Appetizer Recipes

The neighborhood salsa competition was in three days and I’d completely forgotten. My neighbor Carlos had been talking about his entry for weeks—some secret family … Read more

I wasn’t supposed to be at that house at all. My car had started making this awful grinding noise on the way home from the … Read more

This was supposed to be a slow-cooker chili. The kind you simmer all afternoon while the game is on, filling the house with that deep, … Read more

Introduction There used to be this tiny, buzzy sports bar tucked away on the corner of Monroe and 5th that made the crispiest buffalo ranch … Read more

It was 11:17 PM on a random Tuesday night, and I was hit with an insatiable craving for something crispy, garlicky, and oddly refreshing. I … Read more

“Why can’t you just soak the cucumbers in cold water with garlic and dill overnight instead of boiling the brine?” my friend asked as I … Read more

“Why can’t we just use canned corn for the fritters?” my friend asked while I was fussing over fresh kernels. I started to explain why … Read more

The office holiday party was in less than two hours and I’d completely blanked on bringing something to share. Everyone else was hauling in multi-layer … Read more

Introduction The other day, I was waiting in line at a bustling city flea market, juggling a tote bag full of vintage books and a … Read more

Introduction This was supposed to be just a quick batch of plain cucumber pickles. I grabbed the wrong kind of vinegar—apple cider instead of white—and … Read more