Italian cuisine is so much more than pizza and pasta – but there is still lots of tasty pasta in BONACINI’S ITALY. Celebrity Chef Michael Bonacini cooks his way through 15 Italian regions, exploring the flavours and textures that make these areas unique.
Chef Michael Bonacini explores the mountainous region of Basilicata with a feast fit for any celebration. Beginning with an antipasto that caters to the region's southern heat, Michael stuffs crunchy sweet peppers with ripe tomatoes, savoury anchovies, and fresh oregano. Moving on to the primo, Michael cooks up a creamy vermicelli frittata. Using leftover pasta, he combines eggs with cheese, anchovies, and chilli flakes for extra flavour to make a classic Basilicata dish.
Michael highlights the tiny region of Molise, exposing some of its best kept savoury secrets including a multi-layered chicory timbale - a pie filled with fresh chicory, ripe roma tomatoes, prosciutto, pecorino, and breadcrumbs. Michael's primo is a spicy octopus in purgatory. For his secondo, Michael cooks up a traditional marinated rabbit, stewed in wine, tomatoes, and chilies. To finish, Michael whips up light and luscious peaches and cream cookies.
Delving into the cold mountainous region of Valle D'Aosta, Michael whips up four hearty dishes that are sure to warm up any chilly day. Wild mushrooms and lardo on rye, chestnut fettuccine with pork and cabbage, stuffed veal cutlets, and hazelnut cookies make up the menu.
Michael celebrates Tuscany's fine cuisine with four of his favourite dishes, including mushroom soup, lamb ragu, porchetta-style duck, and a creamy coffee custard.
From hearty inland crops to fresh food of the sea, the Venetian region covers it all. Michael begins with the sea as he serves up soft-shell crab which he pairs with tangy aioli made from sundried tomatoes. Moving inland for his primo, Michael twists together two classic Venetian dishes to make a new favourite - radicchio risotto.
Puglia's lush landscape and large coastline characterise its cuisine. Michael explores its native ingredients through some of his favourite Puglian meals. First up, he serves crispy fried mussels, followed by tomato and burrata risotto.
Simplicity is key in Sicilian cuisine and Michael explores just how the region balances simplicity with intensity through four flavourful dishes. He starts with an antipasto of folded flatbread with ricotta and fennel seeds and a primo of broccoli and sausage rigatoni.
Filled with ruins in its bustling streets, the region of Lazio sticks with grandeur in all it does, including food! To introduce us to Lazio, Michael highlights its Jewish influence with crispy Roman Jewish-style artichokes. As crunchy as a potato chip, Michael's artichokes are a delicious fried treat that are a perfect way to kick off a delicious meal.
Campania's beautiful coastline is filled with two things - tourists and seafood. Diving into the culture of the region, Michael begins his meal with a salad from the Island of Capri. Putting a twist on the classic dish, Michael's grilled Caprese salad combines fresh tomatoes, tangy balsamic, and a hint of sweetness from basil. For his primo, Michael serves up bold flavours with his spaghetti puttanesca.
Michael delves into the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna to discover its iconic cuisine. He starts with mortadella mousse spread on fluffy Modena flatbreads, and tortellini in broth - dish originally from Bologna that can be easily altered to personal taste. For his secondo, Michael uses traditional ingredients and pairs them in a tart, luxurious dish of duck breast with balsamic cherry sauce.
Chef Michael Bonacini explores sweet and spicy dishes hailing from the coastal region of Calabria. For his antipasto, Michael cooks up a light and refreshing brioche with gelato. Switching to spice for the primo, Michael prepares a spicy sausage and ricotta pasta. For his secondo, Michael goes for a hearty lamb au gratin with peas and asparagus.
Full of luxurious treats, the northern Italian region of Lombardy offers rich and delicious cuisine. Chef Michael Bonacini prepares stuffed squash blossoms with a creamy filling of parmesan, anchovies, and nutmeg. To follow, he cooks up a rich risotto Milanese. A feast for your eyes and taste buds, this risotto is coloured by saffron and its floral strands release flavour and colour as it's cooked.
Known for its lush landscape, Umbria is a region that offers fresh, seasonal ingredients perfect for simple yet boldly flavoured cuisine. To begin his Umbrian feast, Chef Michael Bonacini serves up a sweet and spicy antipasto of fried spicy tomato flatbread. For his primo, Michael brings our attention to an Umbrian specialty - truffles! He serves black truffles with light and fluffy gnocchi.
Appreciating island culture, Michael Bonacini explores the enchanting region of Sardegna and its exceptional cuisine. Michael begins his island feast with a taste of the sea through his antipasto of stuffed snails. Next, Michael prepares a luxurious and delicate lobster spaghetti, highlighting the fresh seafood of the region.
One of Italy's quieter regions, Friuli Venezia Guilia offers iconic dishes, waiting to be discovered. Michael Bonacini begins his exploration of the region with his take on a traditional meal - cheese crisp baskets with polenta and mushrooms.