Food

Books
Arts

You don't need a grill to grill, advises award-winning cookbook author

4:29pm July 06, 2023

by Neda Ulaby

James Whetlor, author of The DIY BBQ Cookbook, explains how to reject BBQ maximalism and build your own tandoori oven out of flowerpots, and grill on the holes of cinderblocks.

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Americans relished in a July Fourth tradition: competitive hot dog eating

5:35am July 05, 2023

Joey Chestnut won for the 16th time. He finished 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes — short of his record of 76. On the women's side, returning champ Miki Sudo scarfed down 39.5 hot dogs — her ninth win.

A short history of the American tradition of competitive eating

5:08pm July 04, 2023

The 4th of July traditional hotdog eating contest got us thinking about why food and the holiday are so intertwined. Some experts have gone deep on the subject of competitive eating.

Do you you keep ketchup in the fridge or cupboard? We're here for the debate

4:10pm July 04, 2023

Fridge or cupboard: Where do you keep your ketchup? Dr. Melvin N. Kramer, the president of a group that consults on food safety, joined NPR to bring science to this condiment conundrum.

The celebratory hot dogs await their impending doom.

Arts

How force-feeding ourselves hot dogs became a 'sacred American ritual'

9:42am July 04, 2023

Competitive eating has found a particular foothold in the American zeitgeist — even becoming entwined with ideals like patriotism.

World News

Mexico's ban on tortillas made using GMO corn is an argument that can be tasted

4:59pm July 03, 2023

by Eyder Peralta

Mexico will no longer allow tortillas to be made with genetically modified corn. This story involves a trade spat — worth billions — with the U.S. and a tradition that spans millennia.

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Books

New cookbook has tips for creating your own Oaxacan-inspired cookout

5:11am July 03, 2023

NPR's A Martinez speaks with Bricia Lopez about her book Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling.

The history of competitive eating contests

5:33pm July 01, 2023

Competitive eaters descend on Washington, D.C., to battle for a spot to compete in Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest on July Fourth in Coney Island, N.Y. What is the history of such events?

Meat prices have risen 13% since 2021. Prices are still going up, even though not at eye-popping rates any more.

Economy

As meat prices hover near record highs, here are 3 ways to save on your July 4 cookout

4:55pm July 01, 2023

by Erin Kenney

If you're planning to throw some meat on the grill this weekend, here are some ways to save money in the process.

Lebanon considers way to fight an invasive species ruining the pine nut harvest

8:15am June 29, 2023

by Ruth Sherlock

Workers in Lebanon climb high up pine trees for a valuable export: pine nuts. But the important source of revenue is being choked off by an invasive pest.

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