Recipes worth writing home about.

Everything Nonna made, finally written down. Approximately. Season to taste. Do not tell her we shared the recipe.

Family Recipe · 6 hrs

Sunday Gravy

San Marzanos, pork neck bones, sweet sausage, meatballs the size of a fist. Simmer low. Do not answer the phone.

Holidays · 3 hrs

Fresh sheets, ragù, béchamel, a whisper of nutmeg. Twelve layers. Anyone who says nine is lying.

Weeknight · 45 min

Pounded thin, breadcrumbs with parmigiano, fried in olive oil. Serve with lemon. Do not overcrowd the pan.

Coffee · 1 hr

Almond, anise, twice-baked. For dunking in espresso while pretending you are not eavesdropping.

Simple · 20 min

Tonnarelli, pecorino, black pepper, starchy water. Three ingredients. Requires more skill than they let on.

Sweet · 30 min + rest

Mascarpone, egg yolks, espresso-soaked savoiardi, a shower of cocoa. Better the next day. It rarely lasts.