TikTok Cookbook Authors

Three years ago, B. Dylan Hollis was an unemployed musician in Wyoming who had never baked anything outside a home-economics class, much less written a recipe. Last month, his debut cookbook, “Baking Yesteryear,” became the best-selling book in the country. Not just the best-selling cookbook — the No. 1 book. “Baking Yesteryear,” which features vintage…

Discovering Albania’s Timeless Vjosa River

“Farmers here are the caretakers of culture,” said Ms. Bejo, who acts as Albanik’s gardener, concierge, yoga instructor and hiking guide. “It’s important that the families with endurance — those who stayed in the valley instead of leaving — are shown appreciation as the economy shifts to tourism.” My initial hike was a moderate one…

The Joy (and Friendly Jostling) of Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is a West African dish made with rice, tomatoes, onions, lots of peppers and lots of spice. Nigerians prepare it differently from Ghanaians, who make it differently from Liberians. There are versions from Senegal, Cameroon and Sierra Leone. The debate over which is superior is always passionate, sometimes deadly serious. Each one is…

The Stoic in the Bedroom

“Absolutely not,” I told my husband from the bed as he tried to find the right place on his dresser for Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. “I don’t need him staring at me all night.” The bust was the size of a child’s head and made of white alabaster. Marcus was frozen in an expression heavy with…