Pasta is the world's favorite food, and in her marvelous new cookbook, Marlena Spieler reminds us why. Aimed at cooks of all levels, "Pasta is a truly definitive collection of recipes for every occasion. From the extravagant and exotic Truffled Goat's Cheese Ravioli to the simple, rustic Chickpea Soup with Orzo, these are dishes bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Whether you want a simple, healthy snack or a quick meal for the whole family, "Pasta has the perfect recipe. Add to this a little of the history behind pasta and a lot of Marlena's love for her subject, and you have a book that's a sheer delight to use and peruse. Marlena Spieler, who divides her time between England and the San Francisco Bay Area, has been a food columnist for the "SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE for 13 years; she also writes for many magazines, including "BON APPETIT and "SAVEUR. Among her books are "The Classic Barbecue and Grill Cookbook, Vegetable, and "Peppers, Peppers, Peppers.