Tune in to Giada at Home or any of Giada De Laurentiis's other programs, and it's nearly impossible not to become transfixed by her warm, engaging persona and demos of accessible yet elevated recipes. With eight cookbook titles to her name, she's a prolific, talented recipe writer off the screen as well. All of which is to say that the Food Network star is a stellar source for culinary inspiration, including these nine must-make recipes.
— Additional reporting by Nicole Perry
Tender, zesty orange ricotta pound cake is an ideal teatime snack.
Peach nectar, fresh peaches, and ginger syrup add a summery touch to what Giada calls her "fabulous peachy beer."
This combo is actually unbeatable. The savory kale combined with the sweet potatoes will make any healthy-snack disbeliever change her ways.
For a nostalgic breakfast treat, try peanut butter and jelly crepes.
Olive oil might sound like an odd ingredient for a dessert recipe, but don't knock it until you've tried it in this bright citrus-infused cake.
Giada's simple rendition of roasted red pepper soup comes together in 45 minutes or less. Potato and Italian mascarpone cheese add creaminess and body.
There's no baking involved in this chocolate trifle, which soaks chocolate cake with coffee liqueur before layering it with chocolate mascarpone.
Pollo frito (that's Italian for fried chicken) sounds indulgent, but Giada's recipe calls for a moist, bone-in chicken that's marinated in lemon juice and panfried until crisp, for a version that's lighter but still heavy on the satisfaction.