Lucinda Scala Quinn has been cooking professionally since she was sixteen, but the food she loves best is simple, home-style Italian cooking. It's the food of her heart and soul-the dishes that bring back warm memories of her Italian-American childhood and her many trips to Italy.

Now, in this gorgeous little cookbook, Lucinda shares fifty-two of her favorite recipes for homey Italian food. Accompanied by lush color photographs and Lucinda's engaging notes and reminiscences, these dishes are easy to make, beautiful to look at, and delicious to eat. Many are family recipes that Quinn has lovingly preserved, while others were inspired by her visits to Italy.

Open the book, and you'll find tasty, simple-to-prepare versions of all your Italian favorites, as well as some more unusual and equally tasty dishes. There are appetizers such as Bruschetta Pomodoro and Miniature Meatball Panini, pastas like Linguine with Clams (Lucinda's favorite) and Rigatoni with Rapid Ragu, and soups such as Stracciatella ("rag soup," Lucinda's childhood comfort food). You'll also find Pizza Margarita and Polenta, main dishes such as Chicken Milanese and Beef Brocciole, and desserts like Espresso Granita and Zabaglione with Fresh Peaches and Raspberries.

If you want to see just how easy it is to prepare crowd-pleasing everyday Italian meals, let Lucinda's Rustic Italian Kitchen be your guide.

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

Notes to the Cook.

Drinks and Appetizers.

Aranciata Cocktail.

Fruit and Fresh Herb Carafe.

Handmade Cappuccino.

Roasted Peppers.

Bruschetta Pomodoro.

Miniature Meatball Paninni.

Prosciutto with Fresh Fruit.

Tuna Gremolata Dip.

Pancetta Frittata.

Grilled Calamari.

Pasta.

Spaghetti Pomodoro.

Fettuccini alla Carbonara.

Gnocchi with Pesto.

Pesto.

Bucatini Putanesca.

Fusilli with Broccoli.

Linguini with Clams.

Rigatoni with Rapid Ragu.

Mostaccioli Amatraciana.

Salad and Vegetables.

Luca's Caesar Salad.

Pomodoro Salad.

Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan.

Baked Artichokes.

Carrots Agrodolce.

Spinach with Lemon.

Green Beans with Tomato and Basil.

Broccoli di Rape.

Tuscan Kale.

Saut,ed Mushrooms.

Soup, Pizza and Savory Pies.

Minestrone.

Cannellini Bean Soup.

Stracciatella Soup.

Pizza.

Basic Pizza Dough.

Pizza Margarita.

Escarole Pizza.

Spinach and Ham Pie.

Polenta.

Risotto Milanese.

Chicken, Meat and Fish.

Chicken Milanese.

Roast Chicken with Herbs.

Pork Chops with Vinegar Sauce.

Beef Brocciole.

Polpette.

Veal Picatta.

Osso Buco.

Fish Fillet with Rosemary.

Grilled Shrimp with Salsa Verde.

Desserts.

Carolina's Wine Taralli.

Aqualina's Molasses Cookies.

Espresso Granita.

Macerated Oranges with Stuffed Dates and Pistachios.

Zabaglione with Fresh Peaches and Raspberries.