If you've been dreaming of traveling to Italy or mastering the art of cooking pasta these Italian cookbooks will help you get on your way. Featuring everything from la cucina pugliese (the food of the Italian region of Puglia) and Bastianich-approved healthy pasta dishes to what to eat when in Rome, these new Italian cookbooks cover all the basics and will help you tap into your Mediterranean side. Buon appetito!
Puglia
from The Silver Spoon Kitchen
Puglia, located in Italy's "heel," is a region with stunning views, unique architecture and some of the best food in the country. This cookbook highlights 50 authentic recipes for well-known dishes such as fried mussels, orecchiette with turnip tops, strawberry sponge cake and other favorites that will transport you to the Mediterranean in a flash.
Available on Phaidon and Amazon
Eating Rome: Living the Good Life in the Eternal City
by Elizabeth Helman Minchilli
In this memoir/travel guide/cookbook, Elizabeth Helman Minchilli offers an insider's look at the best spots to eat in Rome. From gelato shops and open-air markets to coffee 'bars' to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, she takes readers on a fascinating adventure offering quirky stories and anecdotes along the way. She also contributes some of her favorite recipes for Roman classics such as pasta carbonara and carcciofi alla romana. This is the book you want to have if you are planning a trip to the Eternal City.
Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Healthy Pasta: The Sexy, Skinny, and Smart Way to Eat Your Favorite Food
by Joseph Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali
Don't be fooled by the title of this cookbook. This book is all about indulging in 100 flavorful Italian recipes that also happen to be good for you - even if you follow a gluten-free regime. Written by brother-and-sister team Joe Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali, whose mother is acclaimed chef and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich, this is a great guide for foodies hoping to balance their passion for pasta and a healthy lifestyle.
Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble