The KaiKai Book

Resting on a steep hill on the island of San Pascual, Philippines, is a house that’s home to one man and 80,000 birds. These tiny black-and-brown birds are known as “swiftlets,” and they’re a hot commodity in the country. Their nests are formed from hardened saliva, the very special ingredient used to make bird’s nest soup, a Filipino delicacy. So, when the little creatures began to infiltrate his home, Eddie “Macoy” Espares welcomed them — he even gave them a floor in his house. And, despite the noticeable stench his new roommates bring, Espares has no problem “nesting” with his unlikely boarders.

Rare strains of corn, beans, squash and other native crops might have been lost forever if not for the protection efforts of the Potawatomi and Ojibwe tribes and the Jijak Foundation in Hopkins, Michigan. Thanks to the salvation efforts of these tribes and a seed-lending library, native foods are making a comeback and being used in traditional ceremonies.

Mick and his friend team up to track down ingredients for their forest stew.

Troy and his sons prepare for a Landry clan crab boil in this web exclusive.