Bethany Imondi
It leads you on with its perfect evenings spent watching sunsets, cool nights spent listening to fireworks wrapped in a blanket and afternoons spent splashing in the cooling temperatures of the ocean.
It promises clam bakes, picnics and ice cream for breakfast.
It burns your skin, lightens your hair and lifts your mood.
It keeps you wondering what will tomorrow bring, and asks if the next day could possibly be any better than the present.
It has you wishing that you could freeze time and bottle those hours of sunshine and late nights under the …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
With all the commercials and department store displays advertising back to school, summer’s end is officially here. Instead of dreading the end of the season, here are 20 reasons to get excited for the return to campus.
While choosing which ice cream flavor to order is not exactly life altering, it is a …
One hundred years ago today, Julia Child was born. Once a typist working for the U.S. government, Julia became a culinary legend with the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. By introducing Americans to the French ways of cooking, Julia sparked conversations about how Americans eat, and thus propelled many into the kitchen. Meticulously researched and tested, Julia’s recipes are foolproof and palatable. With her unrelenting charm and unflappable demeanor, the French chef taught us lessons that extended beyond kitchen knife skills and chicken deboning. From making mistakes to never being afraid of sticks of butter, this …
During a period of my life, I had a fear of fat. When reading nutrition labels, the site of double digit fat grams or a high number of calories from fat made me cringe. So instead, I reached for non-fat calorie everything. Because it had no fat, I found it easy to rationalize eating an entire bag of gummy worms or containers of yogurt that tasted nothing like the “red velvet cake” flavor it advertised.
I felt as if fat was something to be avoided, something that was harmful to my body, something that had no reason for …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
Not only do the Olympics provide drama and incite patriotism, they also introduce us to very physically fit, and physically attractive athletes. One athlete making many girls swoon is U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte. While the chances of becoming his girlfriend are slim, a girl can still dream.
We all have ideas about the …
This post is part of the Food Matters Project, a cooking collaboration among participating bloggers. Each week, we will cook a recipe from Mark Bittman’s Food Matters Cookbook, which places an emphasis on mindful and sustainable eating. Follow along with us!
My room as a child was colored mint green. Before my arrival, my parents had decided not to find out whether I would be a “Peter” or a “Bethany,” so they went with a gender neutral green paint color for my nursery. However, the pink butterfly wallpaper suggests to me that they might have had a strong …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
If you are like most people, you have been glued to the TV at night and closely following the medal count for this year’s summer Olympics in London. Whether you are cheering on Michael Phelps in the pool or routing for Gabby Douglas on the balance beam, here is an easy guide for …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
Are you the type of person who longs for that cliché summer romance, only to be disappointed and single by the season’s end? Though your other single friends might try to tell you otherwise, being solo isn’t always as glamorous as the ladies of Sex and the City made it out to …
Imagine this scene for a moment: You are at a party or a bar with your friends when someone comes up to and tries to pick you up with the following line: “You’re as complete as quinoa.”
Regardless of the fact that the pick up line is already a lame attempt at getting your number, it is even more laughable when considering that only foodies would even understand it.
Those who are health-conscious, interested in nutrition or straight-up foodies will know the significance behind the completeness of quinoa. Considered by many to be an ultimate health food, quinoa is …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
Whether it’s Meg Ryan with her pastrami sandwich in When Harry Met Sally or Tom Hanks climbing the Space Needle in Sleepless in Seattle, we all have our list of favorite cheesy, and classic movie scenes that take our emotions on a roller coaster. In a tribute to Nora Ephron, the …
There are a lot of misconceptions about vegetarianism.
In basic terms, a vegetarian is someone who commits to a diet that does not include meat, poultry or fish. However, vegetarianism is more than simply substituting tofu and soy for meat products. It is a personal choice that might be based on religious, ethical, health or economic reasons. There are some who are more flexible in their food decisions and choose to eat fish on occasion (i.e. pescetarians) and others who are committed to a lifestyle in which they do not consume any animal products (i.e. vegans). Yet, no matter the …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
Although the Forth of July may be behind us, there is no reason you can’t deck yourself out in patriotic fashion. Celebrate America any day of the year with these festive red, white and blue looks.
