Politics, Food. Mostly.

I love the moment when bread first comes out of the oven. The kitchen is hot and filled with the smell of it and, for just a little while, the loaf makes a tiny crackling sound, as if it is resting, at last, after a day and a night of effort.

I made this loaf last week, from an old Jeffrey Steingarten recipe. I was saying goodbye to a friend, someone I doubt I’ll see again. I wanted to make her something delicious, to end things on a tasty note.

I hope she enjoyed it.