For Carina Contini food is a both a passion and a way of life. Her family’s connections to Italy and their extensive travels there – from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sun-drenched shores of Sicily – have enriched the recipes which feature on the menu of Contini George Street, Edinburgh. At the award-winning restaurant, which Carina runs with her husband, Victor, all the ingredients come direct from Italy or are sourced locally – many even from their own kitchen garden.

In this book Carina shares 100 tried-and-tested dishes for sharing with family and friends including small plates, soups, hearty pastas, meat, seafood dishes, salads, drinks, dolci and other treats. The recipes come from many different parts of Italy, showcasing the rich variety of Italian regional cooking, all of which can be reproduced in your own kitchen.

'This delightful book, full of charming tales and lip-smacking recipes, will raise your spirits, whet your appetite, inspire your cooking and get you thinking' – Joanna Blythman, food journalist and writer

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'When budgets for nights out are under strain then the 100 recipes to be found in this handsomely decked out book might be worth trying out.'