lately, I've been seeing lots of signs at the local deli advertising a "Cuban Sandwich". I decided to find out exactly what it was. Although this recipe doesn't represent a true Cuban Sandwich which has roasted pork, pickles, and very little spicesk I was intrigued by this recipe and knew it would be a big hit with my husband. Serve it with your favorite chips and soft drink for one of the most satisfying meals you'll have in a long time. This is comfort food at its best.

I was an employee at Williams-Sonoma the first time I had a Tomato and Bread salad. The focus product were those lovely wooden salad bowls and our in-house chef was whipping up batches of his variation of this great salad for the customers. This salad is ideal for that last little bit of leftover Italian bread that has gone stale, but I've even made it with fresh Italian bread. It's surprisingly simple to make and quite delicious. This recipe calls for Red wine vinegar but I've used balsamic as well, add shavings of Parmesan Reggiano to give the salad another dimension of flavor.

Spring evenings can still be a bit chilly--or wet--so a big pot of hearty soup is often a welcome site at the dinner table. This version of "pasta fazool" is nourishing and sure to satisfy even the most ravenous. You may want to make this on a weekend when time is not at a premium; the recipe provides detailed instructions for preparing the soup base in advance, to refrigerate or freeze for quick weeknight meals in the future. A good loaf of rustic olive or rosemary bread is the only go-with that is really needed. Like most soups, you may want to tweak the seasoning just before serving. For dessert, try a good store-bought fruit sorbet.

My stepfather is originally from Pittsburgh and loves reminiscing about the traditional Italian fare he got to sample at his friends' homes growing up. One of his favorite meals, to this day, is an Italian Sausage Hero. On occasion I try my best to recreate that meal for him. This recipe comes pretty darn close; I usually add a little fresh garlic to the sausage and peppers along with some crushed plum tomatoes (canned) and the occasional Jalapeño pepper if I have one on hand. A quick and easy weeknight meal, great for the whole family.