Appetizers

There used to be a tiny deli on the corner of Elm and 4th in my old neighborhood that made the most incredible pickled tomatoes. … Read more

I had refused to make a fruit salad for a dinner party for, oh, about a decade. Honestly, I thought they were boring—a sad pile … Read more

Last Saturday afternoon, my neighbor watched me fumble with a wobbly stack of crackers and uneven slices of cheese, clearly unsure how to arrange them … Read more

Last Saturday afternoon, I was juggling grocery bags in a crowded parking lot when the sharp tang of vinegar and smoky spices from a nearby … Read more

My neighbor watched me wrestle with my slow cooker one humid Saturday afternoon and didn’t say anything at first. Then, without missing a beat, she … Read more

The other Saturday, I was wandering the aisles of my local grocery store, trying to decide what to bring for a friend’s game day gathering. … Read more

Introduction This was supposed to be a simple green bean side dish for a casual dinner party. I grabbed the wrong jar of vinegar — … Read more

This was supposed to be a simple batch of garlic knots. I had everything ready—the dough was proofing, the garlic butter was melting, and I … Read more

Introduction “Why not just grate the zucchini raw and fry it directly?” my friend asked one afternoon while I was fussing over the recipe for … Read more

Introduction “The office potluck was in less than six hours and I’d completely blanked on bringing anything. Everyone else was showing up with fancy homemade … Read more