• Food

    Blueberry Barbecue Sauce

    Of all the destinations on the Eastern Seaboard, the rugged shores of Maine have a particular allure. Rocky beaches, lobster in the rough, and the heavy scent of nearby forest meant vacation to me, while most of my childhood friends traveled south. My father and I climbed the jagged rocks by day, and the sunburned shoulders I had earned were covered by night, when there was a chill to the salty air. With the abundance of wild blueberries, breakfasts were sure to include pancakes dotted with them and syrups made from bursting the tiny fruits. Since cultivated blueberries are more widely available, I rely on them at home to make…

  • blueberries for cheesecake topping
    Baking,  Food

    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.