Appetizer Recipes

Introduction Last Saturday afternoon, I was wrestling with a stubbornly sticky dough on the kitchen counter when my neighbor, Mrs. Alvarez, stepped in quietly. She … Read more

Introduction This was supposed to be a simple fruit salad experiment, nothing more. I grabbed what looked like the right watermelon from the farmer’s market, … Read more

My friend Dave had insisted for years that pulled pork was way too messy and overrated for casual get-togethers. For a solid three years, he … Read more

Introduction The other day, I was waiting in line at the local farmers market when the scent of fresh basil and ripe tomatoes hit me … Read more

Introduction “You know,” my colleague Mike watched me fumble with a container of plain sour cream, trying to think of something fun for our Friday … Read more

The 4th of July party was in less than two hours and I still hadn’t figured out what to bring. Everyone else would be showing … Read more

Introduction “You know, I never thought much about pickles until that humid July afternoon at the flea market,” I started telling my friend as we … Read more

“You won’t believe how this little crostini stole the entire party,” my friend Jenna said last Friday night, as I fumbled with the last bit … Read more

“You know that moment when you open the fridge and the smell just hits you—sharp, garlicky, with a fiery little kick that wakes up your … Read more

“You know that moment when you’re at a summer picnic, and the sun is just right, the breeze carries laughter, and someone brings out these … Read more