Appetizer Recipes

This was supposed to be a roasted delicata squash salad. I had it all planned out—a beautiful autumnal bowl with farro, pomegranate seeds, and a … Read more

My brother-in-law claimed he didn’t do “cute food.” For years. The man would side-eye a deviled egg platter and mutter something about form over function. … Read more

My neighbor Kate wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by to grab a garden hose I’d borrowed back in September—it was late October, and … Read more

This was supposed to be a straightforward buffalo chicken dip. I had the cream cheese softening on the counter, the shredded chicken ready to go, … Read more

My neighbor Marco asked why I couldn’t just use canned chili for the dip. I had been explaining my elaborate plan—browning meat, toasting spices, simmering … Read more

My brother swore he hated deviled eggs. For years. Thirty-two of them, actually. Then last Easter, I caught him standing alone in my kitchen, eating … Read more

The farmer’s market lady, who I only knew as Margaret, watched me staring at her display of purple cauliflower one October morning. She didn’t say … Read more

My sister-in-law wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I’d stopped by to drop off a casserole dish I’d borrowed, and the smell hit me before I … Read more

I wasn’t expecting cooking advice from a plumber, but there I was, holding a dripping pipe fitting while he explained exactly how to make pumpkin … Read more

I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. That’s the thing—I’d stopped by my neighbor’s place on a random Tuesday to drop off a Tupperware of soup … Read more