If you’re like most people, you probably enjoyed some fireworks and a barbecue on Independence …
At this time of year, the last thing I want to do is turn on the stove. With temperatures around 100°F and a heat index between 110-115°F, even a hot and juicy grilled meal has little appeal to me. On days like these, I turn to my favorite pantry standby, pesto, for an easy no-stove required meal packed with flavor.
Pesto originates in Genoa, in the Italian region of Liguria. The name of the uncooked sauce comes from the Italian verb pestare, which means to pound, or to crush, a reference to the traditional mortar and pestle method …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
When the temperature rises, the last thing you ought to be wearing is dark hues. Learn how to wear one of the season’s hottest trend, colored shorts, for a chic and updated look for the summer heat.
Your makeup cabinet might be your first stop to update your look, but your …
Last week in Washington, DC the temperature peaked at 100 degrees. While that number is high enough as it is, the real temperature was probably closer to 105, considering the stickiness and unpleasantry provided by humidity.
When the sweat on my forehead makes it unbearable to sit outdoors for more than a few minutes and my feet begin to swell up while running errands on my internship, my mind thinks of only one thing: ice cream. I come to crave a crunchy cone with less than perfect packed scoops doused in sprinkles so that when the ice cream begins to …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
This week, temperatures up and down the East Coast soared, right on schedule for summer’s official arrival . Whether you were battling the 90+ degree weather, or enjoying more comfortable temperatures, remember these seven essentials when dressing for the season.
Since the heat can make running outside unbearable, consider riding a bike…
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
This Sunday is Father’s Day, and in celebration of the day, here are 20 reasons to be thankful for the men in our lives.
Unlike mothers who prefer to spend their day enjoying brunch, fathers enjoy summer-y, grilled fare on their day. Treat him to a barbecue without requiring him to lift …
1. Where is the birthplace of pizza?
2. Where is the birthplace of grilled pizza?
While many of you might think the answers are one in the same, it might surprise you to find that they’re not. Although pizza originated in Naples,Italy, its grilled cousin was invented on a completely different continent. In fact, its birthplace is in the capital city of the smallest state in America.
In 1980, Johanna Killeen and George Germon introduced the culinary world to the grilled pizza by accident. At their Providence, Rhode Island restaurant Al Forno, the chefs …
What do bad boys, Red Bulls and cookie dough all have in common? They all bad for us, but yet irresistible. Despite the risks of heartbreak, elevated heart rate and salmonella, we can’t help but stay away.
Just as we can admit to having fallen for the bad boy or consuming one too many caffeinated energy drinks during finals season, most of us are also guilty of having slipped our hands into a bowl of unbaked cookie dough. Even while aware of the dangers of eating raw eggs, the combination of sugar, butter and other pantry ingredients is difficult …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
Whether you are working at a fashion mag or bustling down the halls of Capitol Hill, here is an internship errand survival guide to make the best of the most monotonous tasks.
If you are an intern hoping for a promotion to a full-time position, then it is likely you will have …
While it might not be summer’s anthem, the Beatles song ”Strawberry Fields Forever” is a great tune to hum and sing in the midst of the summer heat. Whether roasted in the oven, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, scooped in an ice cream cone or simply hulled, strawberries are a summer refresher. The warmer temperatures from the year have given rise to an early start to the strawberry season, so why not experiment with the fruit by whipping up some of these sweet and savory dishes?
Bethany Imondi, a rising senior studying Government and English at Georgetown University, is ready …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
Earning a college diploma is one of life’s biggest milestones, but receiving a degree does not make you suddenly all-knowing. For recent post-grads, here are 10 pieces of advice for surviving life beyond the college campus.
With graduation also comes the packing of boxes and setting up arrangements for where to live …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of the summer. Whether at the beach, a family bbq or a three-day excursion, look great this weekend by wearing one of summer’s essential accessories: sunglasses. Protect your eyes from the sun with these chic and stylish shades for any face shape.
