La Dolce Vita

In her third cookbook Silvia embraces the Mediterranean food she grew up with, taking us far beyond the heavy pasta dishes and rich cakes that Italian cuisine is often (mistakenly) associated with. Italian home cooks are more likely to cook simply, allowing fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and fish to shine, with sparing use of dairy, meat, animal fats and sugars.

Italian-born Silvia Colloca is a firm believer that anyone can enjoy la dolce vita, the sweet life, no matter where you live. It's all in the attitude. Life is for celebrating, and for an Italian, this means offering generous amounts of food that can be enjoyed by one and all.

In her third cookbook Silvia embraces the Mediterranean food she grew up with, taking us far beyond the heavy pasta dishes and rich cakes that Italian cuisine is often (mistakenly) associated with. Italian home cooks are more likely to cook simply, allowing fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and fish to shine, with sparing use of dairy, meat, animal fats and sugars. The recipes are authentic and nutritious, catering to those with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-, grain-, egg- and dairy-free dietary preferences. The perfect way to love and nurture your favourite people, and celebrate the sweet life together.

About the Author

Food lover Silvia Colloca is a woman of many talents: professional actress and opera singer, published author, blogger and sensational cook. After spending her childhood in the kitchens of her mother and grandmothers, Silvia absorbed much of their Italian culinary heritage.

Since moving to Australia several years ago, Silvia has kneaded, beaten, rolled, chopped and pounded her way to an authentic Italian identity in her Sydney kitchen. Silvia and her husband Richard Roxburgh have two young sons, Raphael and Miro.

Silvia's first cookbook, Silvia's Cucina, was published in 2013, and her second book, Made in Italy with Silvia Colloca, published in 2014, in conjunction with her debut television series of the same name.