Catherine Fulvio’s latest cookbook reveals the secret techniques, tips and special ingredients that make Italians the best bakers in the world!

Being married to an Italian, has introduced Catherine Fulvio to a whole new culinary world. The ingredients they use, all easily accessible in Ireland, have inspired much of her professional cooking life.

Her new cookbook, Bake Like an Italian is packed with sweet and savoury baking recipes, including original ideas for everyday homemade breads, sweet treats for special occasions and small mouthfuls that go perfectly with a delicious cup of coffee.

While travelling in Italy researching this cookbook Catherine discovered that it is the nuns who were the guardians of Italian baking. The convents competed against each other to create the finest breads and pastries to please the priests. Produced on religious holidays and presented as gifts to priests and noble families, these recipes eventually became tradition in homes all over Italy.

Here you’ll find a recipe for cenci – fried pastry strips dusted with sugar traditionally enjoyed at carnivale, just before lent. There’s a recipe for Neapolitan mini dough balls. Considered to bring good luck, these were gifted to the noble families at Christmas in thanks for their charitable donations. The traditional panforte dates back to the 12th century when this sticky sweet treat used to be lined with communion wafers.

Bake Like an Italian shares this colourful history as well as the tips, tricks and secret techniques that make Italians the best bakers in the world.

Bake Like an Italian is published by Gill Books on Friday, 19 September, priced at €22.99.

For further information, please contact Teresa Daly, 01 500 9521, 086 838 3559, tdaly@gill.ie.