In Guatemala I came to realize that I could depend on encountering particular things while in the land of the eternal spring. Orchids growing on city trees, dozens of air…
Couchsurfing in Miami to Papa a la Huancaina
Excitement about a new trip and nostalgia for past couch queries were two sides of the same coin when I opened Couchsurfing’s search page this spring. Upon friends’ urging I…
Megatrip to Nashville and the Most Megadelicious Buttermilk Biscuit
On the third day of summer I set out into the woods. Driving east of Nashville, we tallied six girls intent upon swimming at Burgess Falls. The ride was filled…
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…
The Hidden Jewel of Canadian Food
Lately, I have been cooking up kale like the sun is about to set on leafy greens. However, as winter is still quite lionesque in Chicago and not yet getting…
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…
Ambato! The Place You’ll Go (and Eat Figs)
When you think “fall”, do you think “figs”? I didn’t either until I recently discovered this sumptuous fruit in the grocery store across the street from my office in the…