I am so very, very, very hungry. I’m running a half marathon this coming Saturday so have been training to get ready for it. Long runs, though, mean my appetite skyrockets and all I can think about is how much I love food. So, the driving lesson column I had intended for this week will have to wait. Instead, in keeping with my ravenous mindset, I thought I would rank my Favorite Foods Ever and see if you agree.

First stop, the broader categories:

FAVORITE FOOD IN THE WORLD

Cheese

SECOND FAVORITE

Bread

MEAL I COULD EAT OVER AND OVER IF ONLY ALLOWED ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE

Homemade pizza. Pepperoni and mushroom, please, sir

FAVORITE FANCY MEAL THAT’S RIDICULOUSLY EASY TO MAKE

Standing rib roast with Yorkshire pudding

FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD MEAL

Hamburger and onion rings

FOLLOWED BY

Macaroni and cheese

 

The healthy category:

FAVORITE VEGGIE

Cauliflower

FAVORITE WAY TO PREPARE IT

Roasted

FAVORITE FRUIT

Tomato

FAVORITE FRUIT THAT SEEMS LIKE A FRUIT

Strawberries if in season. Otherwise, pass.

FAVORITE HEALTHY MEAL

Lettuce wraps with sushi rice, tofu, and soy, ginger, garlic and rice vinegar dressing

FAVORITE SOUP

Beet and beef borscht with sour cream

FAVORITE SALAD

Who cares

 

On to chicken:

FAVORITE KIND

Fried. Hello.

SECOND FAVORITE

Saltimbocca with prosciutto and mozzarella

FAVORITE CHICKEN MEMORY

My mom sprinkling Lowry’s seasoning salt on chicken breasts before roasting them in a cast-iron skillet

FAVORITE TIME TO HAVE CHICKEN

Cold winter’s night

FAVORITE WAY TO USE CHICKEN LEFTOVERS

Chicken potpie with cheddar biscuit crust

SECOND FAVORITE

Sandwiches with lots of Hellman’s

 

Favorite food to eat in London, Ky.:

FAVORITE SUB

Mama Rosa’s meatball sub. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

FAVORITE SALAD

Dino’s Greek salad with chicken

FAVORITE SALAD BAR

Frisch’s. Best coupled with fried fish sandwich.

LONDON MEAL I MISS THE MOST

Burger Boy

FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD MEAL

Homecooker Truck Stop. Cannot believe how much I love this place.

 

Now, for festive:

BEST HALLOWEEN CANDY

Reese’s peanut butter cups, full size, none of that mini nonsense

HOLIDAY WITH THE BEST FOOD

Thanksgiving

FAVORITE DISH AT THANKSGIVING

Mashed potatoes and gravy

FAVORITE HOLIDAY COOKIE

Thumbprint with raspberry jam

FAVORITE FANCY HOLIDAY FOOD TRADITION

Schwartz’s smoked salmon, cream cheese and bagels on Christmas morning

FAVORITE PEASANT FOOD HOLIDAY TRADITION

Perogies with bacon, onions and sour cream

 

I’ll have dessert, please:

FAVORITE CAKE

Carrot

FAVORITE COOKIE

Chocolate chip

DESSERT I MAKE MOST OFTEN AT DINNER PARTIES

Pots de crème

DESSERT I LOVE NOW, BUT HATED AS A KID

Sticky toffee pudding

FAVORITE KIND OF CHOCOLATE BAR

Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut

FAVORITE CANADIAN CHOCOLATE BAR

Coffee Crisp

BEST “LOW CALORIE” CHOCOLATE BAR

PEP patties

BECAUSE

They only have 140 calories. Wow.

 

I could go on and on like this, but that had better do it for now. Can’t say this has helped me restrain my appetite, but just writing about food has somehow been soothing. Now, let’s eat!