Rocco Gets Real: Cook at Home Every Day » (Original)

Rocco DiSpirito grew up in Jamaica, Queens, where his mother Nicolina worked in a school cafeteria and taught her son great Italian home cooking. He entered the Culinary Institute of America at age seventeen and, upon graduation, went straight to work in the kitchens of France. He returned to the United States and earned a business degree from Boston University in 1989. He opened his first restaurant, Union Pacific, which earned three stars in "The New York Times" and landed him on the cover of "Gourmet" magazine.

• Rocco comes to the home cook's rescue with more than 130 quick-and-easy dishes, many of which are featured on his A&E TV show, Rocco Gets Real.

• Chapters focus on the center of the plate, including pasta, chicken, beef, pork, fish, and seafood.

• Special chapters include Healthy Meals (recipes seen on The Biggest Loser) and Rocco's Holiday Table.

• Rocco's recipe notes teach, inspire, and encourage home cooks through every step in the kitchen.

• Short ingredient lists, quick and easy prep, and clever shortcuts mean streamlined techniques that don't compromise flavor.

• Full-color photography throughout the book.