Chocolate Chip Cookies for Everyone

In July 2009, The Times ran an article by David Leite, a cookbook author and food writer, that chronicled his quest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. The recipe he developed as a result of his deep dive into flour types, hydration periods, chocolate percentages and salt ratios is loosely adapted from Jacques Torres, the…

‘At Least I Got You a Gift’

I am a female college student in my first year. My boyfriend is a classmate. We’ve been going out for six months. (Yay!) He’s great. But for Valentine’s Day, he gave me a $50 gift certificate to Panera. (A sandwich shop — really? Where’s the romance?) I waited a few days before I told him…

Women-Powered Weddings on Rise

For many couples who are planning a wedding, vendor selection is a key part of what brings their vision to life. They are searching for vendors who share their style, amicable personalities and work ethic. But for Maya Kachroo-Levine, 28, and Wyatt Cain, 29, who are getting married May 2, 2020 in San José del…

The Agriculture Queens of Louisiana

This year in Louisiana, more than 120 pageant queens will be crowned in honor of crops and commodities, as they have been for some 70 years. The queens are young women, ages 17 through 23, who have studied to compete at agricultural festivals for titles including Miss Shrimp and Petroleum, Miss Oyster, Miss Frog Festival,…