Think of “Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy” as part cookbook, part travel memoir.
The newest volume from America’s godmother of Italian cooking, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, captures the intense regionality of the cuisine and the distinct land and seascapes that inspire it.
The book is organized by region. In each of its 12 chapters, Bastianich reflects lovingly on her experiences, bringing to life the clusters of pink, yellow and blue houses that enthralled her as a child zipping along the Ligurian coast by train, and the taste of thumbnail-sized clams prepared by an aunt in Le Marche.
Each chapter ends with advice and observations from the author’s daughter, Tanya, who leads tours to Italy.
In 175 recipes that range from easy to involved, the book offers a comprehensive survey of real Italian food. Which means it includes all the expected staples: veal scaloppini, spaghetti with clam sauce, several varieties of risotto, osso bucco, tomato sauce.
l The Tagilatelle with Walnut Pesto from Emilia-Romagna is surprisingly light despite its load of ricotta and roasted nuts. The dish’s subtlety could be nicely offset by a peppery salad of arugula, tomatoes and raisins dressed in walnut oil and red wine vinegar.
l The Fish Soup from Basilicata bathes firm white fish in white wine, pepperoncini and herbs. A splash of vinegar gives it just the right kick, and a piece of thick white toast in the bottom of the bowl soaks up the flavorful broth. One tip: It’s even better the next day.
Many dishes call for homemade pasta, and the recipes are offered. But high-quality fresh pasta from the supermarket makes a good stand-in for those without the time or machinery to make their own.
So if you weren’t able to visit Italy this summer, this new book and the public television series it’s meant to accompany can help make you a dining room chair traveler.
SHEPHERD’S RIGATONI
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon pepperoncini or red pepper flakes
1 pound sweet Italian sausage (without fennel seeds), casings removed
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups fresh whole-milk ricotta (about 2 pounds), drained overnight
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano)
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil, shredded
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high, heat the olive oil. Add the red pepper flakes and let them toast for several seconds. Crumble the sausage into the skillet, breaking it into small clumps.
Cook the sausage, breaking up any clumps, until well browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.
While the sausage cooks, add the pasta to the boiling water.
When the sausage is browned and crisp, ladle about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water into the skillet to deglaze the pan. Be sure to stir the sausage and scrape up any bits off the bottom of the pan. Stir in the salt.
When the pasta is al dente, drain it then add to the skillet. Toss the pasta and sausage, then remove from the heat and stir in the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses. Scatter the basil on top, then toss well. Serves 6.
— Recipe from Lidia Matticchio Bastianich’s “Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy.”
Comments
kcmetro 8 years ago
I like food.
kcmetro 8 years ago
I had lasagna for dinner tonight. Wonder if there is a good lasagna recipe in there...
kcmetro 8 years ago
I bet there is.
kcmetro 8 years ago
I wonder if there is a recipe for italian ice...
kcmetro 8 years ago
Does anyone know how to make Italian ice?
kcmetro 8 years ago
Is anyone out there? How come no one is responding to me. :(
kcmetro 8 years ago
Anyone know the winning powerball numbers?
kcmetro 8 years ago
Sometimes I talk to myself and myself ignores me.
Jay_lo 8 years ago
I would talk to you but I don't speak Italian
kcmetro 8 years ago
Grazie lo stesso
Jay_lo 8 years ago
Thanks...and then you lost me
riverdrifter 8 years ago
I'll bite! I'll try this recipe with venison. But the pasta does have to br al dente...
Jay_lo 8 years ago
Ooh, I remember the alka-seltzer commercial...
Mama Mia, thatsa one spicey meataballa!
riverdrifter 8 years ago
That's 'be' al dente. Sorry.
kcmetro 8 years ago
Pit stop?
Jay_lo 8 years ago
now there's something you can sink your teeth into...
Jay_lo 8 years ago
107
Jay_lo 8 years ago
somebody snuck one in
Jay_lo 8 years ago
practice safe cooking...don't remove the casing from your sweet Italian sausage til it's done!
Jay_lo 8 years ago
picking up steam
ivalueamerica 8 years ago
I really enjoy this recipe
Jay_lo 8 years ago
hurry now
Jay_lo 8 years ago
go
ivalueamerica 8 years ago
hello
ivalueamerica 8 years ago
hi
Jay_lo 8 years ago
rats
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