With the sun’s warm …
No that is not a typo; the title does say chocolate salami.
Wait, what? As in, chocolate meat?
No, silly, as in a chocolate dessert that resembles one of our favorite school lunch meats.
My first introduction to the sweet came during lunchtime while spending last spring semester abroad in Florence, Italy. When it came time for the dessert course, everyone in my program lined up to see what was to be enjoyed with our cups of espresso. Hopeful for a buttery tart with Nutella or a caffeinated layers of tiramisu, we were confused by the sight of a …
Like Cara, I’m not really good at surprises. Actually, I take that back. I’m good at surprises; I’m just not good at being surprised. Every year I hint to my friends that they should throw me a surprise party, but I’m still waiting for that moment of shock and awe that my friends were able to successfully keep something without me suspecting a thing.
That right there is the problem. I like to say that my inner journalist leads me to discover lots of things I shouldn’t, including uncovering secrets. Keeping secrets, however, is also one of my best …
Every week we give you the latest in college news, trends, and lifestyle tips. If you have anything juicy, make sure to post it here on the Small Kitchen College facebook page, and we’ll include it in next week’s edition.
–Bethany Imondi, Small Kitchen College Contributor.
**News**
With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, vacation season unofficially begins. Enjoy the long weekend by taking a three day getaway, using this advice to help make packing easier.
Whether you are a recent, soon to be, or further down the road graduate, now is the time to assert your independence …
Whether during an early break in the action or in the midst of the seventh inning stretch, belting out the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is a baseball tradition. Spurring the crowd to “root, root, root for the home team,” the song sums up well the baseball experience. Yet while it sings of the classic snacks of peanuts and cracker jacks, ballpark dining has undergone a revolution of sorts. Although these snacks remain staples, today’s parks offer the more adventurous and epicurean palates a diverse array of culinary options.
Even if hots dogs are the stereotypical …
As American farmer and social critic Wendell Berry once said, “Eating is an agricultural act.” In today’s society, where fast food restaurants sit on every corner and advertisements for microwaveable meals penetrate the airwaves, Barry’s words seem to have lost their luster. Identifying the true agricultural components of the food we consume each day has become an almost impossible feat.
Many remain ignorant of the behind-the-scenes life of the farms, factories and manufacturers that produce the items on their dinner plates. However, for those in search of greater consciousness about their food, consumers have turned to farmers markets, a niche …
This post is part of the Food Matters Project, a cooking collaboration among participating bloggers. Each week, we will cook a recipe from Mark Bittman’s Food Matters Cookbook, which places an emphasis on mindful and sustainable eating. Follow along with us!
When I initially signed up to put my spin on Vegetables au Vin with Coq, I am not sure what I was thinking. Perhaps I can blame it on my lack of French skills or my immediate observation of the word “vegetables,” but the word “coq” in the title didn’t register with me. Once I realized my …
I don’t typically like labels. Terms like hipster, prep, and feminist tend to stereotype and more often have negative connotations than say anything worthwhile about a fellow student.
Likewise, Vegetarians get a bad rap. When I told my sister that I was becoming a vegetarian she warned me against becoming a PETA worshipping pacifist who subsists on salads alone. Despite her concerns, I reassured her that nothing would be changing about me other than my diet. Rest assured, I said, she would not have to worry about me forgoing everything besides leafy greens or protesting fur fashion shows with a …
Well-known food writer Erma Bombeck once said, “Like religion, politics, and family planning, cereal is not a topic to be brought up in public. It’s too controversial.” How right she is!
Everyone seems to have his or her own cereal preferences for what makes the perfect bowl. I have always eaten my cereal dry (gasp, I know). I’m not lactose-intolerant, but no matter what brand I choose from the shelf, I prefer to eat my cereal sans milk. This habit has made for many awkward mornings waking up at sleepovers and explaining to my friends and their parents that I …
Last spring, I spent the semester living in the birthplace of the Renaissance: the city of Florence, Italy. My host mother was the sweetest, tiniest Italian woman, and, as could be expected, she was an incredible cook. At eight o’clock every evening, she would serve a delicious, two-course dinner beginning with some type of starch or grain, which was followed by a protein with assorted vegetables. Every meal at my host mom’s table reminded me of those Sunday mornings as a child spent with my Italian great grandmothers.
