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Sopranos Family Cookbook As Compiled by Artie Buccco
in KOREAN. Favorite cookbook with beautiful illustrations, translated into Korean.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
109 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Allen Rucker
15 books2 followersAllen Rucker is an American writer and author. Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, he earned a B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis (1967), an M.A. in American Culture from the University of Michigan (1969), and another M.A. in communication from Stanford University (1977).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 18, 2020
Although THE SOPRANOS was a fictional TV show, and "Artie Bucco" a fictional restaurateur, this gathering of Italian and Neapolitan recipes is the real deal. Its 200 pages include such classics as veal cutlet, osso buco, orange and fennel salad, bracioli (meat rolls), Eggs in Purgatory, and "gravy" (the kind of red sauce that takes all day to make). Mostly the book is entirely on the level, with occasional forays into humor, such as when family matriarch Livia Soprano sets the kitchen on fire trying to make her fried mushrooms. Recipes are solid and color photography sumptuous.
March 27, 2020
This feels far more akin to a family heirloom, or scrapbook more than it feels like a cookbook! Whilst the Baked Ziti is to die for - The triumph in this treasure is that when you
Hold it in your hands. You feel like you are a sort of something special, something beloved, that’s sacred and dripping with warmth & an almost tangible but invisible mist of Soprano flavoured scent lines, sometimes you could even swear they permeate a small cavity of the room you’re in.. perhaps in the cornice.. or the grout of the tiles.. but you’ll never be able to find it..
Long live the Soprano’s, so they shall endure through the recipes, wine pairings & artichoke hearts of their most dedicated fans.
Hold it in your hands. You feel like you are a sort of something special, something beloved, that’s sacred and dripping with warmth & an almost tangible but invisible mist of Soprano flavoured scent lines, sometimes you could even swear they permeate a small cavity of the room you’re in.. perhaps in the cornice.. or the grout of the tiles.. but you’ll never be able to find it..
Long live the Soprano’s, so they shall endure through the recipes, wine pairings & artichoke hearts of their most dedicated fans.
December 14, 2020
I know, I know. This book is quite off-mark in comparison to the rest of my reading list. Though I might not share it too much, I'm a big fan of The Sopranos and of Italian(-American) food. Add "discovering the cook in myself during quarantine" to this mix and you'll end up with me reading The Sopranos Cookbook.
Besides the fact that the book is full of amazing recipes for the dishes which made every fan's mouth water when watching the show (the baked ziti is like ambrosia for the Gods), it contains a lot of Sopranos memorabilia which makes it a must have for every fan.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the book is that it gives the reader a unique look into what it means to be Italian-American and the role which food plays in its culture. This mixed in with the entertaining fictionalized portaits of the show's characters and the many delicious recipes makes the book really stand out in its genre.
Whether you have watched The Sopranos or not. You like the show or not, I doubt there is anyone reading this review who doesn't appreciate a delicious, heartwarming Italian meal.
Buon appetito!
Besides the fact that the book is full of amazing recipes for the dishes which made every fan's mouth water when watching the show (the baked ziti is like ambrosia for the Gods), it contains a lot of Sopranos memorabilia which makes it a must have for every fan.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the book is that it gives the reader a unique look into what it means to be Italian-American and the role which food plays in its culture. This mixed in with the entertaining fictionalized portaits of the show's characters and the many delicious recipes makes the book really stand out in its genre.
Whether you have watched The Sopranos or not. You like the show or not, I doubt there is anyone reading this review who doesn't appreciate a delicious, heartwarming Italian meal.
Buon appetito!
April 5, 2020
The humour in this treasure of a cookbook with those witty references to the show are pure gold.
May 16, 2008
I bought this book for Chris back when we were still long distance dating and it immediately became a very useful tool for us. When we would spend weekends together we would cook something out of this book. The recipes are awesome and come out really well! great authentic Italian-American cooking. Seems cheesy at first with the Sopranos stories, but if you can just get past that the actual recipes are fantastic!
