Pack your bags, because you’re going to Italy... Lida’s Italy. Renowned chef Lidia Bastianich celebrates the land she calls home as she journeys throughout Italy exploring the various regions that lend inspiration to her delicious recipes.
In each episode Lidia takes viewers on a gastronomic tour to regions such as Tuscany, Rome, Naples, Padua, Sicily, Trieste and Istria. She introduces them to friends and family, visits food markets, fishing villages and farms as she haggles over the price of fish, forages for the perfect truffle in the soil of her ancestors, or picks ripe red tomatoes from the volcanic ashes of Mount Vesuvius.
Throughout the series, friends and family often join Lidia, including her daughter Tanya, an authority on Italian renaissance Art with a doctorate in Art History from Oxford University. Tanya introduces some of Lidia’s favorite hidden cultural treasures, while her son Joseph, an award winning vintner, frequently stops by to discuss regional wines.
At the end of each episode, return back to Lidia’s familiar kitchen where she prepares sumptuous recipes as you, the viewer cooks along.
"I love Lidia because her show encompasses family, travel, and the best food … I never get tired of watching Lidia - she has given me so many new ideas."
-- Nella Valenza
"Lidia has such a deep passion for food and family [and] enjoys sharing it with other people .. most of the time, I just want to reach through the screen & savour a bite!"
-- Coralee McDougall-Lalonde
"Lidia's passion for food and the love she puts into sharing her recipes ... Dishes [that] are sure to bring families back to the dinner table to enjoy good food together."
-- Susan Barclay
In this episode, Lidia visits the region of Molise, an area well known for its olive oil and fresh fish. Lidia shows us a traditional Molise meal by preparing a delicious fish soup with vegetables as well as taccozze pasta with sea bass. With a combination of different vegetables, a variety of fish, and of course fresh pasta, you can experience what this wonderful region has to offer.
In this episode Lidia travels to the region of Abruzzo where she goes from the highlands to the seashore exploring the beautiful scenery and fresh food. First she takes us to the mountains to make homemade maccheroni in a meat sauce consisting of pork, plump tomatoes and fresh vegetables. Then we head to the coast, where Chef Fortuna Nicotra helps Lidia in the kitchen, as she prepares paccheri with fresh clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops. And don't forget to add the touch of saffron.
Lidia travels to the north eastern part of Sardegna, a region known for it's rich delicious and complex foods. Join Lidia as she creates a Zuppa filled with Savoy cabbage, provolone, and pecorino cheese. And if that wasn't enough cheese for you, Lidia ends the meal by making a simple but delicious provolone turnover. All you need is dough and cheese, and maybe some honey to drizzle!
Join Lidia as she travels to Liguria, a region all about herbs and vegetables. Lidia begins by making a simple rice and zucchini crostada made with fresh dough and ricotta cheese. She is then joined in the kitchen by Chef Mark Ladner of Del Posto, who helps her to make stuffed vegetables by using fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, and zucchini as well as a refreshing bread salad with summer vegetables.
