and her partner’s parents to meet each other for the first time, and she wants everything to be perfect. The only issue? Every one of her guests has a different dietary restriction, and none of them seem to work together. So Chris taps Kendra Vaculin to help keep Rachel's eyes on the ultimate prize: making this gathering an excellent time for all involved.Recipes featured:Squash and Broccoli Rabe LasagnaThree-Minute Red Wine VinaigretteRaspberry Cake with Whipped Cream FillingCheesy Mushroom Galette