There is a communion of more than our bodies when bread is broken and wine drunk. And that is my answer, when people ask me: Why do you write about hunger, and not wars or love?

– M.F.K Fisher

• Note: buy organic if at all possible. I like to
• 1 typical can/jar of red sauce (I like to start simple, so this is partially semi-homemade)
• 1 large can of diced tomatoes (if you want to peel and dice them yourself, go ahead, I applaud)
• 1 small can of tomato paste
• 1 large yellow onion
• a 1/2 bunch of fresh basil
• A bunch of mushrooms (you decide the amount and the kind)
• 4 to 8 large garlic cloves
• 1/2 lb of ground beef
• 1/2 lb of thick-sliced bacon
• 1/2 lb of sweet Italian sausage links
• Red wine (
• Balsamic vinegar
• Sugar – anywhere from a couple of tablespoons to a half cup, depending on your preference for sweet sauces. The kids like the sweet.
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground pepper

Optional ingredients

• Whole Olives
• Red or Yellow bell peppers (roasted, peeled, and diced)
• Capers
• Molasses

Throw the red sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, a couple tablespoons of the balsamic, about a cup or more of the red wine, the basil (torn or chopped up), and the sugar in a big pot and bring it to bubbling, then turn down the heat a bit and let it simmer. The rest of the wine is for the cook. Additional bottles will be opened for the guests. Chop the onion into thick chunks and toss in a frying pan. Do the same with the mushrooms and add them to the onion. The point here is to get the onion and mushrooms

Ingredients

• 4 to 8 large cloves of garlic
• 1 pint of heavy whipping cream
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb of turkey apple sausage links (or similar mild/sweet sausages)
• Shredded Parmesan cheese
• Sea salt (to taste)
• Fresh ground pepper (to taste)

Again, go with good quality ingredients – it’s worth it.

Peel and slice the garlic (do not crush the garlic or use a garlic press) as thin as possible – use a sharp knife. Place the garlic in a frying pan with a generous amount of olive oil.

I’m rarely any good at getting through life, especially when it comes to loving people and being friendly. I can get downright grumpy at times. But one thing I love to do is cook for others. I don’t have many recipes in my bag of tricks, but these two I’ve had some good success with. Never do they turn out exactly as they have done before, but each time they seem to always please the palate and make people glad they came to dinner. Try them for yourself and let me know how they turn out and if if those you serve it too don’t also praise you for ability to raise the pasta bar just a little.

Also, I have made this blog