Appetizers

My neighbor, a retired florist named Carmen who grows herbs in every available pot on her fire escape, watched me fumbling with a wedge of … Read more

My sister-in-law had sworn off Christmas appetizers for years. “Too heavy,” she’d say, waving a hand at the cheese-laden dips and sausage rolls that crowded … Read more

The office holiday potluck was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing elaborate casseroles, slow-cooker meatballs, and those fancy cookies … Read more

I was standing in the frozen food aisle last December, staring at a bag of mixed vegetables, when the smell of pine needles hit me. … Read more

Marta, the woman who runs the little corner market a few blocks from my apartment, watched me standing in front of her potato bin for … Read more

I was standing in the frozen food aisle at my local grocery store last Tuesday, staring at a bag of frozen meatballs, when the smell … Read more

There used to be a little diner off Highway 71 called The Rusty Spoon that made these deviled eggs that I still dream about. When … Read more

Melissa wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by her place to drop off a casserole dish I’d borrowed, and the smell—sharp, creamy, a little … Read more

This was supposed to be a fancy galette. I had it all planned out—a rustic, free-form tart with a homemade crust, a layer of fig … Read more

I was standing in line at the post office—a place I usually avoid like the plague—when the woman ahead of me, who looked like she’d … Read more