Praise for Erica De Mane "Erica De Mane is an experienced, generous home cook who understands how both Italians and Americans like to eat, and she deftly manages to bridge the two cultures." -Corby Kummer, The New York Times "De Mane tells you things you need to know. . . . Her philosophy is contagious. The tone is friendly. The result is liberating. The confidence can't help but build." -Ronalie C. Peterson, The Washington Post "I found myself nodding in appreciation of Erica De Mane's willingness to hand over the keys to being a good cook." -Susie Middleton, Fine Cooking magazine Savor the rich flavors of Southern Italy with this exciting collection from experienced cook and food writer Erica De Mane. From classic recipes to new interpretations, from multi-course meals to easy antipasti, here are dishes for cooks of all levels that capture the taste and spirit of one of the world's most beloved cuisines. There are plenty of southern Italian cookbooks; what makes De Mane's comprehensive volume special is recipes like Caponatina, her simple but inspired version of the classic Sicilian eggplant salad which she spikes with pears. (Kate Heddings , Food & Wine Food Senior Editor, June 2004) DeMane (Pasta Improvvisata) hones her flavor-combining philosophy and skills in this volume that successfully-and wonderfully-improvises on traditional recipes of southern Italian cuisine. She bases her dishes on the cooking of her grandmother, who emigrated from a town on the Campania-Apulia border; from there, DeMane has adapted her recipes according to ingredients available in the U.S. (mostly New York); the busy lifestyle of today's home cooks; and, finally, her own personal taste. DeMane's adaptations are subtle, but their effect is powerful. For example, she eschews sausage for prosciutto in Orecchette with Broccoli Rabe, Prosciutto, and White Wine. For main courses, she brings to the table Braised Sausages with Green Grapes, Wine and Bay Leaves; Pork Chops with Gentle Vinegar Peppers (into which she mixes anchovy fillets and marjoram); and Grouper Wrapped in Prosciutto and Served with a Winter Tomato Sauce (made with Marsala wine, sage and rosemary). Her salads are standouts (many, she maintains, can be a full dinner): Strawberry and Wild Watercress Salad with Pine Nuts; and Spinach Salad with Pears, Spiced Walnuts, and Ricotta Salata. Equ ally simple though enticing are DeMane's antipasti (e.g., Sautéed Cerignolo Olives with Fennel and Mint) and contorni, such as Potato and Sweet Pepper Gatto, Calabrian Style (made with vermouth, pecorino and caciocavallo cheeses). While lacking essential photos and illustrations, DeMane's clear and easy narrative and her abundance of flavorful recipes make this a valuable collection. (May) ( Publishers Weekly , April 26, 2004) — If you love the pungent aroma of simmering garlic, the rich tang of spicy tomato sauce, or the salty bite of Parmesan cheese, you're already well on your way to mastering the secrets of Southern Italian cooking. Now, you can learn to improvise with these enticing flavors and combine them in new and exciting ways that bring variety and vitality to every delicious dish you create. With her unique flavor-based approach to Southern Italian cooking, celebrated Italian chef and author Erica De Mane shows how to use the simplest techniques and purest ingredients to create surprisingly innovative dishes that add new dimension to the flavors you savor most. Insisting that the best results occur when we cook from the heart, the memory, and the senses, De Mane returns to the culinary region of her ancestry to rediscover the enchanting tastes that form the foundation of Southern Italian family recipes. She unveils the secrets of blending sweet and sour flavors; using wild mint to accent the flavors of meat and pasta; and adding distinctive character to stews and soups with cinnamon, saffron, and other spices that Americans may not associate with the cooking of Southern Italy. More than 250 recipes highlight the versatility and subtlety of this immensely popular regional cuisine-from Fusilli with Sauteed Green Olives and Bread Crumbs to Tuna Tartare Crostini with Capers and Avocado. You'll perfect techniques for preparing vegetables, meat and poultry, tarts, soups, pasta, desserts, and more. De Mane's delightful meditations on the art of cooking and the ways in which flavors combine give you both the inspiration and the understanding necessary to dream up your own innovative and delectable dishes. Complete with colorful anecdotes on the history of Southern Italian cooking, useful instructions on traditional preparation methods, and helpful tips on how to hunt down the freshest ingredients, The Flavors of Southern Italy fills your kitchen with the tempting aromas, exquisite textures, and bold and vibrant flavors of the cuisine you love best-at its very, very best! Praise for Erica De Mane "Erica De Mane is an experienced, generous home cook who understands how bo