The neighborhood chili cook-off was in four hours and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing their slow-simmered masterpieces, secret spice blends, and brisket … Read more

My brother-in-law Dave asked why I couldn’t just brush the bourbon glaze on the ribs during the last ten minutes instead of basting them all … Read more

My brother-in-law Mark had refused butternut squash for a solid decade. Ten years. He claimed it was “too sweet for dinner food” and would push … Read more

I was standing in the checkout line at my local hardware store—not a place I usually find culinary inspiration—when the woman behind me, who was … Read more

My neighbor Sarah wasn’t making a big deal of it. I’d stopped by to return her slow cooker—the one she’d loaned me three weeks ago … Read more