Al Forno: Oven-Baked Dishes from Italy

Al Forno, in English means baked in the oven. It's warming, it's easy, it's friendly enough for a casual family meal-or elegant enough to delight your dinner party guests. And, as author Maxine Clark points out, these dishes can often be prepared in advance and reheated just before serving. Try Italians baked vegetables, among the world's best, such as Parmigiana di Melanzane (eggplant, tomato, and Parmesan layers). The succulent baked fish dishes include Sea Bass with Roasted Fennel and Olives, and among the meat and chicken recipes are White Beans with Tomatoes, Sage and Italian Sausages and Chicken Roasted with Lemon and Bay Leaves. You can finish the meal with Baked Figs with Vanilla and Lemon. These comforting dishes are all enticingly photographed by Peter Cassidy.