Our local Fareway store has an old-fashioned butcher department, with very helpful staff and, I have discovered, ground pork that is both lean and often on sale. Even at its regular price, it is almost always far more reasonable than ground beef here. After I had decided to make cassoulet for guests, I discovered that…

Now into December, the “pumpkin spice” lattes and bagels (and more) have mostly been replaced in coffee shops and Trader Jo’s with wintry peppermint treats. Still, today I was in the mood for the warm and cozy fragrances I remember from my mother’s kitchen on gray fall and winter days like the weather we’ve been…