Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio The Codfather: Inside A $175 Million Fish Fraud
14 snips
Feb 6, 2026 
Natasha Pikowitz, hot pot author and expert, shares simple setups, broths, and must-have tools. Ian Koss, investigative reporter behind Catching the Codfather, walks through Carlos Rafael’s rise, his fishing fraud schemes, community complicity, and the cash smuggling aftermath. Short, vivid segments explore kitchen tips, seafood industry mechanics, and why the scandal matters.
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Quick Hot Pot Shortcut
- For quick hot pot, start with plain boiling water and cook small bites a la minute to build broth as you eat.
- Use thinly sliced meats, cabbage, and scallions to create a nourishing broth without pre-cooking.
Hot Pot Hardware Tricks
- Use a divided hot pot topper to offer two contrasting broths at once for balance and variety.
- Use small mesh baskets to cook delicate items like clams or fish balls for easy handling.
Fishing's High Value And High Regulation
- New Bedford became the most valuable U.S. fishing port thanks to scallops and historically important groundfish.
- The industry is highly regulated yet culturally resistant, creating tensions that shape behavior.
