February 8, 2023

Title: HIDDEN TATTOOS

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

WHAT A TREAT (17A: "Such an unexpected delight!")

JUST A THOUGHT (27A: "I was simply putting it out there")

GET A TOEHOLD (60A: Make some initial progress)

Theme synopsis: HIDDEN in each theme answer, we find the letter string T-A-T spanning the three words.

Things I learned:

• EELS (54A: Nagayaki fish) Unadon is a dish in Japanese cuisine consisting of steamed white rice topped with grilled unagi (freshwater EELS) in a sweetened soy-based sauce. Nagayaki is a variation of unadon in which the EELS are grilled whole, and served separately from the rice.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• OREO (16A: Cookie in a grasshopper pie recipe) and ONION SOUP (34D: The French version is topped with toasted bread and melted cheese) This puzzle has me dreaming of a meal of French ONION SOUP followed by grasshopper pie (with a crust made from OREOS, of course) for dessert. Mmmm.
• SPY (21A: "___ Kids" (2001 movie)) The 2001 movie, SPY Kids, is the first in what has become the SPY Kids franchise, which also includes three sequels and an animated series. The movie revolves around the Cortez family. The parents are spies, a fact which is unknown to their two children until the parents are in danger and the kids must come to their rescue. 
• POT (49A: Doenjang-jjigae vessel) Doenjang is a soybean paste, and a jiggle is a stew-type dish. Doenjang-jjigae, which originated from Korea, is a stew-like dish made with tofu, with optional additions of meat, seafood, and/or vegetables.
• HADES (50A: Greek god of the underworld) In Greek mythology, HADES, Zeus, and Poseidon were brothers. Their parents were Cronus and Rhea. The three brothers defeated the Titans and claimed rulership over the Cosmos. HADES became the god of the underworld, while Zeus ruled the sky, and Poseidon ruled the sea.
• ESPYS (67A: Best Jockey and Best Game, for two) The ESPYS are annual awards voted on by fans and ESPN personalities. The ESPYS were first presented in 1993. In 2022, the ESPYS for Best Jockey and Best Game were awarded, respectively, to Jose Ortiz and to the Kansas City Chiefs defeat of the Buffalo Bills in overtime during an AFC divisional round.
• COBALT (10D: Element in some blue glassware) When used as a pigment, COBALT produces an intense deep blue color. Powdered COBALT glass, called smalt, is used as a pigment not only in glassmaking, but also in painting and pottery. COBALT has been used as a pigment for many years; the earliest example of COBALT glass dates back to about 2000 BCE.
• SCHOOL (22D: Jackson State, for example) Jackson State University is a SCHOOL in Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson State is an HBCU (historically Black college and university) founded in 1877 under the name Natchez Seminary.
• STYLE (24D: Chicago-___ hot dog) I wrote about the Chicago-STYLE hot dog on October 16, 2022 when we saw CHICAGO DOG as a theme answer.
• REESE (53D: Singer and actress Della) Della REESE (1931-2017) had an impressive seven-decade career as a singer and actress. She signed her first recording contract in 1953. Her biggest hit was the 1959 song, "Don't You Know?" In 2014, after making a couple of guest appearances on the TV series, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Della REESE retired from acting.

Geography review:

• ASIA (18D: Udaipur's continent) Udaipur is a city in India (which is, of course, a country in ASIA). Udaipur is in the Indian state of Rajasthan, in northern India. The city is surrounded by seven lakes, and is a tourist destination not only for its scenic views, but also for its history and culture. A side note: Amazingly, this is the first appearance of ASIA this year. In 2021 and 2022, we had seen ASIA three times by this point in the year.
• PALO (49D: ___ Alto) "PALO Alto" is Spanish for "tall stick." PALO Alto, California, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area, was named for a specific tall stick, a redwood tree known as El PALO ALTO.

JUST A THOUGHT: "WHAT A TREAT!" is an excellent description of this puzzle with a straightforward theme. It was easy to GET A TOEHOLD today. If it wasn't a spoiler, I would tell people, "DON'T DELAY! STAY PUT until you are successful in discovering great entries like UP IN THE AIR and SPECIALIST." Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was an enjoyable way to start my Wednesday.