Aaron Cooks Italian by Aaron Craze

Things have now come full circle since The Cock Inn sadly closed, and he’s now turning his ex-Ivy hands to superb north Italian cooking.

The Jamie Oliver influences are all over this collection – there’s a real honesty to the up-front combinations on offer, including rigatoni with Italian sausages and grilled red peppers, and slow-braised shin of beef in red wine with oozy polenta and mustard fruits. But there’s a subtlety of flavours on display too, from the simple tomato salad with basil and grissini to the deft-touch of lavender pannacotta. Complemented by basic recipes for pasta and bread, this brings a fresh look and accessible approach to Italy’s well-tried cuisine.