The reason for all the excitement? Beyond Giada's camera presence, it's her food; quick, simple, and bursting with the ripe, rich flavors that reflect the best of Italian home cooking. Giada is a Cordon Bleu-trained chef who's worked in some of L.A.'s finest restaurants, but she's also not afraid to use shortcuts and the occasional packaged ingredient. She makes it all look easy because it is, with such features as seven ways to transform red sauce, five variations on cutlets, four great uses for prosciutto, and more than 100 other dishes for speedy but special dinners. Filled with gorgeous photographs, this is the debut cookbook from a major new star.