January 8, 2020
Honestly, great cookbook. Carmela's section is the best.
October 3, 2019
Finally getting around to watching the series so thought this might be a fun read. I also happen to adore Italian cooking.
Books like this tend to be a little gimmicky, and this is no exception. But there was some humor coming from the different characters narrating their chapters.
What surprised me is the simplicity of some of the recipes. When you watch the show, you get the idea that there's more to the cooking than this . However there were several I would like to try and over all found it an acceptable read.
Books like this tend to be a little gimmicky, and this is no exception. But there was some humor coming from the different characters narrating their chapters.
What surprised me is the simplicity of some of the recipes. When you watch the show, you get the idea that there's more to the cooking than this . However there were several I would like to try and over all found it an acceptable read.
September 2, 2008
Whether you are a Soprano fan or not, these recipes please stomachs of all kinds! I am a Italian and love these recipes. I grew up with watchin my mom, aunt, and grandma cooking many of these dishes. a Wave of nastoglia will come over you awakening your senses and memory.
January 24, 2012
Good recipes: cook like Artie, eat like Tony and feel like a member of the Family
July 16, 2012
I liked this cookbook, but there were only a few recipes that I can use. As a vegetarian many of the recipes are not easily made veggie friendly.
January 7, 2022
When “The Sopranos Family Cookbook (As Compiled by Artie Bucco)” came out 20 years ago, its $28 price tag might’ve garnered it a different reaction. Yes, the hardback glossy looked great, but it was, inescapably, a cynical cash-in to promote an upcoming season. It was likely only the most rabid “Sopranos” fans were satisfied.
However, 20 years later, when you can obtain of this out-of-print book online for a few dollars, it’s not a bad purchase. “The Sopranos Family Cookbook” is essentially Italian recipes intertwined with first-person vignettes from the characters, mostly played for humor.
If you’re a fan of the show (which even its past viewers seem to rediscover regularly), the vignettes are cute. Not gut-bustingly funny, but some of them made me smile. As for the recipes, I don’t think they break any new ground, or would be a revelation to anyone familiar with Italian cooking, but they, too, are good enough… I’m personally curious to try Paulie’s Eggs in Purgatory.
However, 20 years later, when you can obtain of this out-of-print book online for a few dollars, it’s not a bad purchase. “The Sopranos Family Cookbook” is essentially Italian recipes intertwined with first-person vignettes from the characters, mostly played for humor.
If you’re a fan of the show (which even its past viewers seem to rediscover regularly), the vignettes are cute. Not gut-bustingly funny, but some of them made me smile. As for the recipes, I don’t think they break any new ground, or would be a revelation to anyone familiar with Italian cooking, but they, too, are good enough… I’m personally curious to try Paulie’s Eggs in Purgatory.
June 2, 2013
Recipes that are simple and good for every day. Family favourites are the minestra-escarole and little meatballs soup,'Shcarole and Beans soup,and what have become staple dishes for our company on New Years' Day - Quail Sinatra style and Tiramisu.
February 3, 2012
Truly Authentic Recipes- Love this cookbook! I was raised in an Italian family and I love trying to reproduce my Grandmother's sunday gravy (sauce) and the meatballs and everything else- AWESOME book
February 27, 2021
I picked this up from the dollar store, I hadn’t watched the Soprano’s before but I know Italians love their food and big family dinners. So I figured what’s not to like here. Is it a bit cheesy, perhaps. But if you buy into franchises like Disney (like I have) then a themed cookbook sounds entertaining. Recipes are laid out nicely and the character interviews help you grasp a feel of the values within the family (fictional as it may be) it’s the first cookbook I’ve picked up though and thought from just looking at the pictures I want to cook that recipe and set out a big nice table (the meals you want to sit up the fancy dining table and not just eat in the kitchen).
