Ah, the fake news outlet known as the New York Times has NOT come to understand that I am NOT willing to shell out $25 a month for a subscription (is that a double negative?) The wealth & breath of journalism at the NYT is unsurpassed—so many worlds to explore in dazzling digital formats. So, each time my introductory annual subscription ends, I cancel.  Later I sign up again for $4 a month, and I do not feel that to be unethical (I could be wrong).

This time I did raise the bar with the “All Access” option at $5 a month, mostly for the NYT Cooking App. It is insanely expensive to eat out in Pacific Grove these days. On the days I work from home, I am going to try a few new recipes from this seemingly infinite source of amazing food.

First Challenge: Try choosing from 50 different meatball recipes. I opted for Meatballs Stroganoff. No sour cream in this recipe: plain yogurt, nutmeg, sherry wine, parsley, tomato paste, onion and garlic bring out an intense favor in these meaty balls that are rolled in paprika before browning. Add some sautéed mushrooms and onion and steamed organic spinach with a fine red wine for a quarter of the price of eating out—with leftovers to boot. Life is good.