Nigella, who studied Italian at Oxford, indulges her personal passion for Italy, where she lived, worked and cooked when she was in her 20s, before she was a busy TV star, wife and mother. Nigellissima inspires readers to bring the spirit of Italy into the kitchen--without needing to source inaccessible ingredients or totally restock the pantry--with her quick, easy recipes and simple techniques that elevate everyday eating into no-fuss feasts.
 
Nigellissima shows readers how a weeknight dish can be a faithful interpretation of traditional Italian fare without involving numerous steps or ingredients. For example, a lemon, some oil, crushed red pepper flakes and dried oregano can add fire and life to a number of dishes. Or if a recipe calls for the juice of a lemon, use the zest, too, as that's where all its force and fragrance lies. Here are recipes like Italian Roast Chicken with Peppers and Olives; Shortcut Sausage Meatballs; Spaghetti with Tuna, Lemon and Arugula; and Nutella Cheesecake--all that can be rustled up pronto!