All About Salsa: "On its global journey, salsa as it is actually made in Mexico often became lost."

Fatty 'Cue in Brooklyn: Fatty 'Cue will serve "smoking pork loin brined in Indonesian bay leaf, lamb ribs marinated in a fermented shrimp sauce called cincalo" and "wagyu brisket with chili jam."

Yogurt Cheese: Greek yogurt is yogurt from which much of the water has been removed, and it makes great dips.

Three Stars: Tom Colicchio is back in the kitchen at Colicchio & Sons; and according to Sam Sifton, it's a delicious homecoming.

Bargains of the Loire Valley: Reds from this region are lively, fresh, and underappreciated.

Gadgets: New kitchen toys let you "cook" by pressing a button.

Bake Sales Banned: New York City Schools prohibit selling baked goods; fresh fruits and veggies and packaged foods are allowed.

All Meatballs: The menu at The Meatball Shop on the Lower East Side is all about ground meat.

Anella: The chef Joseph Ogrodnek works magic with root vegetables and bakes bread in flowerpots at this Greenpoint spot.

Food Stuff: A bomboloni shop on the west side; Bissinger's sells wonderful chocolate-covered dried wine grapes; Bixi Bixia sauce features the pungent piment d'Espelette chili; Le Cendrillon, a goat cheese from Quebec, has a satiny texture.