Italian Comfort Food: Intensive Eating from Fresco by Scotto Restaurant

When Marion Scotto's grandmother, Elena, opened a poultry market in South Brooklyn in 1910, she didn't know she was starting a family food dynasty. A born entertainer from a long line of fabulous cooks, Marion, who says that she "never knew how to cook for two," opened Fresco by Scotto in 1993 with her son, Anthony Jr., and daughters Rosanna and Elaina.

Now, in Italian Comfort Food, the Scottos combine the delicious flavors and warmth of Italy with the neighborly atmosphere of a quintessential New York restaurant, sharing funny stories and dozens of their prized recipes. Here you'll find hearty, mouthwatering dishes that are easy to prepare and give us what we crave: satisfying, homey fare. This is food for a languid Sunday afternoon, a romantic home-cooked dinner, a festive family party:

• The famously addictive Potato and Zucchini Chips with Gorgonzola
• Marinated Seafood Salad
• Meatball Lasagna
• Risotto with Roasted Winter Vegetables
• Grandma's Stuffed Chicken (the dish that started it all)
• Chocolate Mascarpone Cream Pie

Cooking with Italian Comfort Food is the next best thing to sitting down to a warm welcome and a wonderful meal at Fresco, an oasis in the heart of Manhattan.

Marion Scotto, Rosanna Scotto, Anthony Scotto Jr., Elaina Scotto, and John Scotto own and operate Fresco by Scotto restaurant. The family often demonstrates their recipes on Today with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, and Rosanna Scotto is a coanchor for FOX 5 News in New York. Fresco by Scotto has received outstanding reviews in New York magazine, Gourmet, and the New York Times and received three stars in Crain’s New York Business. The Scottos live in New York City.