Although there were occasions when my host mother served something I …
SWEET: Nutella Truffles
MAIN INGREDIENT: Nutella
GREAT FOR: Potlucks, Bake Sales, Gifts
I have a confession to make: I do not like peanut butter. In fact, I detest peanut butter. Ever since I was a child I refused to allow my dad to pack me the cliché PB and J sandwich. Instead, I often requested simply a smear of jelly—only of the grape variety—between two slices of white bread. Of all my friends at the lunch table, I was the outlier.
For much of my childhood, eating anything with nuts, peanuts in particular, was something I cautiously avoided. That …
Dish: Potato Skins
Serves: 4
Good for: Super Bowl Sunday
Shopping List: 4 medium potatoes, russet or sweet ($2.90/$3.28); 4-5 slices of bacon $1.10; 1 cup of cheddar cheese $0.94;
1/2 cup sour cream $0.99; 2 teaspoons of chopped chives $.15
Pantry Items: Olive Oil, Salt, Salsa (optional)
Total Cost: $6-7
If there is any day meant to be spent sitting on the couch for an extended period of time, Super Bowl Sunday is it. Although it is not officially a holiday, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. With most of the action coming …
If you were to ask around for a restaurant recommendation in Providence, Rhode Island, chances are high that you will be directed towards Al Forno. Regarded as the birthplace of the grilled pizza in America, Al Forno dishes up creative, high quality Italian cuisine in the Ocean State’s capital. While the restaurant’s pizzas and made-to-order desserts are extraordinary, its baked pastas are indulgent and incredibly satisfying.
Al Forno’s baked pasta dishes vary depending on the season, but most are prepared with heavy cream and multiple cheeses, sometimes up to five, and then baked in the baked oven. What …
Photo Credit: Isabella Cucchi
Last week, resolutions were all the buzz. But today, a week into the new year? Internet crickets. When the calendar changed from 2011 to 2012, many of us told ourselves that this new year would be different from the last. Time to finally start and stick to that diet; time to forget that guy who broke our heart six months ago; and time to get a 4.0 GPA in our classes. While there is nothing wrong with setting the bar high when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, the unfortunate reality is that many …
Founded in 1751, Georgetown is the oldest neighborhood in the nation’s capital. With its cobblestone streets and trolley car rails, Georgetown combines old-time charm with quaintness and wealth. But while the centuries-old architecture remains mostly unchanged, the neighborhood is one of the most thriving, affluent areas in the district. Home to many prominent past and present figures, including Julia Child, former President John F. Kennedy, and current Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, the area is well-known for its million-dollar plus town houses. Although it lacks its own metro station, Georgetown’s shopping on Wisconsin and M Streets is reminiscent of …
Four years ago during a high school trip to New York City I stood in Rockefeller Center shivering from the cold. As my sister and I managed to stop shaking long enough to pose for a few pictures in front of the famous Christmas tree, a town car pulled up unexpectedly. When two women exited the vehicle, there was a sense of disappointment that we did not meet the gaze of a famous artist or actor. However, upon closer inspection, a smile grew on my face.
“That’s the Barefoot Contessa!” I squealed to my sister.
“Really? Where?” she asked.
“Who?” …
We all have those moments; two papers due, an entire book to read by Monday and a presentation to prepare when you suddenly remember your promise to bake for one of your many extracurricular activities. In times like these it can be very difficult to whip up something spectacular from scratch, thus forcing us to reach for the boxed mix of brownies and call it a day. While there is nothing wrong with this, here are a few easy and fast ways to transform those brownies from ordinary to extraordinary. With the addition of simple ingredients to the mix, you can trick anyone into thinking your homework took a back seat to your baking.
