Appetizers & Snacks

This was supposed to be a proper sit-down dinner party. I had the whole menu planned out—a slow-braised short rib, a fancy salad with shaved … Read more

There used to be this tiny wine bar tucked away on a side street in Charleston, South Carolina—a place called The Gilded Grape—that made the … Read more

This was supposed to be a cranberry chutney. I had big plans—simmering dried cranberries with orange juice and spices, the whole nine yards. But the … Read more

Jen wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by her place on a random Tuesday afternoon to drop off a book I’d borrowed, and the … Read more

I was at my local farmers’ market last fall, grabbing my usual Saturday morning coffee, when the woman next to me—an older lady with flour … Read more

I wasn’t expecting cooking advice from the guy repairing my washing machine, but there I was, standing in my messy kitchen on a rainy Tuesday, … Read more

This was supposed to be a proper sit-down dinner situation. I had all these grand plans for a buffalo chicken casserole with rice, a side … Read more

I wasn’t expecting cooking advice from my accountant, but there I was, knee-deep in tax paperwork last November, listening to Gary describe exactly how to … Read more

The neighborhood holiday party was in three hours and I’d completely forgotten. I mean, I’d remembered to RSVP, but somewhere between work and picking up … Read more

I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store last October, staring at a display of avocados that were perfectly, impossibly ripe, when … Read more