Ancestral Kitchen

Alison Kay & Andrea Huehnerhoff
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Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 54min

#128 - Unprocessed Foods: The Ancestral Pantry

What foods will you find in an ancestral pantry in a modern world kitchen? Today we will share some of the foods we store in our pantries to keep our regional, from-scratch meals on the table on a daily basis, as well as talk about modern tools that help us to turn some inexpensive, bulk raw products into value-added products. We will travel back in time to visit ancient and old pantries and look at what people were eating and how they were storing it, and we will also talk about ancient tools, some of which we still use today.Supporters of the pod can check their private podcast feed for an aftershow where we share some of the foods we used to keep in our pantries “Before” ancestral food; and, everyone can check the show notes here for some of our favorite resources for reading about pantries and food in times past.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:For the photos and descriptions mentioned in the show, see our show notes at www.ancestralkitchenpodcast.comRuth Goodman video, “What the Tudors really ate”Tudor Monastery Farm, BBC/PBSFood in History, Reay TannahillFive Children and It, E. NesbitThe Diary of a Farmer’s Wife 1796 - 1797, Anne HughesFood In England, Dorothy HartleyLost Country Life, Dorothy HartleyThe Domestic Revolution, Ruth GoodmanDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Mar 2, 2026 • 1h 45min

#127 - How to Render Fat at Home (with Q&A)

Fat is one of the cornerstones of ancestral eating. But getting hold of good saturated fat is not easy and can be eye-wateringly expensive. Making it at home, as Andrea and I do, you can cut your costs incredibly and also feel sure of the provenance and processing.This episode will talk you through everything you need to know about rendering fat. We'll explain the different types of fats, their names, their properties and how you can use them. We'll then demystify the ways you can render fat in your kitchen, no matter what equipment you have, giving you step-by-step instructions. We'll clarify how you'll know your fat is done, what to do with the leftovers, how to clean up, the many different ways you can store your fat and how to know if it's gone bad.This episode is peppered with real questions from real ancestral cooks about fat rendering – thank you to every supporter who sent in their query.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:Tallow price online linkLard price online linkHow to render lard in a slow cooker7 ways to use lard (including a lard crackling spread recipe)Pane con Ciccioli recipeDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Feb 16, 2026 • 1h 56min

#126 - Living Like a Human with Tara Couture of Slowdown Farmstead

When Alison and I were starting this podcast, she asked who was on my dream list of people to talk to. I said Tara Couture of Slowdown Farmstead and today that is what happened. In an incredibly long and appropriately slow morning we sat down together to talk for the first time and it was like visiting with an old friend I had waited a very long time to see again. Tara once shared her life on Instagram and I followed her avidly there, listening to her wisdom both practical and philosophical on butchery and growing and shifting, and how in the midst of life we are in death. Taking words from the screen to the printed page, Tara recently wrote a book, Radiance of the Ordinary. Since I had dropped off social media and Tara soon would herself, I was no longer reading her words, so when my copy arrived in the mail it felt like unwrapping a long-awaited, much anticipated letter from a beloved mentor.In this episode we discussed many things including what does it look like to be living life at a human pace, as a human, in an ever-increasingly inhumane world? Is it even possible or practical to be a human in a world that expects you to be, and treats you as, a machine? Tara and I went through a lot of tea and boza over this long conversation so I invite you to settle in and join in with us, and let's be human together.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *The personal views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect our own personal views or opinions. We recognize that our guests are whole persons and this may include views we or our audience actively disagree with; our guests are invited to the show because we feel they have something valuable to share with us all, and we do not ask them to censor their personal views on air. Our sharing of their work is not necessarily an endorsement of their personal views.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:Slowdown Farmstead | Tara | SubstackRadiance of the Ordinary by Tara CoutureAgainst the Machine by Paul KingsnorthDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 28min

#125 - Just Right: The Story of Porridge (& The Best Ways To Cook It)

