I was chatting with my folks last night, and mentioned that Costco was stocking La Dolce Vita biscotti—a family favorite—again. The stuff comes in a giant plastic tub with a screw-on lid (it is Costco, after all), and is delightfully crunchy.

Dad immediately got up, rummaged around in the pantry, and pulled out the biscotti that they had already bought. He then told me that the secret to biscotti was giving the lid an extra eighth of a turn beyond the point where you would generally consider the lid tight.

The reason why? That makes the lid tight enough that my mom can’t open it.

Dad then put the container under his arm and stroked it, saying “It’s OK now; you’re safe.”

…