Breakfast, lunch, and dinner may mark the beginning, middle, and end of the day, but for centuries Italians have eaten two small informal meals that come in between. Italy in Small Bites is the first-ever collection of recipes for these bite-size treats, known as spuntini and merende, the soul food of Italy. Spuntini, the midmorning snack, can be as simple as a sublime walnut-and-raisin-studded coffee cake, while merende, which are enjoyed midafternoon, might be a wedge of onion frittata or artichoke tart, a crunchy pillow of fried dough served with figs or prosciutto, a purée of fava beans, or sweet peppers mounded on a slice of rustic country bread. The best-known merende in America are pizza and focaccia, but there's an entire universe of appealing food revealed in this book. Though the recipes are tied to centuries of tradition that go back to a time when merende reinvigorated laborers in the fields, they're singularly perfect for contemporary eating in America and are as versatile as they are delicious. Merende make perfect impromptu meals because they are stunningly simple foods meant to make life easy. Some -- bruschetta with various toppings, frittate, vegetable tarts, polenta crostini -- may be familiar, while others are welcome new discoveries. Served individually or in combination, they can become a meal -- any meal -- and they are healthy, inexpensive, and casual, perfect for the way we live.

Over 40 delightful recipes for Venetian bar bites, cocktails and spritzes that will transport you to the stone streets that line the interconnected canals of la Serenissima. Over 40 delightful recipes for Venetian bar bites, cocktails and spritzes that will transport you to the stone streets that line the interconnected canals of la Serenissima. Arguably the most seductive city in the world, Venice exudes magic and mystery, history and tradition, so it comes as no surprise that a city which delights at every turn should have a few little-known treasures to discover, too. Not least the custom of enjoying cicchetti (pronounced ‘chee-keh-tee’). Discover the charms of a small but bustling bacaro, where traditionally a glass of wine, known as an ‘ombra’, is served together with a selection of small plates or ‘cicchetti’. There are over 40 recipes starting with Verdura (vegetables) including Rosemary Roasted Chickpeas, Venetian Cheese with Cipolline in Agrodolce and Fig & Blue Cheese Pizzette; or try simple Pesce (fish) plates of Mixed Fried Fish, Soft Shell Crab with Lemon & Caper Mayonnaise, Red Mullet in Saor and Scallops with Borlotti Beans. Also featured are Carne (meat) recipes for Artichokes with Taleggio Cheese & Prosciutto, Calves’ Liver with Onions & Potato, Speck & Smoked Ricotta Crocchette. Finish up a selection of Crostini & Tramezzini (breads) as well as Bevande (drinks) to do as the Venetians do. Venetians love to linger a while with friends, chatting over these wonderful morsels and a glass of wine, a Spritz or Campari Soda, but cicchetti make perfect food for entertaining at home, too. Whether for pre-dinner nibbles, or a full blown party, bring a little taste of Italy to your kitchen at home.

The first cookbook from this little-known region of Italy celebrates the richness of the region's landscape and the allure of its cuisine, featuring recipes for easily accessible, fresh-from-the-garden Italian food from a Calabrian native.

Anyone who has strolled around Venice in search of something to eat will surely have come across cicchetti. They are served in bars, bàcari, and other eateries from late morning onward and are the Venetian equivalent of Spanish tapas and French canapés; irresistible little snacks of every imaginable configuration. Cicchetti is for those of you in love with Italy and Italian food. Many people find sitting around a table with friends and family to be one of the great joys in life. This book will help bring what wonderful Italian tradition home with regional recipes from all over Italy prepared in irresistible bite-sized portions. "Small plates" have become popular for both restaurants and now home cooking. From tapas of Spain to the mezze of the Middle East and the canapes of France, finger food allows us to eat almost anything guilt free. The smaller bite-size portions make even the most fattening ingredients consumed without concern. This book will teach you all about this Venetian tradition while delivering a unique collection of dishes that span the entire country. In no time you'll be serving your friends irresistible little snacks on sticks or on bread with an ombra, as aperitif or for lunch on a plate with a glass of crisp soave.

Award-winning chef Rick Tramonto shows home cooks how to recreate the simple, flavorful Italian dishes he serves at his wildly popular Osteria di Tramonto. Osteria means “tavern” in Italian. It is always a casual place, usually family-owned, where simple country cooking is served to accompany the local wine. In 2006, acclaimed chef Rick Tramonto opened Osteria di Tramonto on Chicago’s north shore. In this spectacular restaurant, he serves the kind of earthy, hearty fare so beloved by Italians—and Americans. Now, Rick has written a cookbook showcasing the food from his osteria, with recipes ideally suited for the home cook. Osterias tend to be open all day, so Rick’s book features recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as for little snacks in between. Breakfast and brunch recipes include omelets, frittatas, pancakes, crepes, and smoothies. Lunch includes salads, soups, pizzas, and simple pasta and meat dishes. Dinner offers everything from bruschetta and antipasto to fish, meat, and braised dishes, pasta, and desserts. There are small plates, too, and numerous antipasti, panini, and crostini. Blood Orange Crepes with Vanilla Mascarpone, Roman-Style Omelets, Rick’s Mother’s Lasagna, Capellini with Six Summer Tomatoes, Wood-Roasted Mussels in White Wine Sauce, Braised Pork Shanks with Borlotti Beans, Lamb Porterhouse with Salsa Verde, Goat Cheese Scalloped Potatoes, and Italian Chocolate Pudding are just some of the more than 150 intensely flavorful dishes. This is an irresistible collection no true lover of good eating will want to pass up.

In "Celebrating Italy", the bestselling author of "The Italian Baker" and "Nonna's Kitchen" opens a bright new window onto Italian culture and its sumptuous food with a collection of more than 175 classic, authentic recipes inspired by Italian seasonal festivals.

This is not just another Italian cookbook filled with pizza and pasta recipes. Italian Street Food takes you behind the piazzas, down the back streets and into the tiny bars and cafes to bring you traditional, local recipes that are rarely seen outside of Italy. Delve inside to discover the secret dishes from Italy’s hidden laneways and learn about the little-known recipes of this world cuisine. Learn how to make authentic polpettine, arancini, piadine, cannoli, and crostoli, and perfect your gelato-making skills with authentic Italian flavours such as lemon ricotta, peach and basil, and panettone flavour. With beautiful stories and photography throughout, Italian Street Food brings an old and much-loved cuisine into a whole new light.

Anyone who has strolled around Venice in search of something to eat will have come across cicchetti. Irresistible little morsels full of local flavour, they are served in bars, bacari and other eateries from late morning onwards and are the Venetian equivalent of Italian antipasti, Spanish tapas, French canapés, Thai street food or English finger food. Made using traditional methods and produce, these meat, seafood, and vegetable treats are the best of Italian cooking in miniature. This gorgeous cookery book is a comprehensive collection of authentic and innovative recipes that will set your taste buds tingling.

Small-plate dining is a Mediterranean tradition that’s become popular throughout the world. Mediterranean Small Plates includes recipes and presentation ideas for appetizers, antipasto, and charcuterie to share with friends and family.

With 125 uncomplicated recipes and illustrated with charming, evocative watercolors, these lyrical passages and images let readers experience the magic of the Italian garden without leaving their kitchens.