Humans have been eating porridge (of which the American oatmeal is just one example) for, as you’ll hear, at least 32,000 years (that places it comfortably in the ‘paleo diet’ era!) Listen in to hear us cover just some of the history of this word and the comforting dish associated with it, as well as taking a tour of the many, many ways it is made throughout the world. Then we’ll focus in on oats - sharing surprising ways in which oat porridge has been served and eaten in the United Kingdom. We'll also explain the different types of oats used, the best ways to cook porridge and the myriad ways you can serve it.If you love a bowl of steaming, creamy oatmeal, get ready to wrap your hands around this enlightening, inspiring episode.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:Millet PolentaDifferent Types of Oats and How to Use Each the Traditional WayHeritage Oat CollectionWhat is Sowans?Ollebrod recipeHow to Roll Your Own Oats (and 3 Good Reasons to do It!)Gerty Milk articleEpisode 70: Fermenting OatsDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 44min

#124 - Five Family Meals Around Five Dollars Each: budget-friendly, ancestral peasant food

Everybody always wants to know - is a nourishing diet an elitist, privileged ideal, inaccessible to people without a huge budget, and only for the super wealthy? In this episode we are going to share five complete meals. Each meal serves a family of five, and each complete meal can be made for about $5USD (£3.71GBP).Balancing these inexpensive meals against the more expensive meals that can turn up in an ancestral menu is one way you can bring the overall annual food budget down. You can make all five of these menus, combined, for less than it would cost to take your family of five out one time for the cheapest option at McDonald’s - and that’s not even accounting for the life-giving, health-sustaining benefits of your nourishing meals.Each of these menus has an option for gluten-free and dairy-free, if they aren’t already, and they can also be made ahead, prepped ahead, or even frozen or canned for absolutely speedy preparation. We’ve shared a few books rich in ideas at the end of the episode, and supporters can find our notes for this rather note-heavy episode in a download available at ancestralkitchenpodcast.com.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *What We Cover:What we ateReview from HeatherThe cost of food todayNine ancestral principles for cutting down a food budgetHappy Meal costs! The expense of eating out and Alison's shock at the costThe ideas behind the food: Seasonality, Availability, Fasting or Feasting, Preference and AbundanceMeals 1 - 5 and cost for each, and each componentAlison's chicken carcass aside - should we do an entire episode on this!?A few inexpensive treats and beveragesBooks chock-full of ideasDiscord discussion on what we can be growing and raising vs buying and barteringINCLUDED Aftershow: The kombucha experiment and extra savings!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:Alison's Gluten-Free Millet Sourdough StarterEpisode 103 – 10 Nourishing Traditions Dishes – Cheaper Than Supermarkets!Meals at the Ancestral Hearth CookbookEpisode 116 – Leftovers and Scraps in a Frugal Ancestral KitchenNaturally-Fermented Staffordshire Oatcakes RecipesCheesy Pinto Bean RecipeSimple Apple CrispExtra RecipesPressure-Canned BeansOne-Pot Pinto Beans and RicePinto Bean Soup with GreensCream of Corn SoupAndrea's Kombucha RecipeBooksMake the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer ReeseTwelve Months of Monastery Soups by Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-LatourretteA Cabin Full of Food by Marie Beausoleil (Amazon link)Pressure Canning for Beginners by Angie SchneiderFurther ReadingThe Nella Last diaries give an intimate, day-by-day picture into life with war-time and post-war rationing in England84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff; this isn't a book about food, but it gives surprising insight into the depth of the rationing and the effect it had, and how preciously the food was used that could be hadLooking up Wartime Recipes produces tons of amazing and interesting results for cookbooks and websites! Grandma's Wartime Kitchen, The Homefront Cookbook, and others have intriguing and creative recipes. Similarly, looking of Great Depression books can give a glimpse into many recipes and ways of eating during extremely lean times in the US.Do you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 41min

