Main Dishes

Ragù Bolognese

Makes 6 servings Bolognese is essentially a meat stew with a small amount of tomato added— although Americans often confuse it for a tomato sauce with some meat added. The sauce is cooked slowly to develop a deep, rich flavor. In Italy it is traditionally served with tagliatelle pasta and […]

Soups and Stews

Red Pepper Soup with Sumac

Makes 1 1/2 quarts If you can’t find lemon verbena leaves, you can substitute 1 stalk lemongrass cut into 2-inch sticks. It is best to crush the lemongrass sticks with a mallet and tie them into a bundle with kitchen twine so that it is easy to pull them out […]

Salads

Salade Niçoise

Makes 6 servings This is a hearty salad, perfect for a main course at any meal. You’ll want to look for high-quality tuna to feature in your salad, or make your own! If you can’t find small Niçoise olives, you can use Kalamata.

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Shrimp and Garlic

Makes 8 small-bite servings This recipe can be found in any coastal area where shrimp is abundant. It also is made with prawns or langoustine in some areas. For the home cook, shrimp is widely available and easy to prepare. Be sure that your shrimp is nice and fresh with […]

Grilling

Spicy Lamb Kebabs With Pickled Grapes

Makes 8 servings Lamb Kebabs Ingredients 10 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons minced oregano 1 tablespoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger 2 teaspoons Spanish-style paprika 2 teaspoons […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Stuffed Grapes Leaves

Makes 16 Ingredients 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup minced onions 1/2 cup minced fennel 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1 cup short-grain rice 1 1/2 cups finely diced tomato Salt, to taste Ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup minced scallions, white portion only 1/4 cup minced parsley 1/4 cup […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Tartaro di Tonno (Tuna Tartare)

Makes 4 to 6 servings Tuna is a very popular fish in the south of Italy. We prepare this recipe with a few simple ingredients also typical in that area, including capers, lemon, and red onion. Since the tuna remains partially raw, it must be as fresh as possible. Ingredients […]

Chef's Blog

The Mediterranean Diet: The Future of Food

The Mediterranean Diet sounds like something we might hesitate to embrace…after all, it has the word “diet” affixed to it. But it’s actually a wonderful Mediterranean approach to fresh products, healthy and delicious food, local wine, dining rituals, and lifestyle. For thousands of years, the countries in the region have […]