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Chiara Montalto Giannini

By training, Chiara Montalto Giannini is an actress and a writer, but she has been cooking since before she can remember. As an actress and a writer, her solo play, A Brooklyn Love Story – based on the decade she spent living in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn with her grandfather – was produced Off Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York and at Theatre 68 in Los Angeles, where it was directed by Ronnie Marmo. Currently, she is the Director of the Writers Guild Initiative, a non-profit affiliated with the WGAE that shares the tools of writing and creative expression with different communities. She’s also a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild. At Appetito, Chiara will share recipes from her childhood and those she has learned through her extensive pursuit of Italian food both here and abroad.

How to Make a Slow-Churned Plum Gelato at Home

Our contributor explains why gelato tastes so different in Italy and provides a recipe that rivals that of Il Bel Paese.

How to Make an Italian Ice Cream Cake that Is Perfect for Summer

Our contributor shares her no-churn method for making an ice cream cake or "semifreddo" to keep cool this summer.

How to Make Semifreddo to Stay Refreshed This Summer

Our contributor continues her refreshing summer dessert series with an original semifreddo recipe that requires no special equipment.

A Torta Caprese Riff Perfect for Spring Gatherings

Our contributor kicks off a spring dessert series with a riff on a classic Torta Caprese that features white chocolate and citrus.

Roasted Fennel With Breadcrumbs

Roasted fennel becomes a savory, caramelized side dish in this recipe that pairs the flavorful, bulbous vegetable with breadcrumbs and cheese.

Escarole Salad With Endive and Radicchio 

A favorite leafy green from cooked preparations, escarole, takes center stage in this refreshingly crunchy salad that co-stars endive and radicchio.

Orange and Pomegranate Non-Alcoholic Spritz

As part of her series on what to eat and drink as winter turns to spring, Chiara Montalto Giannini recommends this spritz, made in honor of her grandfather.

The Winter Vegetable Series Part 2, Radicchio Risotto

Our contributor continues her series on Winter Vegetables with a comforting risotto made with her beloved radicchio.

The Winter Vegetable Series, Part 1: Peperonata

Our contributor kicks off a Winter Vegetable series with a sauteed pepper dish that works in so many ways.