I have had a fair number of crushes in my life.   Crushes are pretty harmless at my age, but they do add a little spice to my life.

My latest crush is a fifty-four-year-old named Sam Sifton. I have never seen him.  He writes a column called “What to Cook” in The New York Times a couple of times a week.  Although I often try his recipes, what I really like is his style.  It feels like we are having a conversation.  He shares bits about his life like how hard it has been being home full-time during the pandemic, how not being able to go out to dinner or cook for lots of friends is a bummer.  He’ll comment on what’s going on in the world.

Every Wednesday, he urges his readers to cook without a real recipe, although he will suggest the basic ingredients.

Of course, I bought his new cookbook, The New York Times No-Recipe Recipes Cookbook.   What I like about it is there are no teaspoons or cups to measure.  Ingredients are only suggestions.  It has helped me to be more creative in the kitchen.

My new crush has spiced up my life.