Food
-
Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches
“She is a lover of art, words, sweets, and all things Mexican. She thinks from within a sugar skull.” At least that’s what it says in my bio for a poem published in Red Fez a few years ago, which you can read here. This weekend while indulging a serious Mexican craving, we headed to Playa Betty’s, a relatively new spot on the Upper West Side with a southern California vibe. We have some favorite spots that are closer to home, but we really wanted to relax, and the beachy feel and chance to try another kitchen’s take on Mexican won us over.
-
In Praise of Oregano
Fireflies, grill smoke, and my grandfather wearing a laurel made of mint stems. These are a few of the memories that light up my senses when I think about the summers of my childhood. At every picnic my parents hosted, he would take a trip to the mint bed, pluck a few stems to ward off mosquitoes, and craft a laurel fit for Caesar. It seems after all these years that my grandfather’s trick still holds weight. Year after year, the mint bed on the side of my house deters mosquitoes from that area. Perhaps I started planting it in remembrance of my grandfather and his funny little quirk, but…
-
Imperfect Baking 101 (& Blueberry Cheesecake Topping Recipe)
How do I prevent a cracked cheesecake? If you ever baked a cheesecake, you likely have consulted with Google or a friend on this one. Just the sight of butter in the fridge generally makes me start whipping up a dessert, which is to say I know my way around a kitchen, but I certainly have not mastered the perfectly formed cheesecake top. Custardy smooth middle. Perfect crust. Check and check. Sometimes with a beautiful crack in the middle.
