What do you think?
Rate this book
Franny's: Simple, Seasonal, Italian
Simple, Seasonal, Italian
377 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2013
60 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2018
Sections: Crostini, fritti, salads, soup, vegetables, fish, meat, pasta, pizza, desserts, cocktails and other drinks
Pros: Brimming with a robust variety of courses, this cookbook provides step-by-step instructions for recipes ranging from tomato sauce to porchetta.
Cons: I hate to say it, but even with a copyright of 2013, the design and visuals of this cookbook feel dated. I was not a fan of the smattering of black-and-white food photos. Some of the ingredients may be difficult to find at the local grocery store (bottarga, various olives, moscato vinegar, dandelion greens, controne beans, sunchokes, caciocavallo cheese, etc.).
No, thank you: Penne with zucchini and mint (This was just mediocre to us.); bucatini fra diavolo (The sauce had great heat and nuance but was simply too oily.)
Favorites: Ricotta crostini with olives and pistachios (Snappy and pleasantly salty with the perfect combination of textures.); flowering broccoli pizza (Great flavors; beautiful pizza.); red rice salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn (A simple salad that captures the essence of summer.)
Pros: Brimming with a robust variety of courses, this cookbook provides step-by-step instructions for recipes ranging from tomato sauce to porchetta.
Cons: I hate to say it, but even with a copyright of 2013, the design and visuals of this cookbook feel dated. I was not a fan of the smattering of black-and-white food photos. Some of the ingredients may be difficult to find at the local grocery store (bottarga, various olives, moscato vinegar, dandelion greens, controne beans, sunchokes, caciocavallo cheese, etc.).
No, thank you: Penne with zucchini and mint (This was just mediocre to us.); bucatini fra diavolo (The sauce had great heat and nuance but was simply too oily.)
Favorites: Ricotta crostini with olives and pistachios (Snappy and pleasantly salty with the perfect combination of textures.); flowering broccoli pizza (Great flavors; beautiful pizza.); red rice salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and corn (A simple salad that captures the essence of summer.)
January 7, 2021
Lots of great recipes to try. Some pretty complex for me but i think doable for a more experienced chef. I'm going to give many a try! Like the history immersed throughout and thought it was great to highlight their co-workers.
September 1, 2019
Not for me, it's full of ingredients that would be hard to find in my area.
February 2, 2021
Love this book. Fresh Italian is so much more than pizza and pastas!
April 25, 2021
Argh! Out of print... time to hit my favorite used bookstore.
July 2, 2013
For this and other reviews please visit Zemfirka Blogs...
Egalley courtesy of Artisan via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
From the owners of the Brooklyn’s franny’s, Francine Stephens and Andrew Feinberg, with the help of food writer, NY Times food columnist, and native Brooklynite herself – Mellisa Clark, comes a cookbook filled with many simple, seasonal, Italian recipes. Similar to the mantra of their restaurant this cookbook follows into the mission of its namesake restaurant by further promoting the idea of increasing sustainability by offering various ideas for use of seasonal, locally grown food, so you too can partake in their mission.
I have to admit, I have not spent a great deal of time with this particular cookbook, but I’ve browsed through the recipes and can certainly see the appeal. Most of the recipes are very approachable. Using easy to find ingredients, and none of the fancy cooking techniques a lot of the restaurant cookbooks tend to suggest. I can see myself executing these dishes at home.
I have not heard of franny’s prior to getting this cookbook. But, through research I find that this place is well loved by its patrons and I can see why. You probably heard me say this before that it is my belief – easy dishes are often best. In fact, less is more is my personal approach. Few, simple ingredients can produce wonderful results. And Franny’s: Simple Seasonal Italian has plenty of such recipes for you to try or inspire your own creations. From Arugula Salad with Pecorino and Lemon (a 4-ingredient dish, not counting salt & pepper) to a more complicated take on an upscale tuna sandwich in Spuma di Tonno and Sal Secco Olives, some of these dishes are bound to catch your eye.
Great dishes, simple ingredients: appetizers, salads, fish, meat, pasta and pizza (that first made this restaurant famous). They even have desserts and cocktails covered. I would only note one thing, that when it comes to cookbooks, I am very visual. And, I found this cookbook lacking in photography a bit. Nevertheless, I can certainly say that if you are a fan of Italian cuisine, this cookbook is a great buy.
