"Let me invite you on a journey
with me from my childhood," beckons Lidia Bastianich,
hostess of the television series of the same name.
And what an incredible journey it proves to be!
Lidia's Italian Table is overflowing
with glorious Italian food, highlighted by Lidia's
personal collection of recipes accumulated since her
childhood in Istria, located in northern Italy on
the Adriatic Sea. Hearty and heartwarming Italian
fare is what Lidia understands best, and each chapter
of this gorgeous cookbook is infused with Lidia's
warm memories of a lifetime of eating and cooking
Italian food.
Since good Italian food is based on
good ingredients, Lidia includes an eloquent discourse
on those products that are the cornerstones of Italian
cuisine. She also explains the importance of regional
wines and grappa (in flavors from honey to dried fig)
in the Italian food experience.
Lidia explores every corner of Italian
cuisine, from fresh and dry pasta to gnocchi and risotto
to game and shellfish, all of which Lidia transforms
into exceptional Italian dishes. But that is only
the beginning. There are Italian soups to savor, and
Lidia's luscious dolci, or desserts.
This gastronomic adventure is more
than just a cookbook: it is an exploration into the
heart of Italian cuisine.