Pork

An easy autumn entrée that's great for special occasions.

This recipe takes its cues from Spain's classic fried pork and from an Italian favorite - the combination of pork and fennel.

At the restaurant, this dish is served with cilantro mashed potatoes. The pork has to marinate overnight, so begin preparing the recipe a day ahead.

In this simple recipe, an adaptation of Italian cooking legend Marcella Hazan's Bolognese-style pork loin braised in milk, the meat acquires a delicate texture and flavor and the milk slowly evolves into a rich sauce of golden curds. Don't be put off by its homely appearance!

Pork, always a favorite in the Midwest and the South, gained popularity early in the century. Immigrants from pork-loving countries such as Germany and Poland were crowding the cities and finding that fresh pork, a luxury back home, was abundant and affordable. Recipes of the time called for pan-frying chops, covering them with apples and baking them for an hour or so. But that would leave today’s pork, which is less fatty, very dry. Here, brining is the trick for making pork chops flavorful and juicy.

"On a visit to Key West, Florida, I had a superb dinner at Camille's Restaurant," writes Patrick Wessels of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "I was especially impressed by the creamy Gorgonzola cheese sauce they served over roast pork tenderloin."

Grits (made from dried hulled hominy) are at the heart of many a southern breakfast. Texture is the hallmark of good grits — they should be slightly loose but not too runny on the plate. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Makes use of the microwave.

Pasta chi Civa is traditionally served during Carnilivari (Mardi Gras) in Polizzi Generosa to fortify the revelers.

Roast chicken or smoked turkey can step in for the pork, or meat can be omitted entirely for a great side dish. The roasting can be done all at once or in stages. This dish can also be served hot.

Sliced leftover cooked pork makes this quick pizza even quicker.

Wong uses Fontina cheese and includes a slice of foie gras in each of these improbably luxurious grilled cheese sandwiches. At the restaurant, they are served with a Martini glass filled with swirled, chilled red and yellow tomato soups that the waiter instructs you to down in one gulp. Salud!

Wuxi, just two hours outside of Shanghai and often referred to as Little Shanghai, is a bustling city known for its silk. It was once called Youxi, meaning "has tin," but the tin reserves were depleted during the Han dynasty, and so Wuxi, which translates as "without tin," became its new name. These spareribs are one of the city's signature dishes.