Food Network television personality and show host Giada De Laurentiis is back with another volume, "Giada at Home: Family Recipes from Italy and California," (Clarkson Potter; $35). The signature collection offers a look into how she cooks for family and friends with classic and contemporary recipes inspired by traditional family favorites and the freshness of California cuisine.

She keeps things simple (without compromising taste and looks) with lots of tempting brunch ideas along with appetizers, pasta, sandwiches, salads, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry and desserts - all terrific for weeknight meals, family celebrations or feasting on the patio on weekend mornings. Among them are Red Snapper With Fava Bean Puree, Penne With Treviso (a leafy vegetable) and Goat Cheese; Gorgonzola and Porcini Mushroom Risotto; Egg-White Frittata With Lox and Arugula; Mozzarella, Raspberry and Brown Sugar Panini; and Chocolate Honey Almond Tart.

The sinfully rich Espresso Caramel Bars are really irresistible and worth the time (you make the chewy caramel center).

- Natalie Haughton, Los Angeles Daily News