Missing Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy? We understand. For six weeks straight, the actor and author transported viewers to Italy, uncovering history, humanity, and culture through the lens of food.
While we’ve got you covered for all the places to hit up on your next trip, we realize that a trip to Italy might be on hold for the foreseeable future – but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the dishes that dazzled Tucci's palate in il bel paese. Here are 10 recipes from Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy that you can make at home.
1. Spaghetti alla Nerano
Here’s our spaghetti alla Nerano recipe, the spaghetti with fried zucchini he enjoyed at Lo Scoglio on the Amalfi Coast during the episode dedicated to Campania. Plus some tips for perfecting the dish.
2. Tagliatelle al ragù
This meat sauce (which some might refer to as bolognese) tossed with silky ribbons of fresh tagliatelle is an indisputable Italian classic. In the Emilia-Romagna episode, Tucci enjoys it at Casa Artusi, named for the late and great Pellegrino Artusi. Here’s our tagliatelle al ragù recipe.
3, 4, and 5. Roman pasta trinity: Cacio e Pepe, Amatriciana, and Carbonara
Cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and carbonara comprise the holy Roman pasta trinity, and Tucci samples all three during the Rome episode. Here are our recipes for cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and carbonara.
Carbonara, photo: Riccardo Lettieri
6. Pasta alla Norma
This pasta with tomatoes, fried eggplant, and ricotta salata cheese is one of Sicily’s most beloved dishes – and one of the most simple to recreate at home. Here’s our pasta alla norma recipe.
7. Cotoletta alla Milanese
The Milanese-style veal cutlet is a must-eat in Milan. During the Lombardy episode, Tucci visits Ratanà restaurant where he prepares the dish with chef Cesare Battisti. Here’s our cotoletta alla Milanese recipe.
8. Cacciucco alla Livornese
When in Tuscany, Tucci sampled this historic fish stew from the port city of Livorno, and it stole his heart. Here you’ll find our cacciucco alla Livornese recipe.
9. Bistecca alla Fiorentina
In the final Tuscany-themed episode, Tucci enjoys bistecca alla Fiorentina, the traditional Florence-style steak, with chef Fabio Picchi. Here’s you’ll find our bistecca alla Fiorentina recipe along with some tips for perfecting the steak.
10. Delizia al Limone
Here’s Sal de Riso’s recipe for Delizia al Limone, an exquisite representation of the Amalfi Coast in the dessert form. The region's storied lemons, Limone Costa d’Amalfi PGI, are what makes the dessert so particular – if you can’t find them, Meyer lemons are a nifty substitute.
Cover photo courtesy of Raw CNN