5. Family recipes I saw my grandmother cook. She would look after us a lot. She was a wonderful cook, but a little greasy. Sometimes I would take this ladle and try to scoop the oil from the top of the sauce. Then she’d make me put everything back in. All of these recipes are very simple, but you must have what my grandparents called “the hand.” My favorite is probably just a simple marinara. It is fresh tomatoes or canned, and garlic, oil and salt, a little basil. That is it.
6. Driving Across America When I was little, my family drove us across the country, chasing my father, [the actor Paul Sorvino], ended a California television show. I was so taken with the different places we stopped. Since then, whenever I’ve had the opportunity to drive across America, instead of flying, I’ve crammed my family into a van. To me it is always mind boggling how different every part of this country is and how beautiful and how strange.
7. DailyExpertNews crossword puzzle I used to do it with my father. He was even able to do Saturday. I can’t Saturday – I throw my hands in the air. It’s exciting when people say, ‘Mira! You’re in The Times crossword puzzle!’ That’s a real sign of gaining weight, when this pastime you’ve loved all your life suddenly has you as a clue.
8. Inspirational Reading I used to like fiction. But I’m leaning more towards non-fiction now, as I’m looking for templates on how to live and grow and deal with life as it changes right in front of me. I look at others who have had more difficult circumstances than mine and see how they have taken actions that can change situations not only for themselves, but also for others, for the greater good. Books that have been important to me over the past year: Coretta Scott King’s Autobiography, Anita Hill’s Autobiography, Richard Rohr’s “The Naked Now,” Marianne Widmalm’s “Our Mother: the Holy Spirit.”
9. My Dead Grandmother Angela Maria Mattea Renzi Sorvino was known as Marietta. She was the most loving person I ever knew, had the most difficult life, was not bitter, was brilliant, spoke five languages and she just loved. She gave me what it was to love and she gave me what it was to endure, even when everything has been taken from you. I always carry her in my heart.
10. “Saturday Night Live” Honestly, my favorite form of acting is comedy. I’m good at acting. I can do it. It’s actually real. But being funny is much harder. I just want to thank every “SNL” cast member and even all the guests for bringing me good luck. It would be a dream of mine to be on the show someday. Even for one skit.
