The Pasta Queen

The Pasta Queen, Nadia Caterina Munno, starts her culinary tour of Italy in the region of Puglia. Come along as she makes two classic Pugliese dishes: Orecchiette con Pomodoro e Cacioricotta and Cozze alla Tarantina. Alongside these two recipes, she dives further into two key ingredients for the recipes with Bari’s Pasta Ladies and Taranto’s mussel fishermen.

On her final stop in Puglia, Nadia explores the town of Altamura where she learns how to make their world-famous bread. In Bari, Nadia meets with Massimo, the President of the Accademia dell’Assassina. His job is to protect and promote the famous Spaghetti all’Assassina or “Assassin’s Spaghetti.” Nadia unveils two killer recipes: Peperonata Crostini and the deadly Spaghetti All’Assassina.

The Pasta Queen continues through the region of Puglia with her Dad, Tonino, visiting an olive oil mill to learn about Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Later, they visit an ancient trabucco, an old fishing machine, and discover how the seaside towns of Puglia used to catch their seafood. Alongside these adventures, Nadia makes two delicious dishes from Puglia: Focaccia Pugliese and Linguine Al Cartoccio.

Nadia travels to the region of Lazio, home to the iconic city of Rome and birthplace of the Pasta Queen herself. Nadia shares three classic dishes she calls the Holy Trinity of Pasta: Cacio E Pepe, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, and Bucatini all’Amatriciana. All three dishes use Lazio’s legendary cheese -- Pecorino Romano, so Nadia takes a deep dive into this key ingredient.

While exploring Lazio, Nadia shares a Roman summer classic, Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms, in preparation for a summer dinner party. For the main course, Nadia concocts one of her specialties, Lemon Peel Ricotta Pesto. And what party would be complete without a refreshing cocktail? Make no mistake, this Negroni Sbagliato is simply stunning!

In this special episode, Nadia Caterina Munno "The Pasta Queen" explores the region of Lazio and makes some traditional Sunday Supper dishes. Follow along as she whips up a decadent Fettuccine Alfredo, Sautéed Dandelion Greens, and Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Sautéed Mushrooms. Along the way Nadia visits Il Vero Alfredo, harvests dandelion greens, and forages wild mushrooms.

Nadia continues her culinary journey to Campania, the heart of her family's pasta dynasty. Starting with a classic Caprese Salad, Nadia pays homage to the colors of the Italian flag. For the main course, she shares her Nonna-approved Eggplant Parmigiana. Join Nadia as she checks items off of her bucket list and embraces life's delightful surprises!

Nadia takes inspiration from family traditions and creates three new dishes with classic origins. Inspired by a visit to one of the oldest lemon groves in the Campania region, Nadia creates a lemon-infused pasta and limoncello cocktail using Sorrento’s famous citrus fruits. After serving up an ancient Italian fable, Nadia innovates one of her family’s favorite pasta bakes.

Nadia explores what makes the ultimate Italian comfort food, a journey that takes her from the Ancient Amphitheatre of Capua to her cousins’ family farm to harvest potatoes. With this knowledge, she makes two comforting classics: Gnocchi alla Sorrentina and Pastina in Brodo. These soothing dishes will make anyone’s troubles go away!

The region of Emilia-Romagna is home to the most well-known ingredients in Italian cuisine. Nadia travels into the heart of Bologna to learn how to make Tortellini and then to Modena to learn the process of making Balsamic Vinegar with Michelin Star Chef Massimo Bottura. Using a few potatoes and some modified poultry, Nadia highlights how this region is the capital of food and a force of nature!

Continuing her journey through Emilia-Romagna, Nadia makes two classics of the region: Gnocchi Fritti and Lasagna Verde. She learns all about Italian cured meats at Salumi Grossetti and Parmigiano Reggiano at La Cappelletta. She learns that if you pay attention to all the details, then you will always end up with perfection.

As her culinary tour of Emilia-Romagna comes to a close, Nadia explores some of the region's decadent delicacies to make surprisingly simple dishes: Tagliolini al Tartufo and Pizza e Fichi. Since The Pasta Queen always cooks with the freshest ingredients, she travels to Valsamoggia to learn how to hunt for truffles before stopping in Langhirano to learn all about Prosciutto Di Parma.

Nadia has something extra special cooking for the holidays - a traditional Italian seafood feast! On the Christmas Eve menu are: Baccalà alla Napoletana, Scialatielli alle Vongole, and a show-stopping Insalata di Mare. The holidays remind her that “no matter where you go or turn you always end up home,” so the Pasta Queen heads to Campania to slice her own baccalà, and visit the Nonnas, of course!