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The Greek Gods Plain

If your people like Italian food (who doesn't?) try Marcellos on Roosevelt Ave. in North Seattle. Best Italian food in Seattle, a hidden gem, to use an overused phrase. And the atmosphere is perfect for a rehearsal dinner.

Panuchos and salbutes are everywhere in the Yucatan. A friend of mine who's from there took us all over the peninsula and frequently stopped for a bite or two of the snack at roadside stands and markets. Chicken is a common topping, but it's turkey that's traditional. I like mine topped with a bit of shredded cabbage too. Thanks for the culinary reminder of a great locale.

ribeye

My favorite cheesecake to make for the holidays is this Spiced Eggnog Cheesecake.
It's so easy to make, looks pretty, tastes great and cooks very nicely.

I like apple pie, too. It goes with everything. By the way, Gourmet.com has two new videos today about how to make and roll out traditional pie pastry. For those who've never done it before, it's good instruction.

I have had the privilege of visiting a Wegmans in NJ and it was beautiful. It reminded me of my favorite grocery store on earth, Central Market, in Shoreline, WA, (pretty much Seattle) not Texas. The produce/meat department takes up what seems to be half of the store. Here's what I love about it: every veggie and fruit you could ask for, low prices, high quality, bulk foods, a wine expert, prosciutto you can read through, bins of clams and mussels, cheese, Japanese candy ... and toilet paper too.
If only I didn't now live three hours from it.

These cookies, from last year's Dec. Gourmet cookie issue are great. I didn't do the gilding, who would?

A ripe peach. A big, sweet, cool, juicy peach from the family fruit stand. Problem is, I've had so many, I don't remember the best one. I can't count the number of times my chin has dripped with sweet peach nectar. Made you jealous, huh?

One of my favorite ways to eat cactus paddles, known as nopalitos to those familiar with Mexican cuisine, is to use the canned stuff (found in the Mexican food aisle of a well-stocked grocery store), drain it, and mix it with a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise. Canned nopalitos come cut into strips and are a bit spicy because there's a jalapeño or two canned with them. Few snacks hit the spot like a jar of nopalitos with mayo.

Those are fantastic (and cute)!

In Japan it got to eat natto, fermented soybean goo, with mustard. It's not bad. Very nutty. I was told it's a health food in there.