I just returned from a vacation in Italy. This book so reminds me of my trip! I really like that Mary Ann uses simple, fresh, every day meats, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients in her recipes, just like most Italians I remember doing. I really wanted to replicate some of the recipes I tasted in Italy, but didn't want a cookbook that called for items that I can't find in my local grocery store. This book is perfect for me.

Most of the recipes are suited perfectly to family style dining, but are tasty enough to serve company. The "do ahead" features of the recipes make the dishes suited perfectly for today's life style. I am know this cookbook is going to be one of my favorites.

This is not the first Mary Ann Esposito cookbook I've owned, so I might be a little biased, but this is a great collection for the holiday season. All kinds of slow cooked, authentic Italian classics. You can put these things together and then set it/forget it. Come back hours later and you got yourself a casserole or a lasagne. No fuss, no muss. And the best part is, at no point is there any suggestion to use Ritz crackers in any recipe, if you know what I mean.

Go get this book. Seriously. Go get it.