Appetizers

Last Saturday afternoon, I was wandering through the bustling produce aisle at my local market when a sudden sharp, spicy-sour scent hit me — and … Read more

“I never cared for figs,” my friend Anna confessed one lazy Sunday afternoon as we prepared snacks for a small gathering. She’d outright refused them … Read more

Last Saturday afternoon, my neighbor watched me wrestle with a stubborn flatbread dough that refused to stretch evenly. He didn’t say anything at first, just … Read more

Introduction The neighborhood barbecue was in just a couple of hours and I’d completely forgotten to bring a side dish. Everyone else was hauling in … Read more

Introduction There used to be a tiny deli tucked away on a bustling side street in downtown Portland that made the most unforgettable tangy dill … Read more

Introduction “The sizzle when fresh corn hits the hot pan—honestly, it’s like a signal that something good’s about to happen.” I wasn’t even there for … Read more

“Why don’t you just toss the corn straight into the skillet without pre-boiling it?” my friend Carlos asked one humid Saturday afternoon. I started to … Read more

Introduction The summer I turned thirty, my neighbor watched me fumbling with a basket of unripened tomatoes on the porch steps, not saying a word … Read more

Introduction The neighborhood summer picnic was in less than two hours and I’d completely blanked on bringing anything fresh. Everyone else was showing up with … Read more

“Why can’t we just skip the flour and use parmesan to coat the zucchini instead?” my friend asked while we were prepping for a casual … Read more