Piñones, oh pine nuts!

The first time my neighbor spoke to me on the plane was during our descent into Albuquerque.  “That’s the Rio Grande,” she said as we flew over a twisting river….

Holy Juice Batman!

Everybody’s trying to be environmentally conscious and healthy these days, right?  Talking about things like the green movement (just saw an awesome performance touching on that: Marc Bamuthi Joseph/The Living…

Cheers for empanadas

Chicago rooftop empanada Empanadas are not generally associated with death. However, on my way to the grocery store to buy discos para empanadas I found out that a family member…

Hot Chocolate in a Cheesy Way

We’re a week into a freakishly warm February, and your wall calendar or planner (hope you read the Go Girl Gift Guide!) indicates that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. …

The Best Ceviche of My Life

According to my Italian-American grandmother, it’s tradition to eat seven types of seafood on Christmas Eve, the feast of the seven fishes.  This year on Christmas Eve I had a…

Basque in the Glory of Free Cauliflower

                                                                                                                                  Photo credit A Fuego Negro I never anticipated recreating classy Basque pintxos with donated food in the cavernous kitchen of my Chicago apartment (In fact, two and a half…