Dill and Parmesan Meatball
Ground beef with shallot, Parmesan and a great deal of fresh dill, baked and served with a dill and basil pesto.
Risotto with Dill Pesto and Meatballs
Lemon-scented Carnaroli risotto with Parmesan, served with dill and Parmesan meatballs and a dill and basil pesto.
Grilled Cheese with Fig Balsamic, Plum, and Prosciutto
Sourdough grilled with fontina, prosciutto and sliced plum, under a generous drizzle of fig balsamic glaze.
Arancini
Sicilian rice balls made from Carnaroli risotto, stuffed with ragu or mozzarella, breaded and fried until golden. Best made with leftover risotto.
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.
Mornay
Bechamel enriched with Gruyere and Parmesan. The sauce behind gratins, croque monsieur, and the best macaroni cheese you will make.
Pecan Whiskey Pie
Brown butter, whiskey and three cups of pecans in a blind-baked shell. Richer and less cloying than the pecan pie you grew up with.
Trapani Pesto
The Sicilian pesto: tomatoes, almonds, basil and garlic. Made for busiate, since both come from Trapani.
Candied Nuts
Nuts tumbled in melted sugar with cardamom, ginger and a pinch of chili. Sweet, savory, and dangerous to leave within reach.
20 Hour Braised Chuck Roast, Sauce and Pappardelle
Chuck roast braised for twenty hours until it falls apart, folded through tomato sauce and served over pappardelle. Long on time, short on effort.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Brown butter, two sugars and real chocolate chunks, finished with flaky sea salt. Makes two dozen, and they rarely last a day.