OBSESSIONS

WHAT WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS MONTH.

EAT

BOSS BBQ SAUCE

HANNAFORD TASTE OF INSPIRATIONS

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? There are lots of choices when it comes to barbecue sauce. Every region has its own distinct flavor (Memphis, Kansas City, Carolina), and then there are some that don’t even look like they belong (I’m nuts for Moe’s Original BBQ’s Alabama-style white BBQ sauce). I love trying all the different styles. My husband and I have often talked about spending our retirement traveling around to different food festivals and taste-testing barbecue from around the country.

In that spirit, I recently picked up a bottle of Taste of Inspirations’ Boss BBQ Sauce. I’ll be honest, my choice was mostly based on the cool name — and it did not disappoint. I used it to pep up a batch of somewhat-bland homemade pulled pork, and it worked wonders. It’s a St. Louis-style sauce (fun fact: St. Louis barbecue sauce is almost the same as Kansas City, but includes vinegar which makes it less sweet and more thin and tangy) that’s just the right amount of spicy. I think the wow-factor comes from the addition of pineapple juice, which kicks up the flavor (along with a little pepper for heat) and gives it just the right balance of sweet and tart. I’m looking forward to trying this tasty sauce on ribs, chicken and whatever else we throw on the grill this spring!

—AMY ALLEN

SHOP

MISFITS MARKET

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I first joined Misfits Market, an online mail order service for food, just before the pandemic hit. The service worked for us, providing bi-weekly shipments of a surprise assortment of fruits and veggies. But, eventually I canceled in favor of summer farmers’ markets and our own kitchen garden. Lately though, with the price of groceries rising, I’ve rejoined and found that Misfits Market has made some excellent changes in the ensuing time. These days, it operates more like a grocery order service. Order as little or as much as you want (provided that you hit the $30 minimum). Choose from veggies, fruits, proteins, pantry items and bakery goods. There’s even a wine addon now. So far, so good. The prices are competitive (and sometimes much better than the grocery store), the shipment arrives reliably each week. And if I don’t want to order, I just don’t add anything to my cart. No pressure. My grocery spending already seems a little less, so this is one service I will continue using.

— SARAH WALKER CARON

READ

Every month, many new books cross my desk. I purchase even more. Here’s one that I particularly enjoyed and recommend.

“CLEAN AIR” BY SARAH BLAKE — Decades after a climate apocalypse killed many people and thrust the world into a new age where breathing is something that has to be carefully managed, a serial killer has emerged, murdering by exposing unsuspecting families to the air outside. Just when the world has begin shifting from survival back to thriving, this creates fear and upset — and a young mother is consumed with understanding. What’s driving the killer to do what they do? Why now? This thrilling post-apocalyptic book has rich character development, strong imagery and a storyline that will keep you turning page after page. (ADULT FICTION)

— SARAH WALKER CARON

PLAY

SPIRITFARER

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Spiritfarer is an indie video game where you play as Stella, a cheery Charon ferrying departed souls around on an ever-growing ark to care for them and help them achieve closure before they are brought to rest. It may sound dark, but it’s weirdly soothing, and the animation is beyond beautiful. I highly recommend it for all ages.

— SAM SCHIPANI