Tubetti cacio e uova

Boil some tubetti (the small tube-like pasta also known as ditali or ditalini) in well-salted water. When the pasta is done, drain (not too well) and add back to the pot. Mix in a heaping tablespoon of butter or lard per serving of pasta (100g, 4 oz.) and stir until the fat has completely melted. Then add a mixture of egg (1 per serving) beaten with grated parmesan and pecorino cheese (1 spoonful each per serving), a handful of chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir briefly over low heat until the egg has solidified and serve immediately with some additional grated cheese (of either kind) for those who would like it.

Pomodori col Riso

classic Neapolitan recipe

12 round, large tomatoes
3/4 cup (150 g) rice (medium grained will be fine -- expensive short-grained would be too much)
1 clove garlic
5 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup dry white wine
Fresh shredded basil or oregano

Boil the rice in lightly salted water, and when it reaches the al dente stage drain it and run it under cold water to keep it from cooking further.

While you're cooking the rice, wash and dry the tomatoes, then cut around their caps and scoop out the pulp with a spoon, being careful not to puncture the tomatoes. Do the scooping over a bowl so as to catch all the liquid that drips from the tomatoes as well, and when you are done blend the pulp and juice. Then combine the blended tomato pulp with the remaining ingredients except the wine.

Preheat your oven to 375 F (170 C).

Stuff the tomatoes with the filling without tamping down too hard, replace the caps, and put them in a lightly oiled oven proof dish. Pour the wine into the dish and bake the tomatoes until done, about 45 minutes. Serve your tomatoes stuffed with rice either hot or cool.