Cooking like a boss with Buddy Valastro

When people say they love Italian food, chances are they're referring to pizza and pasta. But there are so many dishes just waiting to be discovered, like the filled dinner crepe Manicotti, Gnocchi dumplings, veal Saltimbocca veal, and sweet custard Zabaglione.

 

"There is way more to Italian food than pizza and pasta, so I would say the next time you go out for Italian, look for something on the menu that you’ve never had," says “Cake Boss” star Buddy Valastro, who will be sharing his favorite Italian dishes in “Kitchen Boss,” a new series on the cable channel TLC.

 

If eating out doesn't appeal to you, watching the series just might inspire you to cook your own Italian-themed feast at home. 

 

"’Kitchen Boss’ allows me to share my own recipes and my family’s best recipes with my fans all over the world. I like to think it’s different from other cooking shows in the way that there is a more personal connection not only to the food, but to the fans too," says Valastro in an email interview with GMA News Online.

 

“Cake Boss” followed Valastro as he and his family operated their business Carlo’s Bakery, which was acquired by his grandfather Bartolo Valastro Sr. in 1964. Valastro began baking at an early age, and is now an award-winning cake decorator. 

 

Traditional Italian meals

 

This time, the master baker shows that he can also cook in the new daytime series. “Kitchen Boss” will feature recipes that include Valastro's specialties, like risotto and veal, as well as never-before-revealed family secrets from his Grandma Maddalena, Auntie Anna, wife Lisa, and pizza-connoisseur father-in-law Mauro. 

 

Apart from members of the Valastro family, close friends of the chef will also guest on the 40-part series. From date night with his wife to sports night with his buddies, Valastro will take his viewers on a culinary trip all over Italy.

 

"With a genuine passion for cooking and upholding Italian traditions, Buddy goes back to basics and breaks down complicated signature dishes into easy-to-execute recipes, transforming everyday meals into memorable events," reads a press release from TLC.

 

Valastro will demonstrate how to prepare the traditional Italian meals that he grew up on, from savory and sweet classics like spaghetti marinara and the perfect Italian chicken cutlet. 

 

"Everybody knows me for my cakes, but I also wanted to share my favorite dishes with my fans. I’m a boss in the kitchen too!" says Valastro.

 

Making Sunday Gravy

 

Valastro says a must-watch episode is the one where he makes his family's Sunday Gravy. "It’s a recipe that is very important to me, and it’s delicious," he says. 

 

Another dish that's close to his heart is his pasta with pancetta and pink sauce. "My family loves it, so when I can, I make it for them from scratch so everything is really fresh and delicious," shares Valastro.

 

While he'll be featuring traditional dishes, the New Jersey-raised chef doesn't frown on a little experimenting. For instance, he shares that substituting ingredients is allowed to a certain degree. "I would say don’t substitute an ingredient if the quality is being compromised," he says. 

 

Valastro's advice when it comes to ingredients is to make quality a priority. "Making sure your produce is fresh is key. Ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh garlic. There are also some tried and true products known for their quality, so do a little research for each recipe and go out and grab the best you can get," he says.

 

He also says that it's important to follow instructions and take things slowly. 

 

"I try not to make it too hard, but just go step-by-step. Never rush through a recipe. Make sure you have quality ingredients and the right tools and you’ll be the boss of your kitchen in no time," he says. –KG, GMA News

 

“Kitchen Boss” airs on TLC every Thursday at 7 p.m. starting July 19. Encores are scheduled every Thursday at 1 p.m., Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Sunday at 8 a.m. All photos courtesy of TLC