Sometimes, less is more. For instance, a little cube of pesto tucked away in an ice cube tray in the freezer can change the flavor profile of a pot of soup. Same goes for that half cup of marinara sauce you were tempted to toss. Save it in the fridge and add it to a roasted chicken for a different taste without a lot of effort.

These are some of the simple kitchen truths that are the basis of Lidia's Commonsense Italian Cooking (Knopf, $35), the new book from PBS celebrity chef, author and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich.

Read more

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/