A Taste of Italy : 100 Traditional, Homestyle Recipes. This item is unavailable.A Taste of Italy : 100 Traditional, Homestyle Recipes

For Chef Damiano Carrara, good food has always been a family affair. Growing up in Lucca, Italy, Damiano learned to cook, not only from his mother and grandmother, but from his father, as well, who taught him how to cook fast, fresh, easy-to-make gnocci; Combined with homemade pesto, it makes a perfect family dinner that anyone can make. The same holds true of other family favorites in this beautifully photographed book, from Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Bean Soup) and Insalata di Farro con Gamberi (Farro Salad with Shrimp) to Finocchi Gratinati (Fennel au Gratin), Lasagne Vegetariana ai Carciofini (Vegetarian Baby Artichoke Lasagna) and Panna Cotta (Cooked Cream), scattered with fresh berries or shaved dark chocolate. Rustic, simple, and yet exquisite, this is truly authentic Italian home-style cooking recipes that the American home cook will find comforting and exciting, as well as easy to make, every day of the week from antipasti to dolci.

Growing up in the Tuscan town of Lucca, Italy, chef Damiano Carrara developed an interest in hospitality and the culinary arts. He entered the industry as a bartender and trained professionally for bartending competitions around the world, winning multiple awards, prizes, and accolades for his skills. Carrara moved to the US in 2008, where he continued working in restaurants as a bartender, and then as a manager. After five years of hard work, Carrara and his brother decided to open a cafe of their own in the Los Angeles area: Carrara Pastries (there are now several locations). After gaining popularity and wide recognition in the kitchen, he shared his talents with a national audience as a finalist on Food Network Star, a winner on Cutthroat Kitchen, and a judge on Halloween Baking Championship 2016. Chef Carrara lives in the Los Angeles area.