You have never had lasagna until you’ve had this lasagna! Made with layers of spinach pasta coated in a meaty ragú, creamy beschimella/béchamel sauce and just a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. There are no copious amounts of ricotta, mozzarella or tomato sauce. This lasagna has a dense mouth feel, but light, yet so satisfying in the stomach. It is in my opinion a culinary master piece.!! I took classes in Bologna and learned from ladies that shared with me their secrets and, if I do say so, I think I did a good job in replicating it here at home. I’m sure this will soon be a family favorite. In fact, it is now a “required” stock item in our family refrigerator!

I must admit, when Elena and I were making this dish, I was struck at how easy it came together….and it took so little time too! The fact that it is so good and satisfying makes this a new “go to” recipe for all occasions. The pork tenderloin is “butterfly” cut and then pounded thin. ( you can have the butcher do this!) Layer slices of the Prosciutto d’ Parma on the pork then top with beautiful sautéed spinach and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. The pork is rolled, trussed, and roasted. Carving reveals the beautiful filling inside. Topped with a simple pan sauce, it is a show stopping main dish that looks very impressive and it seems like it took a long time to prepare, but actually it’s quite easy and can be prepared ahead and just cooked at the last moment!

Is there anything better than potatoes with roasted meat? I love Yukon Gold potatoes! They are so versatile because they bake and smash equally well. Top with Parmesano Reggiano and breadcrumbs then cooked until golden brown – the perfect compliment to roasted meat.

Making polenta is usually a labor of love that requires a lot of time stirring. This method has you stirring for just a few minutes and finishing it in the oven. You still end up with a creamy and delectable cheese dish with not as much work.

These long, skinny, crunchy, herby, and cheesy breadsticks are positively addictive! They are the perfect for your aperitivo and pair very well with a cool and refreshing Aperol Spritz, one of my favorite summertime cocktails, very elegantly served in a stem glass with lots of ice. Together, they are perfect for sitting on the patio and enjoying the colorful sunset. I like to make my cocktail 1 part Aperol liqueur, 2 parts prosecco or sparkling wine, and a splash of soda.

This is one of my favorite summer dishes. The word gratin has two meanings: one is an oval-shaped baking dish; second, a topping that is browned. You can use whatever baking dish you have, it will not affect the taste. The onions, garlic, and tomatoes are cooked down to a jam-like consistency, topped with layers of eggplant and a ricotta-yogurt mixture, finished with a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese that is slightly browned. This dish is fantastic for great entertaining since it can be made ahead. You can serve it as a starter, or alongside your main dish. I love it the next day with a fried egg on top for breakfast or a light lunch. 

This pasta is a simple recipe, with just a few ingredients, but overflows with flavor. Grape or cherry tomatoes are roasted in the oven until their tomato flavor is intensified into sweet caramelized little jewels. When you bite into them, they just explode with flavor. It takes a little bit of cooking time to achieve this, but it’s so worth it. They can be cooked in advance, and then added to the sauce at serving time. In the summer time, I roast them often and keep them on hand to sprinkle in other dishes to give them a pop of that tangy, intensely sweet tomato goodness! The sauce is so simple: the roasted tomatoes, onions, basil, my favorite cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano and a little of the pasta cooking water coat the pasta and turn it into a sublimely delicious dish that is light, but so packed with flavor.