INITIALLY SPEAKING
In the 1980’s Larry Hagman played a Texas oil man known by these initials.
J. R. (Ewing) from the TV show Dallas
November 3 is the national day to celebrate this, be it tuna fish or peanut butter & jelly
Sandwich Day
In the winter, some animals enter this dormant state in which body temperature lowers & breathing & heart rate slow down
hibernation
This flat unleavened bread, traditionally made from finely ground corn, has been a Mexican staple food since before the 13th century.
Tortilla
Oh come on! If a Pixar rodent can make this eggplant, tomato, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, garlic & herbs dish, you can too!
ratatouille
What do the initials AA mean to a William Faulkner fan? And what do the same letters mean to a person who is addicted to liquor?
Absalom! Absalom! (Faulkner); Alcoholics Anonymous (Liquor)
Confederate Heroes Day is celebrated January 19, the birthday of this general
Robert E. Lee
Animals like frogs that can live on land or water are known as these, from the Greek for "both" & "life"
an amphibian
Hummus, one of the world’s oldest foods, can be traced back to ancient Egypt. What is the main ingredient of hummus?
Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)
I told you to nuke this pasta staple from Campbell's that first hit shelves in 1965 for 2 minutes! Why on earth did you say "Uh-oh"?!
SpaghettiOs
He is the only US president with the middle initial M.
Richard Milhous Nixon
Appropriately, National Stress Awareness Day is observed on this date, one day after "Tax Day"
April 16
In 1996 one of these named Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell
a sheep
The classic version of this rich Sicilian pastry is filled with sweetened ricotta cheese.
Cannoli
Whether the second part of its name is "chuck" or "rump", this dish needs to cook an hour per pound & the old folks start ordering it at 5:00 P.M.
pot roast
In 2005, this movie, with the initials G.N.A.G.L, focused on Ed Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Good Night and Good Luck
Dictionary Day, October 16, celebrates the birthday of this American lexicographer;
look it up!
Noah Webster
As part of metamorphosis, some caterpillars create this "C" structure similar to a cocoon & live in it until their next phase
a chrysalis
Quiche Lorraine is a specific type of quiche that contains egg, cream, onions, and which two other main ingredients?
Bacon and Cheese
I need this Italian rice specialty alla milanese! Stir hot stock in a mix of onions & rice... when the rice is al dente, you're done!
risotto
What do the letters ERA mean to a baseball player? And what do the same letters mean to a feminist?
Earned Run Average (Baseball); Equal Rights Amendment (Feminist)
This date on which WWII ended in Europe is a legal holiday in France
May 8, 1945
The 2 strands of this stuff that codes genetic information are said to resemble a twisted ladder
DNA
Paella (pronounced pie•EH•ya), which traditionally contains mussels, lobster, shrimp, cuttlefish, and rice, is often considered the unofficial national dish of this country.
Spain
I said use 1.5 lbs. of white button mushrooms for the duxelles, a 3-pound tenderloin & puff pastry to make "Beef" this! Gogogo!
Wellington