Before she was a Food Network star and bestselling cookbook author, Nigella found her way to Florence, where she learned to cook like an Italian. With beautiful color photographs to inspire, Nigellissima has all the hallmarks of traditional Italian fare in its faithfulness to the freshest ingredients and simplest methods.

From pasta and meat to fish, vegetables, and, of course, dolci, there is something for every mood, season, and occasion: Curly-Edged Pasta with Lamb Ragu; Spaghettini with Lemon and Garlic Breadcrumbs; Meatzza, a meatball mixture pressed into a pan and finished with traditional Margherita ingredients; and Baby Eggplant with Oregano and Red Onion. Never an afterthought, Nigella's low-maintenance "sweet things" include Instant Chocolate-Orange Mousse; light, doughnut-like Sambuca Kisses; and One-Step No-Churn Coffee Ice Cream, to name just a few.

Nigella believes that every ingredient must earn its place in a recipe, and she gives tips and techniques for making the most of your time in the kitchen. She guides you to stocking your pantry with a few supermarket ingredients and shows you how to make the most of them for spontaneous meals that taste boldly Italian.

Nigellissima is a love letter to the pleasures of cooking--and eating--the way Italians do. With a nod to the traditional but in Nigella's trademark style, here are recipes that excite the imagination without stressing the cook.