Episode Details

Darin is joined by author and content creator Danny Freeman to talk about his new cookbook, Italianish: Modern Twists on Classic Italian Flavors, out August 26. They dive into how his grandma shaped his love for Italian cooking, why tradition is meant to evolve, and what it means to bring creativity into the kitchen without losing its soul. Danny shares his Five Rules for Modernizing Italian food, from changing up formats to embracing shortcuts, and even using an ingredient rarely seen in a nonna’s kitchen. It’s a warm, honest conversation about honoring where you come from while cooking for the life you’re living now. If you’ve ever wanted to shake up a classic red sauce or make a lasagna your own, this one’s for you.

A message from the Independent Hospitality Coalition for those being affected by ICE raids in Los Angeles:

Attention restaurant owners, be prepared. Thank you to everyone who has shared information that has allowed us to plan.As if restaurant owners and hospitality workers did not have enough to worry about. Our kitchens are what they are because of are immigrant community. ICE is plucking people from our community in the name of law and order, we know the truth.History will remember this moment.

Un mensaje de la Independent Hospitality Coalition para quienes están siendo afectados por las redadas de ICE en Los Ángeles:

Atención dueños de restaurantes: prepárense. Gracias a todos los que han compartido información que nos ha permitido organizarnos.

Como si los dueños de restaurantes y trabajadores de hospitalidad no tuvieran ya suficientes preocupaciones. Nuestras cocinas son lo que son gracias a nuestra comunidad inmigrante. ICE está arrancando a personas de nuestra comunidad en nombre de la ley y el orden —pero nosotros conocemos la verdad.

La historia recordará este momento.

[00:00:00] Darin Hello, and welcome to Five Rules for the Good Life. I'm your host, Darin Bresnitz. Today, we are chatting with author and content creator, Danny Freeman, whose new book, Italianish, Modern Twists on Classic Italian Flavors, comes out on August 26th. We have a. Fun conversation about his deep love and deep roots tied to Italian cooking. We talked about how he honors his grandmother's approach in the kitchen, how he's updated some of his favorite dishes for his family and a secret ingredient that you shouldn't be afraid to use when cooking some of your favorite Italian recipes. Let's get into the rules. Danny, it's so nice to meet you. Congratulations on your second book, Italian-ish modern twist on classic Italian flavor. How does book number two feel compared to book number one?

[00:00:54] Danny It's exciting. It's very exciting. I would say it was easier in some ways because I had been through it before, but a lot harder in other ways. My first book was really a manual on how to make fresh pasta, which is something I have done a million times. This is a more traditional cookbook in that it's got soup, salad, appetizers, desserts. I was coming up with a hundred plus recipes from scratch and making them all over and over again and testing them, so it was exciting, but it a lot of work.

[00:01:20] Darin I have to imagine like any