Author(s): Sophie Braimbridge and Jo Glynn

Regional

"The Food of Italy gives you a real taste of a country that loves its food with a passion. Join our culinary journey from the kitchens of Sicily to the cheese-makers of Naples, through the vineyards of Tuscany to the restaurants of Bologna, and discover the food that defines today's Italian cooking: a simple seafood antipasto, a rich polenta with wild mushrooms, or strawberries drizzled with balsamic. Each recipe is photographed as it is made, and is accompanied by useful hints on methods and ingredients. Beautiful photographs shot in Italy show how to choose the best produce: from market-fresh vegetables to Mediterranean seafood and regional cheeses. To partner the recipes, special sections open up to explore the essence of Italian food and drink. Varieties of pastas, cheeses, salamis and hams have been photographed to make identification easy; there is a section on cafe culture and making a perfect espresso; as well as a guide to matching the best of Italy's wines to its food. "