Could Sicily be a state of mind? One gets this impression by leafing through the pages of the first book of Giusi Battaglia, "Giusina in the kitchen, Sicily is served"(To be released on October 28 for Cairo Editore). A recipe book made in the South that instantly puts you in a good mood, thanks to the mouth-watering photographs and the sunny colors of the ingredients. For those unfamiliar with Giusina's story, it is that of a Palermo transplanted to Milan. In the Lombard capital Giusi opens his communication agency (still in business). Then, in the fateful year 2020, while the whole world is closed within the walls of the house, her unexpected television adventure on Food Network begins, with the format she conceived in times of lockdown "Giusina in cucina – Palermitan taste and tradition" . And now his first book, an accurate compendium of the recipes of his island. We had a chat with Giusina, who also gave us an exclusive preview of her recipe – cassata al forno!

How and when did the idea for this book come about?
“I confess that writing a cookbook was not a dream. From my point of view it was simply impossible that this could happen and therefore I could not even dream of such a thing. Instead, after a few months of airing my program on TV, this extraordinary proposal was made to me. I still can't believe it! And I still feel I have to thank Cairo Editore and Rossella Biancardi for believing in me .

Let's do some sneak peeks: what will his fans find in the book?
"The ABC of the best basic Sicilian dishes, the prime numbers. Dishes that fully represent the island's tradition. For each dish I tell something that is particularly close to my heart. I decided to create a simple book, but full of love: for food, for my land and for its people. I owe a lot to the people who follow me and who have always showered me with words of esteem. The book is not mine, but ours. "

His food adventure began in full lockdown. Can you tell us about your debut on social media and how an experiment born for fun has become a successful TV program?
«During the most painful period of the pandemic, in March 2020, home-bound and distressed, more or less all of us dedicated time to cooking. By posting a photo on social media with rotisserie recipes, a symbol of Palermo street food, I received a proposal from the director of Food Network, Gesualdo Vercio. I didn't accept right away, because I was afraid of not being able to manage my emotion on TV. I convinced myself to do it because we filmed everything at home, my husband Sergio and I, using two smartphones. We didn't think it could have a sequel. And instead we are here. One year and over 40 episodes behind it. Incredible, but true .

How do you deal with food today?
«Food is a constant in my life, both personal and professional. I have always loved cooking and it has never been a duty for my family, but a pleasure. Now that I have started preparing dinners at home, I am the happiest woman in the world. On the professional side, I have been dealing with communication in the food sector for many years, and from the very beginning I was fascinated by this world ".

Is there a typical working day?
«It is certainly marked by very intense rhythms. I start early in the morning and apart from a very quick lunch break, I spend my day on the PC, because I consider my work a priority. Do you think that even when I register the bets, the production also puts my calls on the table. I cannot abandon the job I love and have been doing for over twenty years ".

Sicily is in its DNA. How would you define the kitchen of your island?
«I love the Sicilian gastronomic culture. Without fear of being proven wrong, I believe it is one of the richest and most intense cuisines on the Peninsula .

False myths to dispel about Sicilian cuisine?
«Don't believe anyone who tells you it's heavy cooking. There are many traditional vegetable-based dishes and it is very suitable for those who want to follow a vegetarian diet .

The dish that represents Palermo most of all?
"There are so many! If I really have to choose, I would say sfincione. But I am doing wrong to all the other wonders, I know. '

The typical breakfast in Sicily (to make us water)?
«In Palermo you vary a lot with the first meal in the morning. There are those who love the classic croissant or donut with sugar, but also calzone or arancina, to accompany a cup of cappuccino. But I remember as a child the early morning queue at Porta Carbone, early in the morning, with a crowd of customers who ate 'u pani ca meusa for breakfast. In Catania and Messina, on the other hand, breakfast is served with granita and brioche. Wonderful".

What advice do you give to those who want to approach Sicilian cuisine, but are afraid of complex preparations?
“To read my book. I assure you that the recipes are super easy and it will not happen that the preparations fail. The only difficulty, at times, consists in finding some ingredients, but there
they are always valid substitutes ".

What is never missing in the fridge and pantry at home?
«Cherry tomatoes, courgettes, anchovies, cheeses. So some good recipes always come out .

A Sicilian chef absolutely to know?
«Pino Cuttaia. A man, a myth: I love him. It is the perfect essence of Sicilian cuisine. Tradition and innovation. I think he is one of the best chefs in the world .

Your comfort food to lift your mood?
"Pizza. Just mixing it makes me happy .

The Cassata al Forno di Giusina