Babies, I have determined, are perhaps the best drug on Earth. In their presence — with just one whiff of sticky-milk cheeks, a gentle raking of fingers through downy soft hair, the trill of a new voice finding new volumes — time both stands still and speeds up, a pinwheel turning wildly in the wind. Your own future becomes both vastly clear and deliriously blurred. Those newborn nights you were certain would never end; the physical pain of complete and total exhaustion that you thought you were prepared for, you silly goose now hardly more than a “remember when…” in the wake of … Read More
charbroiled lemongrass chicken + tamago banh mi tacos with five spice mayo

Gonna keep things simple today because we’re off to spend a long weekend with ye’ old granfolksies and homie needs to pack up all the shit that apparently is required for a 13-lb human to function. Oh, ok — to function in style. But it’s a lot of shit, you guys. And that’s not even counting the actual, um, shit. Which is surprisingly unshitty. Wow, really getting you revved up for tacos, aren’t I? Rewind. It’s no secret I love tacos. Or even, specifically, fusion tacos. It’s also no secret I love banh mi. As Joey Tribbiani wold say, put your … Read More
salted chocolate cracker crack (saltine toffee) with roasted almonds

Someone please tell me: how are we on the heels of August already? How can it be that I’ve not yet witnessed a single one of summer’s silk scarf sunsets for myself? More broadly: where have my evenings gone? I won’t for a minute complain that our darling bug takes her bath, like clockwork, at 6:30 every night and is snoozing peacefully by 8. Nor would I trade that solid hour plus of sleepytime snuggles for the sun glinting rosy on an emptying wine glass — but if I could just have my cake and eat it, too, as the … Read More
spicy caramelized spam + scallion pasta

You know those foods you can’t help but eat on repeat? Those (often pantry-based) dishes that you come back to again and again, even when the fridge is freshly stocked and the cooler weather is begging you to finally crank the oven and get creative? If you know me, you know I’m talking hot dog sammiches, breakfast for dinner, stick-to-your ribs soup. Yes, soup. Even in the summer I can’t get enough. And this pasta. You guysssss, I can’t oversell this pasta enough — and trust me, I’m about to try. It’s fast, simple and positively addictive. Topped generously with furikake, … Read More
blueberry key lime cheesecake tart with gingersnap crust

Hi guys! Just a quick one this week because the long weekend beckons! Around here, that means firing up the grill, strolling the streets of the Peninsula’s many charming downtowns and farmer’s marketing until we can’t take it any more. We’re also keeping up the tradition of mixing a little Ohio into our 4th of July weekend — although this year, Ohio is coming to us in the form of my bestie, Amanda. It’ll be her first time snuggling the bug in person and I have a feeling seeing two of my favorite people ever meet face to face will have this … Read More

