Podcast Summary: "A New Thai Comic Book Cookbook (Food for Thought)"

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Koosha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guests: Christina DeWitta (illustrator) & Malika Gao Bennen (Thai language teacher, co-author)
Date: June 13, 2024

Episode Overview

This "Food for Thought" Thursday segment spotlights the comic-style cookbook Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice: A Thai Comic Cookbook. Host Koosha Navadar speaks with authors Christina DeWitta and Malika Gao Bennen about their creative process, personal connections to Thai food, and how their illustrated book introduces culture and heritage through recipes and comic storytelling. The conversation covers the importance of food in Thai culture, the role of rice, favorite noodle dishes, pantry essentials, adapting Thai recipes, and tips for home cooks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin of the Comic Cookbook

[03:48] Christina DeWitta:

• The idea for a graphic novel-style cookbook came from Christina's agent, Mark, who wanted something fully illustrated but not childish.
• Finding a publisher was a challenge, but when Ten Speed Press (whose editor for the project is Thai) accepted, "all the stars aligned."

  "You generally never see a fully illustrated cookbook that is maybe not as childish, you know... We only had a one shot, one chance with this book because there were not really other publishers interested." — Christina DeWitta ([03:48])

2. Long-Term Friendship and Working Together

[05:02]–[05:57] Malika Gao Bennen:

• Malika, Christina's online Thai language teacher, was thrilled to collaborate, feeling it was her "purpose."

  "I was born for this. This is my purpose, you know... This book is my trophy today." — Malika Gao Bennen ([05:16])

3. Food, Family, and Rural Thai Heritage

[06:10] Malika Gao Bennen:

• Shared memories of growing up in a Thai family where girls were expected to learn to cook.
• Described a backyard full of papaya and chilis, inspiring spontaneous meals.

  "People just love food in Thailand. We eat all the time... When I look at [the backyard], I’m like, I’m gonna make somtam today." — Malika Gao Bennen ([06:10])

4. Connecting to Heritage Through Language and Food

[08:15] Christina DeWitta:

• Belgian-born with Thai heritage, Christina deepened her understanding of Thai identity and language through the cookbook project.
• Discussed the significance of rice: its thousands of varieties, spiritual symbolism, even language connections.

  "Rice is almost as valuable as gold. There are so many thousands of varieties … Rice holds a very special, spiritual meaning in the Thai culture... Thai people even believe that rice has a soul." — Christina DeWitta ([08:15])

5. Rice in Thai Culture

[09:53] Malika Gao Bennen & [10:56] Christina DeWitta:

• In school, teachers stressed the hard work behind every grain of rice; wasting rice is frowned upon.
• Rice is used as spiritual offerings and in respect to monks.

  "Every single grain in the plate, it should be finished." — Malika Gao Bennen ([09:53]) "Feeding monks was a way of staying connected through that spirituality... my mom always told me to finish my rice more than anything." — Christina DeWitta ([10:56])

6. Thai Noodles: A Run-Down

[11:47] Christina DeWitta:

• Favorite noodles: senyai (wide, flat rice noodles), especially in pad see ew. Differentiated between other types: sen lek (thin), egg noodles, and instant ‘Mama noodles’ (celebrated as a snack, even uncooked).

  "We even don't hate instant noodles in Thailand... Mama noodles are, there’s a space for everything." — Christina DeWitta ([11:47])

7. Staple Pantry Items for Thai Cooking

[15:19] Christina DeWitta & [16:19] Malika Gao Bennen:

• Malika’s essentials: oyster sauce, fish sauce, thin soy sauce, and "Roti" (properly "RosDee," a flavor enhancer powder).

  "A good fish oil and ...a few types of soy sauce, you could use the black and the thick one and even the seasoning one... but you should not get all the fancy ingredients." — Christina DeWitta ([15:19])
  "Oyster sauce... fish sauce... thin soy sauce... and Rot D, the powder that adds flavor." — Malika Gao Bennen ([16:19])

8. Recipe Highlight: Pad Krapao

[17:19] Malika Gao Bennen:

• Described as the "all-time favorite" Thai street food, usually made with minced meat or chicken, chili, garlic, oyster and soy sauce, sugar, and holy basil. Flexible with substitutions (regular basil).

