Appetizers

My sister-in-law, Jen, wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by her place to drop off a casserole dish I’d borrowed, and this weird, amazing … Read more

My roommate Sophie asked why I couldn’t just throw everything onto one big board instead of fussing with separate platters for our Friendsgiving. I started … Read more

Marisol watched me fumbling with a bag of fresh cranberries in the community garden kitchen last November. I was trying to remember my grandmother’s recipe—the … Read more

My neighbor’s daughter, probably about ten at the time, asked why I couldn’t just carve a watermelon for Halloween instead of a pumpkin. I started … Read more

I was standing in line at the DMV—a place where culinary inspiration definitely doesn’t strike—when the woman ahead of me, clutching a folder of paperwork … Read more

My friend Jen asked why I couldn’t just use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese. I started to explain why that wouldn’t work — something … Read more

I was standing in the produce aisle last Tuesday, staring at a bag of black olives like they held the secrets to the universe, when … Read more

It was 11:47 PM on a random Tuesday in October, and I was hit with the weirdest craving for something spooky but cozy. I didn’t … Read more

I was standing in the frozen foods aisle last October, staring at a bag of mini hot dogs, when this weird, sharp smell hit me—mustard … Read more

This was supposed to be a batch of roasted butternut squash seeds. I had this whole plan, you know? A little smoked paprika, some cayenne, … Read more