Spectator 2506

[pomona]

...devilish puzzle today...
5d Rice dish mostly eaten up in state (7) ????A?I
37a Behold Yankee returning with a woman (7) ??L?N?A YOLANDA??
10d Snapper soup Twist prepared (6) PHO?O? PHOTOG ? pho = soup but where's the "TWIST"

[JJ109]

Yolanda looks good
Lo (behold) + Y(ankee) both reversed + and (with) + a = Yolanda (woman)

[aelmpvw]

5d biryani?

[pomona]

Thanks for confirmation of Yolanda JJ109

Thought of biryani ...but how would that parse please?

[aelmpvw]

sorry, don't know, that's why i added a question mark :-)

[ProfessorMaisie]

BIRIANI - 'BI(t)' = 'eaten' + [raised] IN+AIR = 'state'.

[JJ109]

10d Photog (snapper) = Pho (soup) + tog (got/prepared) twist = reversed)?

[ProfessorMaisie]

'prepared' = GOT [rev].

[aelmpvw]

thanks jj, didn't know biriani as an alt spelling

[pomona]

Many thanks everyone.

[Neveracrossword]

10. Got, prepared(twist, reverse)?

[tedsgran]

Help/hints with the thematics please....

[novalis]

Tedsgran, Think Ms Britton.

[LancastrianOik]

39D Big weasel Asian nearly chased.

I have ?AIE?

49A Arabian woodcutter gives girl cake

I have ??I???A

Also struggling with the theme- I thought I was getting better at the "Speccie" but this one has me pulling my hair out!

[tedsgran]

49a Ali baba woodcutter
39d tai ra(n)

[novalis]

3 letter Asian (n9rmally 4 but H is removed) + Ra(n)
Famous woodcutter of Arabian legend 'says me';

[LancastrianOik]

Thanks- I had (s)PEAR(s) at 46A which threw me.

[greyfox]

Puzzle completed and I've got the title hint but the hidden diagonal is eluding me. Doubtless it's staring me in the face. Any subtle hint much appreciated.

[novalis]

12 letters going S-E. Greek ;wing; prefix.

[greyfox]

Many thanks novalis! I don't think I'd have got it without your help. I'd never heard of it but an interesting concept. You learn something every day :-)

[LancastrianOik]

I've just managed to complete the puzzle- that was tough! A very esoteric theme, and I would echo what "greyfox" says.