Italian

Raw sugar can be found in the baking aisle.

This hearty soup makes delicious use of the flavorful 1/4-inch-thick rinds that remain after wedges of Parmesan have been grated away; they infuse the soup with a nice salty bite as it simmers.

In Italy, coffee granita is served in tall glasses filled halfway with granita and topped with whipped cream. We've added some white chocolate and anise-flavored liqueur.

This sophisticated main-course pasta goes wonderfully with garlic bread, Italian-style mixed greens drizzled with vinaigrette, and raspberry gelato with Italian macaroons.

The goat cheese, when tossed with the hot pasta, melts and becomes a creamy sauce. We've learned that it's a good idea to taste your goat cheese before using it (or before buying it, if possible — one of the soft goat cheeses we tried seemed a bit too strong for this dish).

While staying at the Hotel Villa Flori, which overlooks Italy's Lake Como, I had an outstanding pasta with a chunky pesto sauce," says Patty Owens of Walnut Creek, California. "Is there any chance the chef would share the recipe?" This pesto sauce includes walnuts, a variation on the classic recipe. To give the dish a creamy quality, add some of the pasta cooking water to the sauce.

We love this dish on its own, but a sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh basil can be a nice addition. If you can get fresh ricotta, by all means use it here.

Serve steamed rice with this dish to sop up all the garlicky sauce. You'll be amazed at how much the turkey tastes like veal—at a fraction of the cost.

Guancette di Manzo When braised, these beef cheeks become meltingly tender, with a rich, deep flavor. You may want to check with your butcher when planning this dish, since it's often necessary to order beef cheeks ahead of time. At Uno e Bino, Cesanese wine is used in the braising liquid, but it's difficult to find in the United States. A dry Lambrusco or Chianti makes a good substitute. Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to Finish: 4 1/4

Pappardelle con Stracotto Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 4 hr

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 35 min

"When I finished graduate school, I thought I’d have more time for one of my hobbies, cooking," says Catherine Verilli of Silver Springs, Maryland. "But now I’m busy teaching, researching and singing professionally. With my Italian heritage, I like to emphasize flavor, and my schedule often demands speed. This pasta dish meets both requirements beautifully." Pass additional grated Parmesan at the table.

Miniature pasta gives a unique twist to the classic Italian vegetable soup.

Great served warm or at room temperature.

In place of the pasta commonly found in Italian bean soups we've used wheat berries — minimally processed whole grains — for the following recipe.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes of less.