Table of Contents
Introduction x
1 Italian Essentials 1
2 Aperitivi and Appetizers 11
Campari and Soda 12
Aperol Spritz 13
Negroni 14
Peach Bellini 15
Americano 16
Venetian Scroppino 17
The Antipasto Platter 18
Crispy Artichoke Hearts with Aioli Dip 19
Clams Oreganata 20
White Bean and Sage Crostini 21
Bruschetta with Honey Ricotta and Prosciutto 22
Stuffed Mushrooms with Shallots and Bread Crumbs 23
3 Soups and Salads 25
Tuscan Ribollita (Hearty Vegetable and Bread Soup) 26
Tortellini in Brodo with Spinach 27
Pasta Fagioli with Cannellini Beans 28
Italian Wedding Soup with Mini Meatballs 29
Pappa al Pomodoro (Tomato and Bread Soup) 30
Stracciatella (Italian Egg Drop Soup) 31
Italian Mixed Green Salad with Parmigiano Vinaigrette 32
Sicilian Orange and Fennel Salad 33
Panzanella Salad with Cucumbers 34
Chopped Caprese Salad with Balsamic Vinegar 35
Arugula-Radicchio Salad with Pears and Gorgonzola 36
Caesar Salad with Garlic-Anchovy Dressing 37
4 Polenta, Risottos, and Frittatas 39
Soft and Cheesy Polenta with Roasted Mushrooms 40
Sautéed Polenta Squares with Shaved Parmigiano 41
Red and Green Pepper Frittata 42
Spaghetti Cupcake Frittatas 43
Sheet-Pan Frittata with Sun-Dried Tomatoes 44
Risi e Bisi (Venetian Rice and Peas) 45
Lemony Risotto with Asparagus 46
Risotto Milanese with Saffron 48
Baked Rice with Peas and Celery 49
Rice Salad with Chopped Vegetables and Roasted Peppers 50
5 Pastas and Sauces 53
Fresh Egg Pasta Dough 54
Fresh Eggless Pasta Dough 56
Fusilli with Red Wine and Pancetta 57
Pasta with 15-Minute Tomato Sauce 58
Pasta with 30-Minute Meat Sauce 59
Spaghetti with Spicy Aglio e Olio 60
Spaghetti alia Carbonara 61
Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe 62
True Fettuccine Alfredo 63
Amalfi Lemony Tuna Capellini 64
Orecchiette with Cauliflower and Crispy Bread 65
Farfalle with Grated Zucchini and Cream 66
Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce 67
Linguine with Fra Diavolo Shrimp Sauce 68
Baked Spaghetti with Ricotta and Sausage 69
Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells 70
6 Pizza, Breads, and Focaccia 73
Dad's Homemade Pizza Dough 74
Grilled Pizza with Burrata and Fresh Tomatoes 76
Cast Iron Pan Pizza Margherita 78
Sweet Pear Pizza with Brown Sugar and Sage 79
Puff Pastry Pizza 80
Parmigiano Crackers 81
Parmigiano Popovers 82
Riviera Focaccia with Rosemary and Olives 83
Sesame-Cheese Bread Sticks 84
Quick Bread Loaf with Ricotta and Ham 85
7 Vegetables and Legumes 87
Roman Sautéed Peas with Pancetta and Onion 88
Roasted Asparagus with Shallot and Parmigiano 89
Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto with Crispy Bread Crumbs 90
Broccoli Rabe with Garlic and Hot Pepper 91
Eggplant Parmigiana 92
Roasted Sweet Baby Peppers with Oregano 93
Sautéed Swiss Chard with Radicchio and Lee 94
Butter-Braised Spinach with Slivered Almonds 95
Garlicky Lentils with Fried Croutons 96
Chickpeas with Sage and Crunchy Fennel 97
8 Poultry and Meats 99
Chicken Piccata with Lemon and Capers 100
Chicken Saltimbocca with Sage and Prosciutto 102
Pan-Roasted Chicken with Onion Pilaf 103
One-Pan Sausage and Peppers 104
Rustic Sausage Meatballs 105
Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin 106
Easy Beef Braciole with Garlic and Parmigiano 107
Veal Osso Buco Braised in Red Wine 108
Roman Lamb Abbacchio with Roasted Potatoes 110
Broiled Lamb Chops with Salsa Verde 111
9 Fish and Seafood 113
Roasted Cod with Crispy Parmigiano Crumbs 114
Cod Acqua Pazza 115
Roasted Salmon with Olives, Capers, and Herbs 116
Tilapia Poached in Tomato-Tarragon Sauce 117
Baked Parchment Packets with Tilapia, Thyme, and Lemon 118
Shrimp Scampi 119
Fisherman's Seafood Stew with Shrimp, Clams, and Couscous 120
Lightly Fried Calamari 121
Steamed Mussels with Cannellini Beans and Bacon 122
Easy Crab Cakes 123
10 Pastries and Desserts 125
Chocolate Tiramisu 126
Mixed Berry Polenta Cobbler with Whipped Cream 128
Puff Pastry Cannoli with Sweet Ricotta Cream 130
Sicilian Almond-Orange Cookies 131
Puff Pastry Cornetto with Marmalade 132
Rustic Peach Galette with Almond-Nutmeg Topping 133
Amaretto Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts 134
Raspberry-Mascarpone Mini Hand Pies 135
Espresso-Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce 136
Quick Tiramisu with Biscotti and Mascarpone 137
Measurement Conversions 139
Index 140
