Italian

INGREDIENTS Kosher salt 1 pound pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage, removed from the casings if not bulk 4 Cups roughly chopped kale leaves (stem before chopping) 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, or more to taste 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil INSTRUCTIONS In a very large pot, bring 5 quarts water and 3 tablespoons salt to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1 minute less than the package directions. Occasionally give the pasta a stir so it doesn’t stick together. Scoop out and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Meanwhile, put large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the sausage and cook, stirring only occasionally, until very well browned, about 4 minutes. Add the kale and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the reserved pasta water and deglaze the pan, scraping with a wooden spoon to get up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, stirring the noodles into the sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and extra-virgin olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning adding additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

INGREDIENTS 1 pound lean ground beef 1 (32 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce 32 ounces cottage cheese 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 eggs 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 teaspoons dried parsley salt to taste ground black pepper to taste 9 lasagna noodles 1/2 cup water INSTRUCTIONS In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef. Drain the grease. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, salt and ground black pepper. To assemble, in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly spread 3/4 cup of the sauce mixture. Cover with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1 3/4 cup of the cheese mixture, and 1/4 cup sauce. Repeat layers twice. Top with 3 noodles, remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add 1/2 cup water to the edges of the pan. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F(175 degrees C) oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

INGREDIENTS 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper All-purpose flour, for dredging 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped INSTRUCTIONS Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate. Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley. YIELD 4 servings ...

INGREDIENTS Olive oil, for baking sheets 2 large eggs 3/4 cup plain dry breadcrumbs 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus 2 tablespoons for topping 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried basil Coarse salt and ground pepper 2 large eggplants (2 1/2 pounds total), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds 6 cups (48 ounces) store-bought chunky tomato sauce or homemade Chunky Tomato Sauce 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush 2 baking sheets with oil; set aside. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water. In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 3/4 cup Parmesan, oregano, and basil; season with salt and pepper. Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge in breadcrumb mixture, coating well; place on baking sheets. Bake until golden brown on bottom, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn slices; continue baking until browned on other side, 20 to 25 minutes more. Remove from oven; raise oven heat to 400 degrees. Spread 2 cups sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange half the eggplant in dish; cover with 2 cups sauce, then 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce, and mozzarella; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

INGREDIENTS kosher salt 1 lb dried angel hair pasta 1/2 lb diced pancetta or bacon 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup fresh or frozen peas 1/2 cup torn fresh mint leaves 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, or more to taste 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil INSTRUCTIONS In a very large pot, bring 5 quarts water and 3 tablespoons salt to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1 minute less than the package directions. Occasionally give the pasta a stir so it doesn’t stick together. Scoop out and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Meanwhile, put a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until almost crisp, about 3 minutes. Don’t drain off the fat. Add the garlic to the pan and stir, making sure it doesn’t brown, for 30 seconds. Add the reserved pasta water and the peas. Simmer for 1 minute. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, stirring the noodles into the sauce, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the mint, Parmesan, and olive oil. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.