Anyways I’m attempting to cook this week from it, so will perhaps update review. I watched my first episode recently, kind of bummed I didn’t pay more attention to this on its first time around it’s a cool show.
Anyways I’m attempting to cook this week from it, so will perhaps update review. I watched my first episode recently, kind of bummed I didn’t pay more attention to this on its first time around it’s a cool show.
May 28, 2017
This is a good, solid Italian-American cookbook (mostly recipes from Southern Italy). It was enjoyable reading for a fan of the show, but even if you aren't, the recipes are first-rate. The way they're laid out, explained, and annotated make them very easy to follow. There are only a few clinkers in there and that's totally subjective on my part. You might love what I don't like.
Supposedly, all the recipes are from Avellino, a little town in southern Italy--and who am I to argue?
Whatever the case, you'll enjoy it.
Supposedly, all the recipes are from Avellino, a little town in southern Italy--and who am I to argue?
Whatever the case, you'll enjoy it.
October 14, 2022
This cookbook helped me to make the best ziti in my life. All the recipes are simply amazing and the stories from the main characters give you better understanding of the Italian cuisine. Strongly recommend to grab a bottle of Italian wine (Ruffino wine will be the best choice if you know what I mean ;) and make your best meal using the recipe from this cookbook.
January 23, 2023
Other readers stress the uniqueness of the cookbook of being an Italian American and the Naples recipes. Along with interviews of the fictional characters of the Sopranos. Which I wholeheartedly agree. I tried several recipes and they are delicious. My family favorites so far. They are very easy to make. By far this is my favorite cookbook.
December 21, 2020
There are some awesome authentic recipes in here, although the narrative style is a little clunky and breaks the 4th wall in frankly bizarre ways, it did add a little bit to the thematic-ness of the book.
December 29, 2020
This was a Christmas gift from my son. It's a perfect fit for the two of us, since I'm a huge Sopranos fan and he is an aspiring chef, so there's something here for both of us. I loved reading the commentary, and there are a ton of interesting recipes to try. This is a gift that will keep on giving. :D
June 14, 2025
Absolutely wonderful recipes
Most of them are very similar to my family's recipes and give me the taste I am looking for. We NEVER called sauce gravy, but I can ignore that. It's the taste and the style of cooking that is important.
Most of them are very similar to my family's recipes and give me the taste I am looking for. We NEVER called sauce gravy, but I can ignore that. It's the taste and the style of cooking that is important.
November 29, 2018
Fun cookbook for any fan of the show. Now I just need to find a strip club like Tony's and I'm set.
Read
August 9, 2019great recipes
May 1, 2020
It's cute, but the recipes are so-so in my opinion.
August 18, 2020
Perfect gift for any Sopranos fan
March 14, 2022
Great recipes
January 1, 2023
Nice read
This is a nice recipe book. Lots of good recipes and some interesting stories as well. I would recommend it.
This is a nice recipe book. Lots of good recipes and some interesting stories as well. I would recommend it.
March 31, 2023
Delicious and authentic Italian recipes
February 24, 2019
This is another one of my favorite go to cookbooks. The recipes are easy, delicious and practical.
The veal piccata recipe is great I use chicken instead, also the Regina cookies are delicious as well. I cannot think right now of the other recipes that I have tried. This book has been sent as gifts to a couple of my friends.
The veal piccata recipe is great I use chicken instead, also the Regina cookies are delicious as well. I cannot think right now of the other recipes that I have tried. This book has been sent as gifts to a couple of my friends.
September 9, 2017
I'm a BIG fan of the TV series The Sopranos, so immediately when I only saw this cook book I just had to have it :) It's great! If you are a Sopranos fan and a foodie as well, you have to have it. If you watched even only one episode you'll know that the food is an important part of their lives - they are eating something almost constantly!
