833: Salsa, Sauces & Sides with Rick Martínez and Sunny Lee

833: Salsa, Sauces & Sides with Rick Martínez and Sunny Lee

From The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters by American Public Media

September 4, 2026 · 50 min

About this episode

The episode features discussions on creating bold dishes with peak-season produce, focusing on salsas and Korean side dishes.

This week, we’re turning peak-season produce into bold, flavorful dishes. First, we talk with Rick Martínez, author of Salsa Daddy: Dip Your Way into Mexican Cooking , about transforming simple ingredients – think tomatoes, onions, garlic, and chilis – into salsas that sing. Rick explains why salsa is its own food group and leaves us with his family-inspired peach-and-pecan Salsa Tejana recipe. Then, we visit New York chef Sunny Lee of Sunn’s , a restaurant devoted to banchan, Korea’s iconic side dishes. Sunny teaches Francis how to elevate fresh vegetables into inventive, season-forward sides, including her recipe for Tahini Pickled Mushroom banchan . Broadcast dates for this episode: September 5, 2025 (originally aired) September 4, 2026 (rebroadcast) Celebrate kitchen companionship with a gift to The Splendid Table today. When you shop using our links, we earn a small commission. It’s a great way to support public media at no extra cost to you.

People in this episode

Guests: Rick Martínez, Sunny Lee

Topics covered

  • salsa
  • sauces
  • side dishes
  • Mexican cooking
  • Korean cuisine
  • seasonal produce

Keywords

  • salsa
  • sauces
  • banchan
  • Korean side dishes
  • Mexican cooking
  • seasonal vegetables
  • recipes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sunn’s

Books & works: Salsa Daddy: Dip Your Way into Mexican Cooking

Places: New York

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