Chicken Stew with Olives and Lemon
The bright flavors of Italian salsa verde--olives and lemon--add Western flair to this chicken stew. The succulent texture and robust flavor of boned, skinned chicken thighs stand up well to braising in this dish.
Vegetable Ribbon Pasta Shells
Instead of loading pasta shells with lots of cheese, use less and combine it with delicate ribbons of fresh vegetables. A mandoline will give you the most delicate veggie ribbons, but you can also use a vegetable peeler.
Recipe: Vegetable Ribbon Pasta Shells
Puttanesca Meatball Sliders
Transform classic puttanesca sauce into a topping for casual meatball sliders. These work well as a main course or as an appetizer. Close them with long toothpicks if you like.
Recipe: Puttanesca Meatball Sliders
Blue Cheese and Radicchio Risotto
Try your favorite local blue cheese in this tasty risotto. Though Carnaroli and Arborio rices are traditional for the dish, we discovered that less-expensive sushi rice, such as Nishiki, works just as well.
Pork Milanese with Arugula, Fennel, and Parmesan Salad
For extra-crunchy pork cutlets in this Western dish, think Asian fusion: Coat the meat with Japanese panko, not regular bread crumbs.
Recipe: Pork Milanese with Arugula, Fennel, and Parmesan Salad
Campanile's Spaghetti and Meatballs in Red Sauce
L.A. chef Mark Peel of Campanile revs up classic meatballs with mushrooms and fresh-cracked fennel. For a small group, serve half the sauce (with half the pasta), then freeze the rest for dinner another night.