Lidia Cooks From the Heart of Italy · A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes

In this inspiring new book, Lidia Bastianich awakens in us a new respect for food and for the people who produce it in the little-known parts of Italy that she explores. All of the recipes reflect the regions from which they spring, and in translating them to our home kitchens, Lidia passes on time-honored techniques and wonderful, uncomplicated recipes for dishes bursting with different regional flavors—the kind of elemental, good family cooking that is particularly appreciated today.

Penetrating the heart of Italy—starting at the north, working down to the tip, and ending in Sardinia—Lidia unearths a wealth of recipes:

From **Trentino–Alto Adige:** Delicious Dumplings with Speck (cured pork); apples accenting soup, pasta, salsa, and salad; local beer used to roast a chicken and to braise beef

From **Lombardy:** A world of rice—baked in a frittata, with lentils, with butternut squash, with gorgonzola, and the special treat of Risotto Milan-Style with Marrow and Saffron

From **Valle d’Aosta:** Polenta with Black Beans and Kale, and local fontina featured in fondue, in a roasted pepper salad, and embedded in veal chops

From **Liguria:** An array of Stuffed Vegetables, a bread salad, and elegant Veal Stuffed with a Mosaic of Vegetables

From **Emilia-Romagna:** An olive oil dough for making the traditional, versatile vegetable tart *erbazzone,* as well as the secrets of making *tagliatelle* and other pasta doughs, and an irresistible Veal Scaloppine Bolognese

From **Le Marche:** Farro with Roasted Pepper Sauce, Lamb Chunks with Olives, and Stuffed Quail in Parchment

From **Umbria:** A taste of the sweet Norcino black truffle, and seductive dishes such as Potato-Mushroom Cake with Braised Lentils, Sausages in the Skillet with Grapes, and Chocolate Bread Parfait

From **Abruzzo:** Fresh *scrippelle* (crêpe) ribbons baked with spinach or garnishing a soup, fresh pasta made with a “guitar,” Rabbit with Onions, and Lamb Chops with Olives

From **Molise:** Fried Ricotta; homemade cavatelli pasta in a variety of ways; Spaghetti with Calamari, Shrimp, and Scallops; and Braised Octopus

From **Basilicata:** Wedding Soup, Fiery *Maccheroni,* and Farro with Pork Ragù

From **Calabria:** Shepherd’s Rigatoni, steamed swordfish, and Almond Biscottini

From **Sardinia:** Flatbread Lasagna, two lovely eggplant dishes, and Roast Lobster with Bread Crumb Topping

This is just a sampling of the many delights Lidia has uncovered. All the recipes she shares with us in this rich feast of a book represent the work of the local people and friends with whom she made intimate contact—the farmers, shepherds, foragers, and artisans who produce local cheeses, meats, olive oils, and wines. And in addition, her daughter, Tanya, takes us on side trips in each of the twelve regions to share her love of the country and its art.