"A pared-down, workman-like approach to Italian food... makes Simple Italian Food immensely appealing and endlessly useful.... No tricks here, just brilliance." -The New York Times

Perfectly pristine ingredients, combined sensibly and cooked properly, are the unmistakable hallmarks of the best Italian food. Chef Mario Batali has elevated these simple principles to fine art, creating innovative new fare that pays tribute to traditional Italian home cooking in a distinctly modern way. More than 200 of his irresistible recipes are gathered in this celebration of the flavors and spirit of Italy.

Mario draws inspiration for his distinctive dishes from the two "villages" that have left their stamps on his cuisine: Borgo Capanne, the tiny hillside village in Northern Italy where he lived and cooked for several years, and New York's Greenwich Village, where he has ready access to bountiful produce and outstanding artisan-made products: his full-flavored, smartly presented fare combines the best of both worlds. Here, he offers classic dishes alongside his own enticing improvisations. Home cooks can easily duplicate the clear, clean flavors and lively presentations that are Mario's signature.

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