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!