  "When you go out, know what to eat, you just order padkrapao because it’s never gonna disappoint you." — Malika Gao Bennen ([17:19])

9. Why Comics? Visual Storytelling in Cookbooks

[18:58] Christina DeWitta:

• Christina found traditional cookbooks hard to follow and wanted to create something visual for learners like herself.
• Each recipe rarely exceeds 10 illustrated steps, aiding “high-speed” Thai cooking.

  "I lost track many, many times [with traditional cookbooks], resulting in a recipe, you know, failing... Illustrating every step would be so helpful... you don’t have time to waste." — Christina DeWitta ([18:58])

10. Vegan and Versatile Thai Cooking

[20:49]–[21:46] Christina DeWitta:

• Recipes are easily made vegan: swap tofu, use vegan fish sauce, omit oyster sauce, or use alternatives.
• Spicy vegan options include pad krapao with tofu and spicy noodle soups (kuay tiew) with chilis and plant-based broth.

  "Everything is adaptable in a halal way, in a vegan way, in a vegetarian way... Anything can be turned vegan." — Christina DeWitta ([20:49])

11. Techniques: The Importance of Preparation and the Rice Cooker

[23:10] Malika Gao Bennen:

• Strongly recommends owning a rice cooker for efficiency.

  "You need to have a rice cooker to save your time." — Malika Gao Bennen ([23:10])

12. Favorite Summer Thai Dishes

[24:10] Christina DeWitta:

• Christina: Som tam (green papaya salad) — "so sour, so fresh, so refreshing."
• Malika: Thai ice cream for beating the heat.

  "Sorry, there is only one decent answer here, and that is som tam. ...It's so amazing... so easy." — Christina DeWitta ([24:10]) "I would go for the ice cream... the sweetness ...will give you energy and it's super good." — Malika Gao Bennen ([24:38])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On making the cookbook a reality:

  "We only had a one shot, one chance with this book because there were not really other publishers interested. So we really were very lucky." — Christina DeWitta ([03:48])

• On rice having a soul:

  "Thai people even believe that rice has a soul. So that’s why they get to learn at a very young age that rice is important. And you should always finish your rice even before your proteins." — Christina DeWitta ([08:15])

• On food as identity and community:

  "People just love food in Thailand, we eat all the time." — Malika Gao Bennen ([06:10])

• Listener interaction:

  "We are Indian, but for every family celebration we go out for Thai food, the owners and staff have become our family. I’m so intimidated by Thai cooking, but I love the idea of your book." — Listener Indira Vo ([18:17])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:22] – Introduction to guests & the cookbook concept
• [03:48] – How the comic cookbook came to be
• [05:09] – Malika’s immediate excitement
• [06:10] – Food and everyday life in rural Thailand
• [08:15] – Christina on food and connecting with Thai heritage
• [09:53]–[10:56] – Rice’s cultural and spiritual importance
• [11:47] – Thai noodles overview
• [15:13]–[15:19] – Listener asks about pantry staples; Christina replies
• [16:19] – Malika’s list of must-have sauces
• [17:19] – Pad Krapao recipe walkthrough
• [18:58] – Christina explains comics as a teaching tool
• [20:49]–[21:46] – Adapting dishes for vegan/vegetarian diets
• [23:10] – Malika’s must-have kitchen item: the rice cooker
• [24:10]–[24:38] – Favorite summer dishes
• [25:07] – Wrap-up

Final Thoughts

Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice offers not only Thai recipes, but a colorful introduction to cultural heritage, family tradition, and visual learning. Through comics, both experienced and new cooks can find accessible, flexible, and authentic ways to bring Thai flavors into their kitchens. The conversation underscores food’s vital role in culture, memory, and community, both in Thailand and across immigrant and diasporic experiences.

Hosts and guests remind listeners:

• Thai cuisine is adaptable—don’t be intimidated by unfamiliar ingredients.
• Cooking and comics can be fun and approachable for everyone.

Listener Engagement:
The hosts encourage calls, texts, and social media interaction to celebrate the NYC community’s diversity and relationship with food.

For more vibrant stories of food and culture, catch "All of It" weekdays on WNYC.