#123 - Celebrating Real Pork - History, Sourcing & A Mouth-Watering Recipe Book

Sausages, bacon, crackling – good pork can be heavenly food. But both of us know that, sometimes, in the ancestral food world, pork is viewed as the poorer cousin to grass-fed beef or pastured chicken. That needn't be the case and this episode will put real pork where it deserves to be - at the centre of our plates. We'll give you some fascinating history bites, we'll talk about how the Industrial Revolution changed mainstream pigs, and we will lay out how buying real, pastured, pork is a positive, health-giving and delicious choice for you and those you love. Expect to be inspired by hearing us talk about the many ways we cook the products of the pig, from the nose to the tail.This episode is accompanied by a fabulous pork cookbook which we've gifted, as a thank you, to all our current supporters. So if you're a supporter do go check your email. The book, with over 25 pork recipes is also available to buy from the podcast's shop, you purchasing a copy will be directly supporting Andrea and I to continue this work. Find it here:Pastured Pork Cookbook* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:www.robertmichaelkay.comThe new oat recipe downloadHow to Render Lard in a Slow CookerPane con Ciccioli (lard crackling bread)7 Ways to Use Lard (& a Lard Crackling Spread Recipe)How to Make Lardo (Italian Cured Pig Fat) at HomeSlovakian Lard Crackling Biscuits from Naomi at almostbananas.netEating to ExtinctionEpisode 29 - True Historical Italian FoodEpisode 33 - The Fats We Love, The Fats We LeaveEpisode 38 - Fat Rendering, Traditional Food Gems & Eggs, Eggs, Eggs!Episode 49 - Traditional Slovakian FoodEpisode 23 - Traditional Slovakian Pig ButcheryThe roast pork crackling recipe Alison lovesDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 21min

#122 - Why We Eat Local & Farm-Friendly Food

Why eat local? What if it isn’t easy? What if the things I want aren't available? What's the point? Alison and I have both considered these questions for ourselves and factored them into decisions that we’ve made about how we live our everyday lives. We didn’t make the changes overnight, and we don’t even suggest people do so. After the many books we have read, the real-life experiences we have had, and guests we have interviewed on the subject of factory farming vs humane peasant farming, we have come to some conclusions about eating local that might surprise you. They might not be the conclusions or the “arguments” you were expecting.This episode features an aftershow which could possibly be described as a little bit salty, where some spicier opinions came to the fore. It was impossible to include everything we had to say and keep the main episode at a reasonable length of time. If you want to hear this aftershow as well as over 140 other episodes on our more informal, private podcast Kitchen Table Chats, hop over to ancestralkitchenpodcast.com/join and join at companionship or above level. Thank you for your continued support and to all the supporters, reviewers and listeners who made this episode possible.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *What We Covered:Simple breakfast, and pheasant in BritainA new, free rye resource from AlisonWhat countries are our listeners coming from?How do they listen?See the full list on our podcast websiteShout out to young listenersWhy do we eat local?Eating like a human - behaving like a humanWhat is farm-friendly foodIs everything we eat local?Healthcare spending and food spendingMoney mattersOur plan to save the world (it might shock you)What we can doWhat is our responsibility?* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:To see the countries where we have AKP listeners, visit www.ancestralkitchenpodcast.com/downloadsTo get Alison’s Beginner’s Guide to Rye Sourdough, pop your details in the sign-up box that’s nestling inside either of these informative blog posts on her site:https://ancestralkitchen.com/2021/01/04/everyday-wholegrain-sourdough-rye-loaf/Orhttps://ancestralkitchen.com/2025/04/14/how-to-make-sourdough-rye-bread-from-scratch/Each of the episodes mentioned here includes an entirely packed show notes of further reading and links on that specific topic!Episode 46: Sir Patrick HoldenEpisode 116: Leftovers and Scraps in a Frugal Ancestral KitchenEpisode 103: 10 Nourishing Traditions Dishes Cheaper Than Supermarkets!Episode 102: The Guide to Getting Out of SupermarketsEpisode 74: 14 Tips for Changing Your Food HabitsEpisode 69: Fake Food v Small FarmsEpisode 66: 50 Ways to Save Money on an Ancestral Diet Part IEpisode 67: 50 Ways to Save Money Part IIEpisode 50: 20 Small Steps to an Ancestral KitchenEpisode 4: The 5 Most Expensive (and Yet the Cheapest) FoodsSuggested ReadingLeah's Rec: Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth (we haven't read this yet, but are reading as a podcast together starting in Jan 2026) A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: one farm, six generations, and the future of food by Will HarrisThe Unsettling of America by Wendell BerryJayber Crow by Wendell BerryThe Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry by Wendell BerryEverything I Want to Do Is Illegal: War Stories from the Local Food Front by Joel SalatinThe Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America’s Underground Food Movements by Sandor Ellix KatzThe Joel Salatin book we mentioned a number of times: Holy Cows and Hog Heaven: The Food Buyer’s Guide to Farm Friendly Food by Joel SalatinHis goal [with this book] is to:• Empower food buyers to pursue positive alternatives to the industrialized food system• Bring clean food farmers and their patrons into a teamwork relationship• Marry the best of western technology with the soul of eastern ethics• Educate food buyers about productions• Create a food system that enhances nature’s ecology for future generations"Do you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Dec 1, 2025 • 1h 27min

#121 - 24 More Nuggets of Ancestral Wisdom!

