Tomato Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto
Tagliolini Pomodoro in a pesto of sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers and basil, emulsified with pasta water.
Classic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo di Pomodoro)
Roma tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano and basil simmered into the sauce everything else is built on. Worth making in batches.
Pesto
Basil, pine nuts, garlic and Parmigiano brought together with good olive oil. The Ligurian original, with Pecorino if you want more bite.
Aglio e Olio
Spaghetti with thinly sliced garlic, plenty of good olive oil and a pinch of chili. The pantry dish that comes together in the time the pasta takes.
Amatriciana
Guanciale rendered until crisp, crushed tomatoes and a shower of Pecorino Romano over bucatini. One of Rome's four essential pasta dishes.
Gricia
Carbonara without the egg, amatriciana without the tomato. Guanciale, Pecorino Romano and black pepper over rigatoni.
Carbonara
Guanciale, egg yolks and Pecorino Romano brought together with pasta water. No cream, and the pan comes off the heat before the eggs go in.
Cacio e Pepe
Four ingredients and no cream. Spaghetti, Pecorino Romano, toasted black pepper and starchy pasta water emulsified into a silky sauce.
Espagnole
One of the five French mother sauces: a brown roux built out with mirepoix, tomato paste, red wine and veal stock. The base for demi-glace.
Pumpkin Pie
Roasted pie pumpkin or butternut pureed with condensed milk and warm spices, including a little black pepper for lift.
Tomato Jam
Six pounds of heirloom tomatoes cooked down with sugar, balsamic and lemon zest. Yields five jars and belongs on every cheeseboard.
Italian Gazpacho
Jim's cold soup of heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, onion and garlic blended with olive oil and balsamic. Nothing to cook, everything to chill.