Ziti with Arugula, Smoked Mozzarella, and Grape Tomatoes

Some days I go to the grocery store without really knowing what I'm going to make for dinner and hope to get some inspiration. This dish grew from one of those aimless supermarket excursions. I was in the mood for the peppery bite that good, fresh, arugula delivers and thought the sweetness from the grape tomatoes would balance it nicely. I threw in the smoked mozzarella because, well, why not?

Grilled Peaches Recipe

It really doesn't get any simpler than this. I made these to accompany some grilled dry rub pork chops and the sweetness was a nice complement to the spicy chili-based rub.

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Farfalle with Pancetta Saffron Cream Sauce

Like the orecchiette I made a couple weeks ago, this recipe is inspired by a favorite restaurant dish. But this time, it's my wife's favorite and I figured I'd earn some points by leaning how to make it.

Grilled Pork Chops with Ancho Guajillo Chili Dry Rub

I was thinking about dinner this evening and this one came to me on the train ride home. I've been wanting to experiment with dry rubs for some time now and this evening seemed as good a time as any. I paid a visit to the Grand Central Market before I got on my train and picked up some ancho chili powder and a package of dried guajillo chili peppers. I figured I'd combine them with some of what I had in my pantry and hope for the best.

Ancho Guajillo Chili Dry Rub

This dry rub uses both ancho and guajillo chili and is great for chicken or pork.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbs Ancho Chili Powder
• 1 Dried Guajillo Chili Pepper, stem removed
• 1 Tbs Ground Cumin
• 1 Tbs Light Brown Sugar
• 1 Tbs Whole Coriander Seed
• 1/2 Tsp  Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Tsp Kosher Salt
• 1/2 Tbs Whole Peppercorns

Toss everything into a small food processor and pulse until well blended.

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Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

For a while in the late 1990S I worked on West 19th Street in Manhattan. A few doors down from the office was a small, unassuming, Italian restaurant called Portfolio that was steady and reliable. For some reason, their preparation of Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage always gave me a warm cozy feeling inside. Italian comfort food, if you will.

Recently, I started working in the old neighborhood again and Portfolio's is still there. I haven't been back to eat yet but I've been craving those little ears so I decided to make it myself.