Back in episode 117, we gave you 26 nuggets of ancestral wisdom. We’ve got more. Another 24 to be precise. And just because these are in this second episode doesn’t mean they are any less important!Over the next hour, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, with cups of tea in our hands we'll be channelling our great-grandma wisdom and bringing you some ancestral truths relating to food, creativity, family, health, work and life.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.For US listeners, we recommend Grand Teton Ancient Grains. They sell regenerative, organic flours and berries that can satisfy all your baking needs. Stock up and get free shipping at AncientGrains.com* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:Alison’s original blog post, 50 Things an Ancestral Lifestyle Has Taught MeEpisode 86: Your StoriesShare your stories hereAgainst the Machine by Paul KingsnorthEpisode 87: Taking Your Health in Your Own HandsEpisode 56: Preparing Nutrient-Dense Meals From Scratch Every DayEpisode 12: Why I Gave Away My iPhoneLink to supporter extra:Kitchen Table Chats Podcast Episode 31: Tasting Training with Lizzy FiloramoAccompanying worksheetDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 27min

#120 - Using Ancient Grains & Ethical Growing with Jade from Grand Teton Ancient Grains

Khorasan rye, spelt, emmer, millet, quinoa - what do all of these delicious foods have in common? They are considered ancient grains, grasses harking back to a time before industrial development and heavy hybridisation.You are what you eat eats, and that goes for grains as well as anything else. The nutrients your grains are pulling up out of the soil are the ones you will find in your finished product. Grains are an incredible source of minerals and micronutrients when grown in a regenerative manner.This is why today I am so excited to introduce you to Grand Teton Ancient Grains! You can find this incredible family business online at www.ancientgrains.com and in this episode I got to sit down with Jade Koyl, the owner of this incredible family farm, and learn more about the way they feed the soil, their crop rotations, grain storage, and how their family uses grains in their everyday diet; as well as why they started growing them in the first place.Supporters can stick around for a couple minutes in the Aftershow on the private podcast, Kitchen Table Chats, where Jade shared some of the titles he's reading right now and a little more about his family life.Everybody can check the show notes for both the link to his company's store as well as a link with an amazing wealth of recipes for utilizing ancient grains at https://www.ancientgrains.com/grain-recipes. Now, let's get to the show!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.For US listeners, we recommend Grand Teton Ancient Grains. They sell regenerative, organic flours and berries that can satisfy all your baking needs. Stock up and get free shipping at AncientGrains.com* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *What we talked about:What did you last eat?Farm originWhy ancient grainsRegenerative growing vs conventionalCover crops and rotating cropsHow they replenish their soilHow to increase diversity of grains in the dietWorking with sourdoughHow different grains behaveFresh-milled vs pre-milledStoring grainsHow they mill their floursWhat does never hybridised meanThe personal views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect our own personal views or opinions. We recognize that our guests are whole persons and this may include views we or our audience actively disagree with; our guests are invited to the show because we feel they have something valuable to share with us all, and we do not ask them to censor their personal views on air. Our sharing of their work is not necessarily an endorsement of their personal views.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:www.ancientgrains.comhttps://www.ancientgrains.com/grain-recipesSpelt Sourdough Everyday Cookbook by Alison KayEpisode 104 - Baking with Ancient GrainsEpisode 72 - All About Spelt SourdoughEpisode 81 - Millet: How to use this sustainable, gluten and lectin-free grainEpisode 41 - Wholegrain Sourdough Rye: Mastering the BasicsThe Ancestral Kitchen Podcast Guide to Milling Your Own Flour (and the Mockmill!)Do you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay
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Nov 3, 2025 • 1h 24min

