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![Caroline Manzo Dishes Up Italian American Recipes in ‘Food & Other Things I Love’ Caroline Manzo wearing colorful shirt against orange background with outlines of tomatoes](https://aarp.widen.net/content/7r20hsut9o/jpeg/1140-cookbook-carolinemanzo-promo-v2.jpg?crop=true&anchor=0,0&q=80&color=ffffffff&u=7xsf69&w=1140&h=655)
Fans of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey know Caroline Manzo, 63, for her no-nonsense personality and loyal approach to family. And she’s always had a deep love of the food that brings Italian American families like hers together. Manzo was introduced to audiences in 2009, along with her sister, Dina Manzo (now Dina Cantin); sister-in-law, Jacqueline Laurita; Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub. The show ran for 14 seasons, and Manzo also starred in Manzo’d With Children for three seasons starting in 2014. (Where to watch TRHONJ.)
Eight years ago, while recovering from a broken foot, she began compiling treasured recipes along with photos of the dishes to give to her three children — Albie, 37, Lauren, 36, and Christopher, 35. When other people began requesting copies of the recipes, she asked a friend in the publishing industry about the possibility of writing a cookbook. The result is Food & Other Things I Love: More Than 100 Italian American Recipes from My Family to Yours, in which Manzo blends personal stories with recipes of her favorite dishes.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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For home cooks who have been cooking for ages, what is one new kitchen skill you recommend learning?
I don’t think it’s any particular skill, because I think everybody cooks at their own pace and in their own way. The most important thing I would suggest is to take the fear out of cooking. [Don’t think] I’m not good enough or I don’t know how. The way I cook is very simple, with very few ingredients in each recipe, and there’s beauty in that simplicity. There’s nothing more loving and intimate than feeding someone. It sustains life. There’s no reason to not try it yourself.
You and your husband Albert, 64, celebrated your 40th wedding anniversary this year. What is Albert’s most requested dish that you make?
Albert’s most requested dish from me would probably be my Eggplant Parmesan. He loves it.
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