851: Spanglish with Monti Carlo and The Lao Kitchen with Saeng Douangdara
From The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters by American Public Media
June 12, 2026 · 51 min
About this episode
This episode features chefs Monti Carlo and Saeng Douangdara discussing traditional foods and cultural identity.
This week, we explore traditional foods and identity with two amazing chefs. First, Food editor and author Monti Carlo talks about her visit home to Puerto Rico after many years away and how reconnecting with her roots shaped her approach to cooking traditional dishes, even adding her own spin, like her Bacalaíto Battered Onion Rings recipe. Monti Carlo is the Senior Food & Dining Editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and author of the latest book, Spanglish. Then, we get into the spicy, savory, sticky food of Laos with Saeng Douangdara. Saeng talks about his upbringing in Wisconsin, why sticky rice is a huge identifier of Laotian culture, and shares his favorite recipes, including his take on the Laab Taco . Saeng Douangdara is the author of The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors and Stories Told Through Family Recipes. Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews! Broadcast dates for this episode: June 12, 2026 (originally aired) Generous listeners like you make The Splendid Table possible. Donate today to support the show
People in this episode
Guests: Monti Carlo, Saeng Douangdara
Topics covered
- traditional foods
- identity
- cooking
- Laotian culture
- Puerto Rican cuisine
- family recipes
Keywords
- Monti Carlo
- Saeng Douangdara
- Puerto Rico
- Laos
- cooking
- Bacalaíto Battered Onion Rings
- Laab Taco
- family recipes
- food culture
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Books & works: Spanglish, The Lao Kitchen: Lao Flavors and Stories Told Through Family Recipes
Places: Puerto Rico, Wisconsin
More episodes of The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters
- 827: Life of a Restaurant Critic with Bill Addison and Wini Moranville · June 5, 2026 · 50 min
- Culinary Masters Collection -Anthony Bourdain · June 2, 2026 · 21 min
- 804: Summer Reading with Aimee Nezhukumatathil author of Bite By Bite & Sara B. Franklin author of The Editor · May 29, 2026 · 51 min
- Culinary Masters Collection - Dr. Jessica B. Harris · May 26, 2026 · 48 min
- 850: Spain My Way with Chef José Andrés · May 22, 2026 · 50 min
- Culinary Masters Collection - Jacques Pépin · May 19, 2026 · 41 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters podcast page.