Michela's Tuscan Kitchen

Michela Chiappa helps to harvest saffron in medieval San Gimignano and visits one of the most famous gelaterias in the Tuscan region. Inspired by her journey she makes decadent fresh saffron tagliatelle with a prawn and clam sauce, Chiappa family favorite meatball skewers and Affogato, a simple dessert of coffee, ice cream and amaretti.

Back in the kitchen Michela takes inspiration from her travels to cook up an exquisite Bolognese for all the family with a Tuscan bean twist, a classic Italian pesto - made with beautiful pecorino from the region, and with sister Emi by her side, boozy but comforting pears poached in wine, an ideal dessert to end dinner.

Michela visits the region of Tuscany known for its fresh produce, visiting the coastal city of Livorno with its wonderful seafood, and a Tuscan village to make fresh Pici pasta with the locals. Back at home Michela serves Bagna Cauda, a warm creamy anchovy based sauce, a quick but simple and delicious Tuna and Lemon Spaghetti, and the classic Italian biscuit Cantuccini.

Michela finds delicious deep fried polenta in Livorno - a traditional street food snack, a deli specializing in wild boar products in San Gimignano and bee keeps in Montalcino. Excited by her finds Michela returns to the kitchen to cook up crispy polenta with melted cheese, a Chippa take on saltimbocca - chicken wrapped in Parma ham, and a sumptuous pear, honey and almond cake to finish.

The Welsh Italian home cook explores the butchers, markets and restaurants of the region discovering delectable local produce. Along with sister Emi, Michela serves us pork with mango and peperoncino, then turns her attention to an easy cheats version of mushroom risotto made with porcini mushrooms, followed by a simple dessert of fresh roasted peaches and orange syrup.

A trip to a red onion farm in Certaldo in the region of Tuscany inspires a mouth-watering Panzanella salad. Michela follows up further travels round the region with a warming pork dish of pork medallions, with onion, apple and cider and a Chiappa coffee classic Torta di Moka - a boozy coffee biscuit based dessert adapted from Nonna's original recipe.

Michela samples the delights of fresh truffles grown in the hills around Siena, revives her love for chickpeas and tastes potent ponce with the locals of Livorno - a rum based drink with a kick. Back in the kitchen Michela cooks up baked eggs with truffle oil, a delicious chickpea and lemon salad and a dessert of apricot and rum crostata.

From exploring an olive estate during the annual olive harvest in the south of the region, to tasting Livorno's most famous fish dish cacciucco, Michela samples the best of local produce. She follows up her journey with balsamic glaze and flavored oils, Chiappa fish stew and family favorite polenta, almond and orange cake.

Michela introduces us to the pleasures of aperitivo hour, a traditional pre-dinner drink with snacks, prompting a delightful chicken liver pate recipe. Later uncovering the best seasonal locally grown fruit and veg, and the creamiest of ricottas, Michela dishes up a twist on an old favorite with a wonderful porcini mushroom lasagne, and a simple but tasty pudding of ricotta cream.

Joined by sisters Emi and Romina in the kitchen, the trio cook rainbow ricotta gnocchi, adding color to an Italian favorite. Michela continues with a twist on fish and chips with seabass in a bag, a super healthy steamed parcel of fish and veg, and after visiting an artisan bakery in Siena makes a classic Italian cake.