If you’ve ever wanted to eat scrumptious pasta or sip flavorful wines in the Italian countryside, now you can—by living vicariously through Stanley Tucci.
A new CNN docuseries will see the actor travel to the country world-renowned for its rich cuisine, and he’ll explore both its history and its wide variety of tasty treats. Take us with you, Stanley!
What’s the Show About?
The four-episode series, titled Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, sounds like it’s going to feature plenty of pasta and food-related learning—and who doesn’t love both of those things? According to Deadline, ‘Tucc will travel to different regions to not only sample pasta and wine, but also to examine the history of certain places. He’ll visit Florence, Rome, Sicily and Milan.
For his part, Tucci seems plenty excited to embark on this delectable journey with CNN. In a quote to Deadline, he said, “I wanted to do this series because I am fascinated by the diversity of Italian cuisine and set out to gain a better understanding of the country’s rich history and culture. This was a passion project and love letter to the place where my family is from.”
If you’re also feeling inspired by that famous boot-shaped country, take a look at our recipes for old-world Italian food.
Who’s Stanley Tucci?
You might not be familiar with his name, but you’ve definitely seen Tucci’s face. He’s starred in megahit franchises like The Hunger Games and longtime favorites like The Devil Wears Prada. He’s also won a couple of Emmys and several Golden Globes for his small-screen work.
If the myriad of film credits and awards to Tucci’s name don’t ring a bell, perhaps you’re familiar with his culinary endeavors. Tucci served as co-owner for a restaurant in New York, and he’s written a few cookbooks, too.
His film Long Night combined the best of both worlds; in telling the story of immigrant brothers who open a restaurant in New Jersey, it makes use of Tucci’s cooking expertise and earned him several awards. If you’re searching for more culinary cinema, check out our list of food movies that’ll make you want to cook.
How Can I Watch It?
Since the news just broke last week, this project is definitely still in production. CNN hasn’t even released a premiere date yet. (Yeah, we’re bummed, too). It’s a safe bet that when it premieres, you’ll be able to catch it on CNN.
In the meantime, our list of food shows to binge-watch on Netflix should keep you plenty busy until you can travel to Italy with Tucci.
The Pasta We Hope Stanley Tucci Gets to Eat
One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the Old Spaghetti Factory with my family and ordering a big plate of cheesy spaghetti, meatballs and garlic bread. My homemade recipe reminds me of those fun times and satisfies everyone's craving for good Italian food. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
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My great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon
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These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills. —Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York
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This chicken cacciatore recipe makes a good Sunday dinner, since it's so simple to prepare. This recipe is the best because it's loaded with lots of vegetables and is a family favorite. —Barbara Roberts, Courtenay, British Columbia
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This garlic and basil linguine is a perfect way to use up your late-summer tomato harvest. It makes a great light supper when paired with a salad, or you can make it heartier with some chopped chicken. —Susan Jones, Downers Grove, Illinois
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Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty simple to begin with, it's made even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one big pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, Idaho
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My family really enjoys asparagus and shrimp. We often have this on busy weeknights because its healthy and cooks quickly. —Ehnes Wannetta, Eagle Bend, Minnesota
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When my family comes for a visit, they always ask me to make this unique dish for dinner. Homemade cheesy gnocchi is topped with a rich sauce made with butternut squash, spinach and Gorgonzola.— Brud Holland, Watkins Glen, New York
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My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor’s so good, you won’t miss the extra calories. —Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts
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When a man at church found out how much my family likes fettuccine, he shared his Italian grandmother's carbonara recipe with us. I've made it my own over the last 25 years. Grated Parmesan cheese works just as well as Romano. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
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This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I have new friends over for dinner. Years later, they've asked me to make this Penne alla Vodka recipe again. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas
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I love to bake and cook, especially Italian dishes like this homemade ravioli recipe. In fact, my idea of a perfect day consists of cooking my family's favorite foods then watching them dig in!—Lori Daniels, Hartland, Michigan
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In Rome, we dined near the Pantheon. The amazing restaurant is now history, but its memory lives on in this tasty pasta with mushrooms and sausage. —Barbara Roozrokh, Brookfield, Wisconsin
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When my tomatoes ripen, the first things I make are BLTs and this homemade spaghetti sauce. —Sondra Bergy, Lowell, Michigan
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A dear friend first brought over this stuffed shells recipe. Now I take it to other friends' homes and to potlucks, because it's always a big hit! —Beverly Austin, Fulton, Missouri
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We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It’s easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
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Here's a dish that's light and summery but still filling. My kids love all the veggies...for real! If you like a lot of lemon, stir in an extra splash of lemon juice just before serving. —Shannon Humphrey, Hampton, Virginia
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Try this sauce at times when you have a box of pasta or a store-bought pizza shell and need a sure-fire topping. Dinner is served. —Julianne Schnuck, Taste of Home Designer
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Because these meatballs freeze and reheat well, we use them as a quick addition to spaghetti, on subs or as an appetizer. —Louise Graybiel, Toronto, Ontario
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Try your hand at homemade pasta with this easy spinach dough. You don't need a pasta maker or other special equipment! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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What’s a family gathering or potluck without at least one pasta salad? This one's great freshly made or for several days after. We like it warm or cold. —Karen Hentges, Bakersfield, California
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The name of this Italian-inspired dish means "baked pasta with beans." But my busy family translates it as "super satisfying dinner." —Cindy Preller, Grayslake, Illinois
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After a day of simmering in the slow-cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. It's almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas
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I throw together these bold ingredients for a feisty seafood pasta. —Lynda Balslev, Sausalito, California
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When my mom made spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
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My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois
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The post Stanley Tucci Is Hosting a Culinary Travel Show on CNN, and It’s Our Next TV Obsession appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Hannemann