There is nothing better than waking up in the morning to the aroma of warm cinnamon buns baking in the oven. The unmistakable scent of cinnamon is intoxicating, and its warming powers make it such a comforting spice. During the holiday season, cinnamon spends more time off the spice rack than it does the rest of the year. But don’t let the snowy weather be your only excuse for cinnamon’s touch.
Cinnamon is slowly gaining a reputation as one of the healthiest spices on the shelf. Recent studies have suggested the spice’s power to reduce cholesterol, regulate blood sugar and …
I have always had a very singular family living arrangement. From my front window, I can see each of the houses of my grandma, my aunt and her husband and my three cousins, my uncle, and my cousin with her husband and two daughters. With such close proximity to my family, seeing them is an easy as taking a 30-second walk down the street. Yet, despite our closeness, getting everyone together is quite the challenge.
When I was younger, Thanksgiving represented one of the few times of the year when everyone on the street, plus the rest of the extended …
Julia Child once said, “Everything in moderation… including moderation.” While Julia meant this as a manta for everyday life, her words are perfect advice for those worried about the impending Thanksgiving holiday. With only a week to go, it is easy to become overwhelmed with thoughts of indulgence. Turkey and gravy, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie are not exactly the lightest fare; however, since such great food rarely makes its presence on the table, now is the time to enjoy the classic foods of the season. Really.
I admit that I am one of those people who look forward to fall as much for all the pumpkin treats as I do the changing of the leaves. Whether it is in a chai latte or in a piece of moist bread, I have a hard time saying no to anything with “pumpkin” in its title.
However, there are times when I want something warm and pumpkin-y that is not in caffeinated form or in a muffin the size of my head. Lately, I have been craving something savory that will comfort me on those nippy, late nights …
**Giveaway Closed - 11/1/11**
Jessie Oleson and I could be best friends. We both are obsessed with sweets; we both could eat dessert any time of the day; and we both hate to see any desserts go uneaten. Where Jessie and I differ, however, is our dessert imagination. While the majority of my treat ideas have remained sweet dreams, Jessie, aka Cakespy, is not afraid to transform such dreams into reality.
Author of the blog Cakespy, Jessie has become renowned on the blogosphere for indulging our collective fantasies with mouth-watering, over the top recipes. Now with the release of …
My mom is an accountant. All day at work she stares at spreadsheets, calculating numbers and making sure everything is in order. If one number is wrong, then she risks drawing incorrect conclusions. Because of her job’s strong emphasis on numerical accuracy, for a long time she avoided the kitchen. As an accountant, she had this idea in her head that anytime she cooked from a recipe she had to follow it to a T. This meant dirtying multiple measuring containers, buying the exact listed ingredients and avoiding any recipes with complicated directions or unfamiliar items. As a result, simple things like chicken fingers, hot dogs and tacos dominated the family menu.
If someone were ever to examine at my credit card bill, she would assume I was either Carrie Bradshaw or Giada de Laurentis. Shopping for shoes and food are two of my favorite things. Whether trying on ballet flats or exploring the cheese case at the market, I tend to get very excited and thus hand over my credit card having paid little attention to the price tags. It isn’t usually until the end of the month when I see my billing statement that I reconsider my spending.
Although my shoe habit cannot be contained, I have remedied my grocery store bills by making the simple switch to generic. While we all wish we could stock our pantries universally with high-quality ingredients, the unfortunate reality is that college budgets make it nearly impossible. Buying generic ingredients and getting creative with them in the kitchen is an easy way to save money.
In college, students do a lot of reading. From Aristotle to the Founding Fathers to Adam Smith, we spend a good deal of time turning pages and highlighting important facts worth remembering. Yet, there is something we very rarely take the time to read and consider: nutrition labels’ serving sizes.
For many of us, college eating typically fits into three categories: on the go-dining, all-you-can-eat cafeteria-style dining, or eat-what-we-cook-ourselves dining. While they are each very different, there is a common bond among them that makes it difficult for students to recognize what constitutes as a proper serving of food.