#119 - Why (& How) You Should Be Eating Chocolate with Marcos Patchett

In so many of our episodes over the last four years, we have explored how no food we eat is intrinsically ‘bad’. Instead, it’s what we as humans living in a rapidly globalising and industrialising world, have done to that food that causes problems. The topic of today’s episode, cacao, epitomises this. Originally, in its home, central america, cacao beans were revered and used unsweetened as a drink. Our world has taken and transformed them into an unrecognisable sugary commodity that fills the shelves of shops globally. A commodity that can, as Alison personally knows, through at 20, being addicted to the stuff and obese, ruin health.But as ancestral cooks, we need not be scared. And our guest today knows that better than anyone we’ve ever come across. Marcos Patchett is a self-confessed cacao geek and has written two books on this bean’s wonders, the first of which, The Secret Life of Chocolate is 700 pages of incredible research, of which Alison has devoured every page!Cacao is an incredibly nutrient-dense food and one that can give us both pleasure and health. Let’s talk about why, and, how, you should be eating chocolate.Supporters of the podcast, check your private feed for a fascinating discussion on addiction that we just couldn’t squeeze into the main episode.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *One Earth Health make the grass-fed organ supplements we use and trust. Get 15% off your first order here and 5% off all subsequent orders here.For US listeners, we recommend Grand Teton Ancient Grains. They sell regenerative, organic flours and berries that can satisfy all your baking needs. Stock up and get free shipping at AncientGrains.com* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Get more news from Alison & Andrea by signing up to their newsletter here.For a free 30-page guide to Baking with Ancient Grains sign up for Alison's newsletter here!Get our three podcast cookbooks:Meals at the Ancestral HearthSpelt Sourdough Every DayThe Pastured Pork CookbookGet all three of our cookbooks! Alison's course, Rye Sourdough Bread: Mastering The BasicsAlison's Sowans oat fermentation courseGet 10% off US/Canada Bokashi supplies: click here and use code AKP.Get 10% off UK Bokashi supplies.Visit our (non-Amazon!) bookshop for our favourite cookbooks: US link here and UK link here.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Our podcast is supported by a community of ancestral cooks around the world!Come join our community! You can choose to simply sponsor the podcast, or select from a variety of levels with benefits including monthly live Zoom calls, a private podcast feed stuffed with bonus content, and a Discord discussion grouFind out more here!* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *What we cover:Why we should be eating chocolateHealth benefits of cacaoAnti-oxidants and how they workCacao as suncream!Discussion on the stimulant effect of cacao, comparing it to the stimulants in coffee and tea and covering the different types of beansWider discussion on habituation and how 'exciting' foods can be part of our life, healthilyReductionism in food culture and how cacao, just like every food, is more than the sum of its partsHow we should be eating chocolateHow cacao was originally consumed and what happened when it came to EuropeAlison's experience making atolesWays we can maximise cacao's health benefits in our own livesThe personal views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect our own personal views or opinions. We recognize that our guests are whole persons and this may include views we or our audience actively disagree with; our guests are invited to the show because we feel they have something valuable to share with us all, and we do not ask them to censor their personal views on air. Our sharing of their work is not necessarily an endorsement of their personal views.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *5* reviews on Apple Podcasts, mean the world to us! Here's how to leave one:Open the Apple Podcast appFind Ancestral Kitchen Podcast in your libraryScroll down to 'ratings and reviews'Click on 'write a review', give us 5*s and then tell us why you love listening* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Resources:Marcos has written two books on cacao:The Secret Life of Chocolate (Alison has the hardback but this is also now available more economically as an ebook), and Pharmakakawa.If you want to buy a copy of them, he is offering podcast listeners a 20% discount. Use the code CHOC20 on the publishers website: https://www.aeonbooks.co.ukMarcos’ InstagramMarcos’ herbalist websiteMarcos is on You Tube as The Nocturnal HerbalistAlison's course Bean-to-Bar Chocolate with No Special Equipment mentioned in the recording will guide you through making chocolate at home from the raw bean with equipment you already have in your kitchenDo you have memories, documents, recipes or stories of those who cooked ancestrally? Visit our website here for how to share.Thank you for listening - we'd love to connect more: The podcast has a website here!Stay in touch with Alison via her newsletter at Ancestral KitchenThe podcast is on You Tube hereThe podcast is mixed and the music created by Alison's husband, Rob. Find him here: Robert Michael Kay

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