Behind the Scenes Moth Radio Hour Extras

Gretchen Van Esstelyn

Gretchen grew up in a different kind of restaurant family where "salad" meant protein plus mayonnaise.

 

Here is her recipe for ham salad:
 

Start with leftover ham, any amount. Grind the ham in a meat grinder or food processor. For each cup of ground ham, add a tablespoon of jarred mayonnaise, a teaspoon of sweet pickle relish, and a teaspoon of brown mustard. Fold gently, and taste. Add hot sauce, horseradish, even chili crisp, with the knowledge that every addition takes you further from the recipe and closer to your own ham salad bliss state. Spread on crackers or bread.

 

This concoction is also called minced ham, and it appeared on the menu at her grandparents' coffee shop, Tummels, in NYC for more than 30 years - it is also memorialized in this poem published in the journal Spork. 

https://thisissporkpress.com/3_1/Pieces/Vanesselstyn.htm

Jeremy Gaitan

A photo of the Tetons by Jeremy

A photo of the Tetons by Jeremy.

Jeremy skiing

Jeremy skiing.

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54:11
Behind the Scenes: The Moth Radio Hour

by The Moth

If you've been moved by a story this year, text 'GIVE25' to 78679 to make a donation to The Moth today.

In this hour, stories by and about the people who work behind the scenes. A bartender, an almost-cook, and a teacher. This episode is hosted by Moth director Jodi Powell. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.

Storytellers:

Gretchen Van Esstelyn steps up during a kitchen catastrophe. 

James Gordon's student asks him a difficult question. 

Bartender Anastasia Maximenko has an uncomfortable conversation with a customer. 

Nahla Summers's partner is determined to give her the best birthday ever. 

Jeremy Gaitan and his family are caught in a natural disaster. 

Podcast # 956

 

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