80 school recipes

Classic fried pork chops dredged in seasoned flour and deep-fried in an inch of oil until golden brown and cooked through. Simple, crispy, old-school comfort food with a paprika finish.

Baked fig and walnut meringue puffs made with whipped egg whites, stewed figs, and broken walnuts. An old-school fruit dessert that bakes up airy and jammy, finished with sweetened whipped cream.

Mom's creamy chicken gravy with celery, green pepper, and pimentos ladled over warm buttermilk biscuits. Old-school comfort food ready in 20 minutes.

Haricot mutton, a traditional New Zealand stew with flour-dredged mutton, turnip, carrots, and celery simmered in stock. Old-school comfort food from the farm kitchen.

Traditional Italian taralli cookies shaped into rings, dipped in vanilla icing, and topped with sprinkles. A sweet, old-school Italian American cookie from Nonna's kitchen. Makes 24.

British pork belly and pig's kidney casserole slow-braised with celery, onion, orange zest, and rosemary, then chilled overnight for depth. Old-school nose-to-tail comfort food from the English kitchen.

Louisiana-style roasted duck rubbed with a vinegar-salt-pepper paste, stuffed with aromatics, and slow-roasted until tender. A Cajun family recipe with old-school technique and deep flavor.

Old-school fried brain sandwiches: pork brains soaked, battered with egg and flour, and griddle-fried until crispy. A Midwestern regional classic served on a bun.

Lemon snow pudding with basil custard sauce: a cloud-light whipped gelatin dessert with bright lemon and a silky basil-infused crème anglaise poured over top. Elegant, old-school, and delicately refreshing.

Candied grapefruit or orange peel: citrus peel blanched five times to remove bitterness, simmered in sugar syrup until glossy, and rolled in granulated sugar. Old-school edible gift, zero waste.

Old-school deviled oysters (or clams) baked in shells with a rich cream sauce, egg yolk, and crispy breadcrumb topping. Simple, elegant, and ready in 15 minutes.

Bone marrow onion sauce with dry sherry and beef broth, pureed until silky smooth. A rich, old-school European sauce for roast beef, made in the microwave.

Classic homemade eggnog with bourbon, separated eggs, and a full pint of heavy cream. Old-school holiday punch bowl recipe that gets richer overnight in the fridge.

Mom's peppered ham: poached ham shank coated in cracked black peppercorns and dried in a low oven for paper-thin deli-style slices. Old-school deli cooking at home.

A staple at English boarding schools, these individual cakes are served with afternoon tea. They don't keep well; after a day they take on the characteristics of "rocks".

A proper British steak and kidney pie with claret-marinated beef, browned mushrooms, and a golden puff pastry lid. Hearty, old-school comfort that feeds eight hungry guests.