"In this companion cookbook to her upcoming new PBS series, Lidia explores her Italian-American heritage and brings us 175 recipes from all parts of America where Italians have settled and prospered"--

For Bastianich, common sense is an essential tool when one steps into the kitchen. Her recipes are meant to be a guide, and will be better if you adapt them to your own taste. These recipes are the ones she truly enjoys cooking and serving, using local fresh products to cook with the seasons-- and making time to sit down and really enjoy the food and the company!

"This is the first book Lidia has written since her beloved ... mother died. With all the family stories and recipes, in some ways this book can be seen as a tribute to Nona. Here are the traditional recipes that graced Lidia's table as a young girl--prosciutto and onion frittata, rigatoni with sausage and cabbage--alongside the new creations: sweet potato chickpea gnocchi with gorgonzola, [and the] cheesy baked chicken wings she makes for her children...