Italian food is basically very simple with its roots drawn from peasant cooking. It was the farmers and shepherds who developed the natural taste of vegetables and meat, and the fishermen who cooked their seafood so skillfully. For centuries, Italy has had Popes, Courts and great families who have brought a more sophisticated and lavish style to the cuisine. The blending of these two styles of cooking has resulted in "la buona cucina casalinga" or good home cooking!