Appetizers

My husband Dave had claimed to hate appetizers for fifteen years. He’d stand at the edge of every party with a plate of actual food, … Read more

My neighbor, Elena, watched me struggling with a chaotic spread of chips and cheese that looked more like a disaster than dinner. She didn’t say … Read more

There used to be a tiny bakery tucked behind a florist on a side street in Portland that made the most incredible sourdough focaccia. When … Read more

The summer I turned thirty, my air conditioner died during a heatwave. I’m talking about the kind of sticky, miserable heat that makes you question … Read more

It was 11:47 PM on a random Wednesday, and I had the overwhelming urge for something hot, cheesy, and spicy. You know that feeling when … Read more

A buddy of mine asked why I couldn’t just bake the chili right into some dough cups instead of serving it separate. I started to … Read more

This was supposed to be a proper dinner. I had all the fixings for loaded hot dogs—the good buns, the sauerkraut, the fancy mustard I’d … Read more

I was standing in the dairy aisle last Saturday, staring at a block of cream cheese like it held the secrets to the universe, when … Read more

Stacey wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by her place on a random Tuesday to pick up a book I’d lent her, and the … Read more

This was supposed to be a proper sit-down dinner spread. I had big plans—a slow-cooked something, a fancy side dish, the whole nine yards. But … Read more