Chicken breasts in cider cream sauce: pan-seared chicken paired with sauteed apple slices in a Dijon-spiked reduced apple cider cream. A bistro-style autumn dinner.
Fettuccine alfredo made the Roman way, with handmade semolina pasta tossed in butter and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. No cream. Just butter, cheese, pasta water, and minutes of tossing.
Roasted vegetable sandwich on French baguette with eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, and red pepper. Lemon-basil yogurt spread, peppery watercress. Vegetarian lunch.
Moroccan fava bean puree (bessara): dried favas simmered with garlic and cumin, blended with olive oil, served with Arab bread and a cumin-cayenne spice dip.
Garlic aioli dipping sauce made with egg yolks, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice. The classic Mediterranean condiment for fried squid, grilled fish, and crudités.
Baked polenta grits triangles topped with a fresh cilantro and tomato sauce spiced with cumin and chili powder. A light vegetarian main dish or hearty brunch option.
Ancient Roman casserole from Apicius layered with homemade crepes, sauced meat or fish in white and sweet wine, pine nuts, and cracked pepper. A taste of history you can actually cook.
These muffins are great. They are not too sweet, have just the right amount of cream cheese, and are nice and filling.
Simple sauteed cabbage: blanched then quick-fried with garlic, red pepper flakes, and thyme in olive oil. An easy 30-minute vegetable side with sweet, tender crunch.
Spinach salad with orange and toasted almonds, mushrooms, and scallions, dressed in a simple lemon-olive oil vinaigrette. Light, bright, and ready in 15 minutes flat.
Spaghetti carbonara with bacon, egg, Parmesan, garlic, and hot pepper flakes tossed together fast while the pasta is screaming hot. No cream needed for this Roman classic.
Grilled pork loin rubbed with mustard, garlic, and ginger, basted with a horseradish mustard and apricot preserve glaze. An overnight-marinated roast with sweet-hot flavor.
Rosemary onion focaccia with caramelized Spanish onions, fresh rosemary throughout the dough, and a cornmeal-edge crust. Bread machine kneading meets oven-finish for bakery-style results.
Rosemary onion focaccia with caramelized Spanish onions, fresh rosemary throughout the dough, and a cornmeal-edge crust. Bread machine kneading meets oven-finish for bakery-style results.
Italian zucchini ricotta fritters with garlic, scallions, and bright lemon zest, pan-fried in olive oil until crisp and golden. Crispy on the outside, tender and herby inside.
Herbed focaccia, a crisp Italian flatbread with a touch of cornmeal, brushed with warm garlic-herb olive oil and showered with kosher salt. Thin and crackly, it's made for open sandwiches and freezes well.