After taking us on journeys into her own kitchen and into kitchens across Italy, Lidia Bastianich now invites us on a road trip into the heart of Italian American cooking today. Traveling around the United States, Lidia visits Italian American communities that created something new out of the recipes passed down from their ancestors.
As she explores this utterly delectable and distinctive cuisine, Lidia shows us that every kitchen is different, every Italian community distinct, and little clues are buried in each dish: the Sicilian-style semolina bread and briny olives in New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwiches, the Neapolitan crust of New York pizza, and mushrooms (abundant in the United States, but scarce in Italy) stuffed with breadcrumbs, just as peppers or tomatoes are. Lidia shows us how this cuisine is an original American creation that redefines what we know as Italian food while always paying tribute to Italy, and she gives recognition where it is long overdue to the many industrious Italians across the country who have honored the traditions of their homeland in a delicious new style.
And of course, there are Lidiaโs irresistible recipes, including ยท Baltimore Crab Cakes ยท Pittsburghโs Primantiโs Sandwiches ยท Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza ยท Eggplant Parmigiana from the Bronx ยท Gloucester Baked Halibut ยท Chicken Trombino from Philadelphia ยท authentic Italian American Meatloaf, and Spaghetti and Meatballs ยท Prickly Pear Granita from California ยท and, of course, a handful of cheesecakes and cookies that youโd recognize in any classic Italian bakery
This is a loving exploration of a fascinating cuisineโas only Lidia could give us.
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