Easy to use and simple to read, some of these recipes are those “as seen” on TV in the eight years of “Molto Mario” programs, including those from “Mediterranean Mario,” “Mario Eats Italy,” and the all-new “Ciao America with Mario Batali.” Batali’s distinctive voice provides a historical and cultural perspective with a humorous bent to demystify even more elaborate dishes as well as showing ways to shorten or simplify everything from the purchasing of good ingredients to pre-production and countdown schedules of holiday meals. Informative head notes include bits about the provenance of the recipes and the odd historical fact. Molto Italiano will features soups, antipasti (many vegetarian or vegetable based), pasta dishes representing many of the 21 regions of Italy, fish, shellfish, chicken, pork and lamb dishes, and many side dishes, each of which can be served as a light meal. With a section on desserts and a foundation of basic formation recipes, this book is the only manditory Italian cook book needed on the home cook’s shelf.