Dining …
Earlier this year I had the amazing opportunity to spend my Spring semester studying in Florence, Italy. After spending my Sundays as a child visiting my Italian great grandparents and four+ years of studying the language, I anxiously waited for the day when I could visit the nation of my ancestors and put all my years of study to practice on the streets. Even more, I looked forward to the chance to live in the country whose cuisine I worshipped.
I knew before I even left the United States that concerns about the scale would be left at home. …
Granola is one of those pseudo-health foods that you try to justify eating by the handful because of its ingredients. Made mostly of rolled oats, nuts and dried fruits, it begs the question: where is the danger?
While granola may seem harmless, the reality is that many packaged mixes are calorie-dense, fat-heavy products. The addition of lots of sugar and unnameable preservatives results in a mixture less wholesome than many presume. When craving a crunchy topping for yogurt or as a quick snack on the go, the best way to ensure the natural, healthiness of granola is to prepare it …
At least once or twice a week, I go food shopping. While some might imagine me pushing a cart through the aisles of a grocery store, these weekly trips take place in my dining hall. With Tupperware and plenty of zip-lock bags in tow, I scan through the buffet and the salad bar selections of the cafeteria to see what items I can smuggle outside the door in order to whip up creative, healthy meals in the comfort of my own kitchen.
Although I have heard stories about students who managed to leave Georgetown’s dining hall with a panini grill, …
Earlier last week I had one of those days. My heart felt broken, my eyes could not stay awake and no amount of caffeine could break me from my slump. As the day went on, the jingle of a popular blue box of macaroni and cheese came into my head. With the words, ” I’ve got the blues” playing in my head, I began craving a rich, indulgent cure for my heartache. Rather than succumbing to the blue box, I searched through my food blogs to find a recipe that would distract me long enough in the kitchen. Once …
It is that time of year again: the time when we pack up our lives into boxes, debate what gets to stay and what has to go, and make shopping lists for all the things to buy for a new year at college.
Although items like extra-long twin sheets and shower caddies rank high on the list, kitchen items are equally essential for college students. For the times when the monotony of campus food-thedining hall or take-out-sets in, cooking for oneself is the perfect antidote. Whether you are living in an apartment or sharing a kitchen with a hundred of …
Every Sunday when I was younger my dad would pack my sister and me in the car and drive us to spend our morning visiting my Italian grandparents. Upon arrival at each of their homes, I was spoiled with some of the most delicious Italian treats: homemade pizza, meatballs and gravy (that’s red sauce to those who don’t know), egg biscuits and so much more. At the time I gobbled everything up, thinking everything was prepared special for my arrival.
As I got older I realized regardless of whether I was visiting or not, my Italian grandparents were always cooking …
I had a friend in high school who was the pickiest eater I have ever met. Anytime we ordered pizza as a group hers had to be topped with cheese, nothing else. At restaurants, she never strayed from ordering a classic grilled cheese sandwich or chicken fingers. With her limitations, ethnic restaurants were off-limits. On the rare occasions when we dared to coax her into trying something new, we inevitably failed.
When I first met this friend in middle school I thought it was just a phase. At the time, it did not seem as awkward to still be …
At this time of year, there is nothing I enjoy more than spending my weekend mornings browsing the stalls of the farmers’ markets and sampling the bounty of the summer harvest. Right now, I am hooked on the luscious peaches piled high. Whether it is a yellow peach or a white, each bite delivers sweetness that would rival even the most decadent desserts. With juice dripping from my hands, my tour of the market usually concludes with enough peach samples to equal at least two whole fruits.
When the peaches do find their way into my bag and ultimately a …
As a child, the official arrival of summer meant, first and foremost, the arrival of cherry tomatoes. Set with the task of picking the summer’s bounty from my aunt’s gardens, my cousins and I would run up the hill of the yard to the neat rows of tomato vines. Using our short arms, we would scour the plants for the ripest tomatoes of the bunch. There never seemed to be an occasion when I could pass up sampling the homegrown produce. Though I always tried to sneak my samples, inevitably, my crime was always known when I returned home with …
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The BGSK Book
