Comfort Food Classics

I was supposed to be making a creamy stovetop mac and cheese for a potluck. The kind that comes together in one pot, you know, … Read more

Thanksgiving was in three days and I’d completely forgotten I was supposed to bring the cranberry sauce. Not just any cranberry sauce, mind you—my aunt’s … Read more

There used to be a little diner off Highway 61 in Missouri called The Rusty Spoon that made a corn casserole so creamy, so perfectly … Read more

This was supposed to be a completely different dish. I mean, I had it all planned out in my head—a fancy green bean almondine with … Read more

The neighborhood potluck was in four hours and I’d completely forgotten. I mean, completely. I was standing in my kitchen at 2 PM on a … Read more

I was at my local hardware store—of all places—buying a new snow shovel last January when the woman behind me in line started talking about … Read more

My neighbor Mark asked why I couldn’t just throw all the mashed potato toppings into the baking dish instead of fussing with individual bowls at … Read more

The Friendsgiving potluck was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing their signature dishes — Karen’s legendary mac and cheese, … Read more

Old Mrs. Gable, my neighbor from three doors down, watched me struggle with a flimsy colander overflowing with green beans one afternoon. She didn’t say … Read more

There used to be this tiny French bistro tucked away on a side street in Portland called Le Petit Coin that made the most incredible … Read more