Bensonhurst-born home cook, photographer and graphic designer Daniel Paterna is dishing up more than mouthwatering recipes in his new cookbook, “Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Brooklyn Italian’s Recipes Celebrating Food & Family.” Through lovingly rendered photographs, readers also get a taste of the neighborhood’s little Italian bakeries, butcher shops and corner stores, alongside a highly personal family memoir. 

The Bensonhurst backdrop gives rich context to recipes for dishes like arancini, eggplant parmesan and Paterna’s favorite, torta dolce di ricotta, a traditional Italian cheesecake made with ricotta instead of cream cheese. “I think anyone that has it is kind of over the moon,” said Paterna. “You can’t not like it.”