Celebrate Italian style with Mary Ann Esposito's new collection of recipes. Mary Ann, best-selling author and host of public television's popular cooking show Ciao Italia, shares recipes and menus for every occasion. From a pasta buffet for a crowd to an informal Christmas Eve family dinner, her easy-to prepare dishes are presented in her trademark style -- with reminiscences of growing up in an Italian-American household.Celebrations Italian Style includes charming folktales, written by Mary Ann and illustrated by acclaimed artist Tomie dePaola, and glorious color photographs of Mary Ann's recipes.

Mary Ann offers a unique blend of recipes and menus culled from her family archives and from today's Italian kitchen. Start Thanksgiving Dinner by adding an American classic to an Italian standard in Pumpkin Risotto. Savor Mary Ann's fondly remembered rehearsal dinner escarole-and-meatball Wedding Soup, or Nonna Galasso's Cheese Rind Soup, flavored with leftover ends of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Two chapters are entirely devoted to breads; one for the special breads of Christmas, Easter, and saints' days, such as Gubana, Easter Dove Bread, and the Eyes of Saint Lucy, and the other for everyday breads such as semolina, whole wheat, and dinner rolls. Easy-to-preparemain courses include Little Pork Purses filled with Fontina cheese, prosciutto and leeks, a dramatically packaged Chicken in Paper, and Spicy Cold Beef Rolls with artichoke hearts, bell peppers, and capers.

There are Italian desserts for every occasion cookies, cakes, tarts, and puddings -- Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti, raisin-and-nut Little Christmas Cakes, and simple fruit desserts such as Cantaloupe and Bananas with Ricotta.