Italy In Small Bites

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.

In her newest baking book, everyone's favorite Italian baker, Maria Bruscino Sanchez of Connecticut's Sweet Maria's Bakery, takes the mini-sweet-treat trend on an eye-opening Italian vacation as she highlights classic Italian treats in small sizes for scrumptious small bites while offering readers a trove of new recipes that are hers alone—cappuccino hazelnut or Bellini cupcakes, tiny Torta Caprese and bite-sized almond cakes, individual pear crostatas, mini Italian cream horns, and a one-serving version of Zia Ann's delicious Chocolate Ricotta Pies. Sanchez fills tiny parfait glasses and baking dishes with Arborio Rice Pudding Parfaits, Tiramisu Bread Pudding, and Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Crushed Amaretti and Berries. Small, Sweet, and Italian includes more than seventy–five recipes with easy-to-follow instructions that will turn any kitchen into a Sweet Maria Kitchen. So, think "small, sweet, and Italian" when you're looking for small, scrumptious desserts with an Italian twist!

Focaccia, a delicious northern Italian flatbread, is fast becoming as popular in this country as pizza. Written by an acclaimed expert on Italian baking and illustrated with full-color photos, this inviting cookbook provides the key to making simple, flavorful focaccia a staple of all your meals. Includes 50 recipes for savory and sweet versions of focaccia.

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.

Mediterranean food expert and James Beard Award winner Clifford Wright presents a mouth-watering collection of recipes for tapas, mezze, antipasti, and other small plates traditional across the Mediterranean region. The Mediterranean region shares a love of bold flavor and fresh ingredients. Mediterranean Small Plates takes you on a culinary journey, showing you how each country uses the foundational ingredients of olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, onions, and fresh herbs to develop their own unique range of flavors and textures. In addition to being beautiful to behold and delicious to eat, a diet of Mediterranean dishes has been scientifically linked to good health, including increased life span, improved brain function, better eye health, lower risk of certain cancers, decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes, and reduced inflammation. With small plates, you can easily share an adventurous, flavorful variety of these healthy foods with family and friends. Filled with stunning photography and easy-to-prepare recipes to serve and savor, Mediterranean Small Platesmakes every meal a celebration.

Explore Venice and its distinctive cicchetti via this collection of recipes, stories and photographs.

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.