Gennaro's Cucina: A cookbook of classic Italian recipes that help to budget during a cost-of-living crisis

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Oliver even once put up a reward for information when Contaldo's restaurant, Passione, was burgled in 2003. He regularly appears on Saturday Kitchen as well as his own TV show, the highly successful Two Greedy Italians, BBC2.

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Heat the olive oil in a saucepan, add the onion and fry over a medium heat for about five minutes, then add the tomatoes, basil leaves and some salt to taste.Gennaro joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch to talk about the book, which focuses on Cucina Povera - using simple ingredients in inventive ways to spend less and, ultimately, eat better. His latest book, ‘Gennaro’s Limoni’ published by Pavilion, is a foodie’s must, celebrating and sharing Gennaro’s love of lemons, Italy’s favourite fruit, and recipes that they star in.

Gennaro Contaldo - Stylist Italian recipes: 3 affordable meals by Gennaro Contaldo - Stylist

Many times, instead of taking money, you take a chicken, a goat, salami, cheese, fruit, in exchange,” he remembers, laughing. The basis of many of the most famous dishes is known as “cucina povera” literally translating to “poor kitchen” or “poor cooking”.

Contaldo also developed menus for Oliver's UK restaurant chain Jamie's Italian, in which he is a business partner. Contaldo grew up in the village of Minori on the Amalfi coast – “the sea was my swimming pool and the mountains were my back garden” – and fondly remembers artichoke season. Where aubergines are abundant during summer, pumpkin is plentiful during the colder season, especially in rural locations where this autumnal squash provided necessary nutrition for families. Gennaro Contaldo is widely known as the Italian legend who taught Jamie Oliver all he knows about Italian cooking and is one of the UK’s best-loved chefs, as well as being author of a dozen best-selling Italian recipe books. He married in 1974 and had three children - he later had two more children with his current partner.

Gennaro Contaldo tells Chris Evans about his new cookbook Gennaro Contaldo tells Chris Evans about his new cookbook

This was followed up by a second series which aired in 2012, "The Two Greedy Italians: Still Hungry". In 2011 he toured the Italian regions alongside Antonio Carluccio in a four-part series for the BBC, "The Two Greedy Italians". Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo’s new book, Gennaro’s Cucina: Hearty Money-Saving Meals From An Italian Kitchen, is out today. Continue making layers like these until you have finished all the ingredients, ending with a final sprinkling of mozzarella and grated Parmesan. In 1999 he opened his own restaurant ‘Passione’ in Charlotte Street, London, which was awarded Best Italian restaurant in 2005.During his conversation with Chris, the Italian chef spoke about some of his recipes, including Neapolitan mashed potato. Cook them with a little bit of olive oil, a crush of garlic, a little bit of chilli, a little bit of water, boil the pasta at the same time, throw in the starch – if you’ve got some breadcrumbs, throw them on top.