Gino D’Acampo serves up fried aubergine with juicy tomato and soft mozzarella topped with aromatic basil and olive oil dressing on Gino’s Italian Escape: A Taste of the Sun.

Gino makes is tasty looking dish in the gastronomic region of Emilia-Romagna. The special climate and fertile soil make this one of the world leaders in producing food served at the top restaurants catering for royals and celebrities.

Emilia-Romagna is also famous for its outstanding cured meats. While in the region Gino discovers an ancient cellar packed with ‘the King of cured meats’ – culatello. These prized, refined hams hang like mysterious bats from the cellar roof and Gino is thrilled to find a culatello reserved especially for Prince Charles!

The area is also home to one of Italy’s best-loved hard cheeses – Parmesan. After buying a wedge of one of Italy’s finest – parmigiano reggiano – Gino uses it to enhance his colourful dish of fried aubergine, juicy tomato and soft mozzarella.

Gino’s recipe is available in his new book:A Taste of the Sun: Gino’s Italian Escape (Book 2) available at Amazon.