Egalley courtesy of Artisan via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
From the owners of the Brooklyn’s franny’s, Francine Stephens and Andrew Feinberg, with the help of food writer, NY Times food columnist, and native Brooklynite herself – Mellisa Clark, comes a cookbook filled with many simple, seasonal, Italian recipes. Similar to the mantra of their restaurant this cookbook follows into the mission of its namesake restaurant by further promoting the idea of increasing sustainability by offering various ideas for use of seasonal, locally grown food, so you too can partake in their mission.
I have to admit, I have not spent a great deal of time with this particular cookbook, but I’ve browsed through the recipes and can certainly see the appeal. Most of the recipes are very approachable. Using easy to find ingredients, and none of the fancy cooking techniques a lot of the restaurant cookbooks tend to suggest. I can see myself executing these dishes at home.
I have not heard of franny’s prior to getting this cookbook. But, through research I find that this place is well loved by its patrons and I can see why. You probably heard me say this before that it is my belief – easy dishes are often best. In fact, less is more is my personal approach. Few, simple ingredients can produce wonderful results. And Franny’s: Simple Seasonal Italian has plenty of such recipes for you to try or inspire your own creations. From Arugula Salad with Pecorino and Lemon (a 4-ingredient dish, not counting salt & pepper) to a more complicated take on an upscale tuna sandwich in Spuma di Tonno and Sal Secco Olives, some of these dishes are bound to catch your eye.
Great dishes, simple ingredients: appetizers, salads, fish, meat, pasta and pizza (that first made this restaurant famous). They even have desserts and cocktails covered. I would only note one thing, that when it comes to cookbooks, I am very visual. And, I found this cookbook lacking in photography a bit. Nevertheless, I can certainly say that if you are a fan of Italian cuisine, this cookbook is a great buy.
January 25, 2014
I am addicted to Italian cookbooks. I fell in love with the food on a visit Sicily, and have cooked more Italian than anything every since. "Franny's Simple, Seasonal, Italian" sucked me in immediately. This book is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Lovely recipes such as "Warm Controne Bean Salad with Radicchio and Pancetta" (lets face it--if it has pancetta in it, it HAS to be good!!), "Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Almonds and Pecorino", (my FAVORITE cheese of all time!), "Spaghetti with Herbs and Ricotta" (classic Italian simplicity) and "Pistachio Cake" fill this book. The photos are lovely, though I wish there were more of them, and just reading the recipes starts my gastric juices flowing! I highly recommend other Italian food lovers to try out this book.
My biggest issue was with the xantham gum in all the gelatos and sorbettos. I make gelato fairly regularly, and never have to resort to xanthum gum to get good results. I could have done without the chapter on cocktails, but that's pretty easy to ignore.
Over all, this is a great cookbook to fill those Italian cravings, and would be a great addition to anyone's collection of cookbooks.
I received a copy of this book from Artisan Books for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My biggest issue was with the xantham gum in all the gelatos and sorbettos. I make gelato fairly regularly, and never have to resort to xanthum gum to get good results. I could have done without the chapter on cocktails, but that's pretty easy to ignore.
Over all, this is a great cookbook to fill those Italian cravings, and would be a great addition to anyone's collection of cookbooks.
I received a copy of this book from Artisan Books for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 17, 2013
Love that the flavors are meant to shine through on their own. I'm not a fan of making everything with stock & it was lovely to see several things made with WATER. Lots of great things in this book.
September 26, 2013
I love that they're presenting a different view of Italian cuisine with such simple recipes. I hope it breaks the hold of the spaghetti-and-meatballs Italian cuisine stereotype a bit, there's so much more.
June 12, 2016
This one is not for me. Buying equipment i.e. Kitchen Aid and attachments are pricey for a pizza. Leaving an oven on for an hour to heat the stone is also pricey and not realistic in the 110 degree temps of the summer. If I used quality products the pizza might cost $60 wow not realistic for me.
December 1, 2014
Some cookbooks make you want to cook, others make you want to eat. This book made me want to visit Franny's for several dinners. Delish!
September 9, 2021
Want to try the Spring Onion Frittata, Ramp Zeppole, and the Mascarpone Honey Gelato recipes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2014
Chickpea and kale soup
Broccoli soup
Pork sausage ragu
Good summer CSA to try
Broccoli soup
Pork sausage ragu
Good summer CSA to try
Read
November 22, 2014My cooking group cooked about 10 dishes from this book. All of them were really tasty, and not fussy. Just really good ingredients combined in delicious ways.
September 28, 2015
Gravitated toward pizza, cake, and drink recipes. Must try!
November 18, 2015
I love these recipes, tried 15 of them already, all delicious! The design of the book itself is beautiful, very colorful illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews