Star Kitchen: Debi Mazar

Although Debi Mazar isn't technically Italian, the actress says she has always felt like a native. She grew up surrounded by Italian friends in Queens, N.Y., and her big break —; before her most notable role as a tough-talking Hollywood publicist on Entourage — was as a saucy Italian mistress in Goodfellas.

Before Debi and husband Gabriele started shooting their new show, Extra Virgin, on Cooking Channel, producers asked them to paint their white walls to add depth to the small space on camera. The couple chose this turquoise color to match the kitchen tiles.

The couple constantly uses this $10 metal grill pan they picked up in Italy to make bruschetta. Perforations in the pan let the flames toast the bread without drying it out. For a similar effect, Debi recommends heating bread in any grill pan over a high flame for a few minutes on each side. "Just don't press down on it or you'll get a cracker," Gabriele says.

Lush landscaping outside the kitchen windows reminds Debi and Gabriele of their second house near Florence. Just as in Italy, they eat most of their meals out back, next to a pizza oven that Gabriele built.