Lidia's Family Table

Thebest-lovedandmost-admiredofallAmerica’stelevisioncookstoday,LidiaBastianich,nowgivesushermostgenerous,instructive,andcreativecookbook.Theemphasishereisoncookingforthefamily,andherbookisfilledwithunusuallydeliciousbasicrecipesforeverydayeatingItalian-style,aswellasimaginativeideasforvariationsandimprovisations.Herearemorethan200fabulousnewdishesthatwillappealbothtoLidia’sloyalfollowing,whohavecometorelyonherwonderfullydetailedrecipes,andtothemoreadventurouscookreadytoexperiment.•Shewelcomesustothetablewithtastybitesfromthesea(includinghome-curedtunaandmackerel),seasonalsalads,andvegetablesurprises(Egg-BatteredZucchiniRoll-Ups,SweetOnionGratinate).•Sherevealsthesecretofsimplemake-aheadsoupbases,deliciousontheirownandeasytoembellishforascrumptioussoupthatcanmakeameal.•Sheopensupthewonderfulworldofpasta,playingwithdifferentshapes,mixingandmatching,andcreatingsauceswhilethepastaboils;sheteachesustomakefresheggpastas,experimentingwithhealthfulingredients–wholewheat,chestnut,buckwheat,andbarley.Andshemakesusunderstandthesubtleartsofpolenta-andrisotto-makingasneverbefore.•Shesharesherloveofvegetables,skillet-cookingsometointensifytheirflavor,layeringsomewithyesterday’sbreadforalasagna-likegratin,blanketingascallopofmeatwithsautéedvegetables,andfinishingseasonalgreenswiththeperfectlittlesauce.•Sheintroducesustosomelesser-knowncutsofmeatsformaincourses(shoulders,butts,andtongue)andunderused,deliciousfish(skateandmonkfish),aswellastoherfamily’sfavoriterecipesforchickenandabeautifulbalsamic-glazedroastturkey.•Andsheexploreswithusthemanywaysfruitsandcrusts(pie,strudel,cake,andtoastedbread)marryandproducedelectablehomeydessertstoendthemeal.Lidia’swarmpresenceisfeltoneverypageofthisbook,explainingthewhysandwhereforesofwhatsheisdoing,andthebrilliantphotographstakeusrightintoherhome,showingherrollingoutpastawithhergrandchildren,bringinginthesummerharvest,andsittingaroundthefood-ladenfamilytable.Asshemakeseverymealacelebration,sheinvitesustodothesame,givingusconfidenceandjoyintheactofcooking.