Max Holmes

Martha mastered this classic dish during the couple's time in Italy. It's still one of her favorite recipes.

In Martha's family, cornbread is made without eggs or sugar. If you prefer sweet cornbread, mix 6 tablespoons sugar in with the dry ingredients. Either version is delicious served with butter and honey.

This soup gets a rich, earthy flavor from dried porcini mushrooms, which are available in the produce section of many supermarkets and at Italian markets and specialty foods stores.

Instead of being baked in one large dish, this version of the traditional Latin dessert is made in individual ramekins.