851: Spanglish with Monti Carlo and The Lao Kitchen with Saeng Douangdara

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