Lots of family parties, lots of wakes... Christmas dinners, BBQ etc. All the recipes in the book are easy to follow and with very clear instructions. You wont find ingredients that are hard to get, so all the dishes in the book will be available for you to make. The dishes I'm immediately thinking of when watching The Sopranos (mainly because they are 'family favourite and always present) are: Struffoli (p.31), Giambotta (p.42), Manicotti (p.56) or Ziti al Forno.
This book isn't a cook book as we know it. It's more a little history of The Sopranos Family and Italian/USA cooking traditions. The big appeal of this particular book is the way in which it ties into the show itself, which is visible here in the form of in-character narrations (different in each chapter) - Artie Bucco gives the history of Vesuvio's and shares a chapter of restaurant style recipes (he's also the main narrator in the book), Charmaine Bucco discusses the challenges and etiquette of professional catering before revealing some recipes that are easily prepared for a bigger crowd of guests, Adriana La Cerva gives a chapter of romantic recipes and tips for that perfect "dinner for two", Tony himself talks about Perfect grill party and Carmela about family gatherings.
The chapters show characters well too, especially Janice's self-centered and artificial memories of days growing up around the Soprano family table and Uncle Junior's views (not only on food). There are many large photographs from the show as well as some letters and other family keepsakes. If you - as I - love The Sopranos... you really need to have this cookbook in your collection.
Lots of family parties, lots of wakes... Christmas dinners, BBQ etc. All the recipes in the book are easy to follow and with very clear instructions. You wont find ingredients that are hard to get, so all the dishes in the book will be available for you to make. The dishes I'm immediately thinking of when watching The Sopranos (mainly because they are 'family favourite and always present) are: Struffoli (p.31), Giambotta (p.42), Manicotti (p.56) or Ziti al Forno.
This book isn't a cook book as we know it. It's more a little history of The Sopranos Family and Italian/USA cooking traditions. The big appeal of this particular book is the way in which it ties into the show itself, which is visible here in the form of in-character narrations (different in each chapter) - Artie Bucco gives the history of Vesuvio's and shares a chapter of restaurant style recipes (he's also the main narrator in the book), Charmaine Bucco discusses the challenges and etiquette of professional catering before revealing some recipes that are easily prepared for a bigger crowd of guests, Adriana La Cerva gives a chapter of romantic recipes and tips for that perfect "dinner for two", Tony himself talks about Perfect grill party and Carmela about family gatherings.
The chapters show characters well too, especially Janice's self-centered and artificial memories of days growing up around the Soprano family table and Uncle Junior's views (not only on food). There are many large photographs from the show as well as some letters and other family keepsakes. If you - as I - love The Sopranos... you really need to have this cookbook in your collection.
September 25, 2015
I friggin love this book. It was life changing. Really! Before this book, I cooked at home a lot but only had a few basic recipes and methods of preparing food that I stuck to, and supplemented with frozen dinners when I got bored of it all. Most of the cookbooks I'd encountered were like textbooks... pretty dry, small print, small illustrations (half a page sometimes, if you were lucky) everything kinda tightly crammed together in a thick tome. But The Sopranos Family Cookbook is a *novelty* cookbook with lots of space to fill. Here, each recipe gets its own page, with large print, easy-to-follow directions, and pictures that will make your stomach grumble with anticipation. Recipes get grouped together with different characters from the show, and after some regular usage, you'll mentally link recipes to character sections and be able to find the page you're looking for in seconds. The book also gives good advice about where to cut corners, as should be the case with any wiseguy-themed book. You'll know when you should go with canned food, and when you should make it yourself. I'd like to someday try making all the recipes in this book, but currently I've only made about half, with meals like Pork Chops with Vinegar Peppers becoming a monthly staple for me. I now also have practice, skill, and a courage to try unusual recipes which has carried me on to different cookbooks. I owe all the variety in my current diet (and the almost total disappearance of frozen meals) to this Family cookbook... and hopefully the Family doesn't come to collect on that sizable debt any time soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews