Appetizers

I was at a Halloween block party last October, balancing a paper plate of store-bought chips and trying not to spill my drink, when my … Read more

I was standing in the parking lot of a small farm stand last October when it hit me — that sharp, sweet smell of ripe … Read more

The neighborhood Halloween party was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten about the appetizer sign-up. Everyone else would be bringing those elaborate themed platters—you … Read more

I wasn’t expecting to learn how to make homemade pretzels from my accountant. But there I was, sitting in his cramped office during tax season, … Read more

There used to be this tiny taco spot tucked behind a laundromat on 4th Street that made the best guacamole I have ever had. When … Read more

My brother-in-law, Dave, had sworn off “fancy snack boards” for years. Five years. He claimed they were just “pretty plates of overpriced cheese” that left … Read more

I swore I hated spicy food. For years. Like, the kind of person who would order a plain cheese quesadilla at a Mexican restaurant and … Read more

The Super Bowl party was in four hours and I’d completely blanked. I mean, totally. I was standing in my kitchen at 1 PM on … Read more

This was supposed to be a quick side dish for a potluck I was already running late for. I grabbed the wrong bag from the … Read more

The power went out halfway through my daughter’s Halloween party last year. There I was, standing in a dim kitchen with ten hungry five-year-olds dressed … Read more