Everybody knows at least one — a pretentious foodie who insists on froufrou ingredients, laborious techniques and over-the-top dishes.

Well, this year they’re out of luck. Because 2011 was a year when cookbooks — even those by high-end and celebrity chefs — went all homey and nostalgic. Which is good news for those of us who don’t want to garnish a Wednesday night dinner with hand-harvested truffle-salmon roe foam.

There were meatball books, tomes of rustic dishes, and reminiscences on cooking your way back to childhood. The result? There are plenty of choices for those of us who must blend the joy of cooking with the sometimes crushing need to feed.

And that will make gift shopping for the food lovers in your life much easier. Here are

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This poem takes us to the heart of marriage. A bride and groom stand together on the very brink of a new life. No matter our background, this image of the happy couple evokes a sense of eternal promise.

The poem begins with the soft repetition of the word “now,” taking us to the very moment, the very second that the speaker’s marriage begins. There

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VILLA RICA, GA — Hannah Chaney only considers herself an average cook. But she still enjoys whipping up special treats for her three year-old son.

“Pretty much anything, cupcakes, cake,” she said, “you know – any kind of treats really.”

Bake Pop claims it can help anyone easily make and enjoy the hot, new sensation – the cake pop. It sells for $20 on-line and in stores.

“They seem pretty creative, kind of fun,” Hannah said.

The directions look kind of involved but she agrees to give it a shot.

You can use any cake mix but they recommend you throw in an extra egg and a box of pudding mix. That makes the batter very thick.

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A is for Alan Aurelia, founder of the busy Richmond County Orchestra and Riverside Opera Co.

B is for Bruised Ego (shelled, whole), a foodstuff in the wittily bogus Jeffu Market art installation at SHOW Gallery, St. George

C is for collage, perfected by West Brighton artist Andrea Phillips at the Staten Island Museum

D is for Tashi Dhargyal, whose transcendent Tibetan paintings graced the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

E is for Eyes on Infinity, one of many interesting guests tapped by Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble.

F is for the folk tale The Bamboo Cutter, turned into a play with music by Wafoo, the Japanese-American jazzers.

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With about to enter season two, debuting on Disney XD soon and multiple live-action series in development, there should be plenty to talk about at the Marvel Television panel Saturday afternoon at New York Comic Con. Here’s the official description of the panel:

“Big things are happening at Marvel TV! Get the latest on live action-series in development from Head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb. Plus, see a new sneak peek of Ultimate Spider-Man, and find out what’s next for your other favorite animated heroes.”

Live coverage is right here:

NYCC 2011: MARVEL Television Presents with Jeph Loeb – LIVE!

TERRE HAUTE — Need plans for New Year’s Eve? The Landing at Fort Harrison presents the Black and White Soiree New Year’s Eve Charity Ball benefiting the Vigo County Education Foundation.

Entertainment for the evening includes the MacDaddys, EZ Street Jazz Band, Pure Entertainment with DJ Bernie McGee, and free Glow Bowling for the entire evening.

At 11:50, revelers will watch the ball drop in Times Square on one of many screens. After a champagne toast at midnight, guests will move outside to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display over the Wabash River.   

The evening is sponsored by Union Hospital, Terre Haute Regional Hospital, Indiana Eye Specialist, Springhill Sleep Disorders Dr. Vannara

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