Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio Padma Lakshmi Does Standup
Mar 6, 2026
Padma Lakshmi, author and longtime television culinary personality, talks about a new book, a fresh cooking competition and her surprising turn into standup comedy. Elise Inamine, food writer and Kewpie enthusiast, dives into the cult history and uses of Kewpie mayonnaise. Short, lively conversations about reinvention, live performance and a beloved pantry staple.
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Precook Vegetables For Lasagna
- Pre-cook watery vegetables before layering them into lasagna to avoid sogginess.
- Sara Moulton recommends salting, patting dry, and roasting zucchini or eggplant at high heat before assembling.
Don't Swap Black Cocoa With Baking Soda
- Avoid substituting black cocoa for natural cocoa when recipes call for leavening with baking soda.
- Christopher explains black cocoa is heavily Dutch‑processed and reduces acid needed for baking soda reactions, causing poor rise and texture.
Public Persona As Personal Evolution
- Padma Lakshmi reframed her public persona as an evolution rather than a reinvention after leaving Top Chef.
- She credits shedding imposed roles and accepting contradictions for reducing impostor syndrome and enabling new creative pursuits.
