Pomato Revival

All you eggplant haters, hear me out. We need to talk. I know there’s a cult of you who despise this wondrous, shiny, purple creation, and it makes me sad. And I’ve noticed that it’s never a passive dislike. You rarely say, “Oh, eggplant just isn’t for me.” Your reaction to it is a repulsed, […]

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When I used to think of string cheese, my thoughts went to Polly-O, the string cheese of elementary school lunches. As a kid, I’d thought they invented the stuff. It was the only string cheese I’d heard of, and as far as I knew, all the world really needed. As the commercial said, it’s “the […]

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  There’s something about making lentils that always makes me feel I’m doing the right thing. They’re inexpesive, so I’m being resourceful. They’re healthy, so I’m eating smart. They’re a simple, whole food, so I’m making something from scratch. They’re boring and bland, so they call upon my kitchen creativity. And they remind me of […]

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  You may have guessed by now that my family uses a lot of jars. It’s true. There have been times, when groceries were low, when jars were the only thing you could find in our fridge. Sauce, pickles, green tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, olives—they were all staples, crowding the top shelf behind cloudy glass. […]

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My dad is a man of few words. He enjoys—truly savors—going to work, coming home, cooking with my mom, and taking it easy. His signature dishes are always full of personality, even if he’s cooking them quietly: Rabbit with capers; pasta with sardines, breadcrumbs, and olives; baked clams with paprika and garlic. Those are just […]

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