Tiella pugliese by Frank Fariello

Even though my paternal grandfather was from Grumo Appula, a small town outside Bari in the southeastern Italian region of Puglia, I don't remember eating much pugliese food growing up. Other than a few dishes—orcecchiette with cime di rape (also known as broccoletti), that wonderful calzone di cipolla (onion pie) that I just recently…

Smoked Salmon Carpaccio by Frank Fariello

Here's an elegant yet very quick and easy starter that suits just about any menu: a 'carpaccio' of smoked salmon, dressed simply with oil and lemon.

Spaghetti with Clam and Tomato sauce by John Spottiswood

This is one of my favorite last minute, throw together pastas. I generally use canned clams and canned Italian plum tomatoes (except in the summer/fall when wonderful fresh roma tomatoes are available), so this requires only a trip to the pantry. Our kids enjoy this as well. Recommended pasta: Spaghettini, thin spaghetti, takes to…

"Barbecue style" langoustines with cumin by Alida

Makes a great starter. A quick recipe and very tasty. Good if you want to impress your guests!

Spaghetti alle vongole (Spaghetti with Clam Sauce) by Frank Fariello

A Friday night favorite at our place is spaghetti with clam sauce, one of the signature dishes of Neapolitan cuisine. It is surprisingly easy to make, fun (if a bit messy) to eat and—if you have some good, fresh clams on hand—really, really tasty.

Tagliatelle al tonno e panna by Frank Fariello

Here's a dish for iconoclasts: tagliatelle with tunafish simmered in butter, cream and parmesan cheese—a dish that violates one of the cardinal rules of Italian cooking: never mix fish and aged cheese. But this may be one of those exceptions that prove the rule, as the result is really very good.

Spaghetti alla cipolla rossa e alici by Frank Fariello

This was not a dish my grandmother Angelina ever made, as far as I know, but it is certainly the kind of pasta-cum-vegetable dish that formed the foundation of her culinary repertoire. The robust flavor and texture of the onion and anchovy sauce would go well with other long pasta shapes like linguine or even bucatini.

Grilled Salmon with Basil Cream Sauce by John Spottiswood

Grilled salmon goes very well with lemon and basil. This cream sauce makes an interesting and attractive dish to serve for family or for guests. Our kids went back for more sauce. They love pesto on pizza and pasta, and this has a similar, though milder, flavor.

Bruschette with mussels and cherry tomatoes by Alida

These bruschette are quick to prepare and of great effect. They make a light and tasty starter.

Pizza with shells by nnonna2003

Linguine with Wine and White Clam Sauce by Vivien