Appetizers

“You’ve got to try these,” my friend Lena said, sliding a small plate across the counter during one of our weekend brunches. Honestly, I wasn’t … Read more

“You have to try the esquites,” my neighbor Carlos said one humid Saturday afternoon as he handed me a small cup filled with what looked … Read more

“Hand me that bowl,” my neighbor called from across the fence last summer. It was one of those blazing July afternoons when everyone seems to … Read more

Introduction “You have to try this with sourdough,” my friend Mia insisted last Saturday afternoon as she pulled a baking sheet out of her oven, … Read more

Introduction “You have to try these,” my neighbor Mark said one lazy Saturday afternoon as he handed me a plate of what looked like little … Read more

Introduction “You know that moment when a simple summer evening turns into something you’ll remember? It happened to me last July, right after a surprise … Read more

“You’ve got to try this,” my neighbor Carlos said, tossing a skewer onto the grill with a casual flick. It was a sticky, sun-drenched Saturday … Read more

“I wasn’t planning on hosting a brunch the day after graduation, but when my old college roommate called with a last-minute invite, I realized I … Read more

“You’ve got to try this dip,” my neighbor Mark said one Saturday afternoon, holding a foil-wrapped dish like it was a treasure. I was half-watching … Read more

“I wasn’t expecting to become the unofficial party planner of my friend Megan’s bridal shower, but there I was, standing in her tiny apartment kitchen … Read more