Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

What makes a great bar is ... you, Michael Neff. I frequent the Rum House often and I love it there, probably excessively. But one night we stopped in to Ward III, and you personally gave me the warmest smile. It was so obvious how genuine you are and how you have the right disposition about your work. Serious enough, but never pretentious. Happy holidays, and thank you!

With bread and cheese, but that is boring. With eggs, or on toast with goat cheese and fig butter.

My husband and I had a Hanukah party once, and we made international latkes. Regular, Indian-spiced, and sweet potato/walnut/sage. Because of being with good friends, those were the best. And the frying made my house smell like a heavenly holiday diner. For a week.

Sugar snap peas, for how they climb and how great they taste fresh-picked.

The vegetarian version of KFC's Double-Down: Two slices of deep fried eggplant with roasted peppers, olives, cukes, and Sultan Sauce (hummus).

This is my first Superbowl not living in the 'Burgh ... of course, I'll be rooting the Steelers to their 7th championship!

I feel compelled to add to the crescendo of voices that are defending Mile End's utterly delectable smoked meat sandwich. By all means though, stay away from this gem of a deli...shorter waits for the rest of us!

confited, or crispy with Thai curry.

My mother! I remember distinct things like the way she would level off the baking powder and then wiggle the knife around to spread it out instead of dumping it in.

Truffle in a pate at Luke in New Orleans, and also truffle oil popcorn! That idea was from Sally Schneider when she appears on the Splendid Table, and I made it for an Oscar party.

The last summer BLT I made while living in Pittsburgh, with heirloom tomatoes and local bread :)

The Commodore!

Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory family.