Beaneaters & Bread Soup by Lori De Mori and Jason Lowe brings Tuscany to life. Known for its luscious landscapes, powerful paintings and holiday hideaways, Tuscany maintains a rich and varied food culture. Here you’ll discover it.

Through essays on the food craftsmen (and sorry girls, they are all men), each accompanied by gutsy, authentic recipes, you’ll meet the beekeeper with his wealth of mono-floral honeys, the chestnut grower, potter and many more. All share an integrity, passion and belief in excellence.

But why Beaneaters & Bread Soup? As the authors explain, beans are a staple and such a fixture “in the Tuscan kitchen that the toscani are nicknamed mangiafagioli (beaneaters) by fellow Italians.” As for bread, anyone who’s visited is bound to remember ‘proper’ Tuscan bread. It’s dense, chewy, and salt-free – apparently a protest against a tax – and ends up in such soups and salads as pappa del pomodoro or panzanella.

Jason’s photographs capture the region and food. I was lucky to work with him on (my) Farmers' Market Cookbook and fell in love with his vision and ability to pinpoint the essence of a story or a dish. Flick through the pages and you’ll see for yourself.  But the recipes mustn’t be forgotten…..apart from the bread & beans aplenty, there’s Polenta with Cuttlefish or Upside-down Apricot Cake (roll on summer) as well as our FoodLovers featured recipes opposite. Authentic and easy to follow, they’re ideal for any Food Lover hankering for those rolling hills and stone farmhouses shining in the Mediterranean sun.