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Franny's: Simple, Seasonal, Italian

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Simple, Seasonal, Italian

377 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2013

61 people are currently reading
170 people want to read

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5 stars
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29 (20%)
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Caitlin Hawksley.
30 reviews11 followers
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.)
Profile Image for Kristen.
850 reviews7 followers
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.
Profile Image for Victoria.
477 reviews42 followers
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.
Profile Image for Sandra Noel.
458 reviews
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.
Profile Image for Phaedra.
698 reviews
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.
Profile Image for Minneapolani.
49 reviews2 followers
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.
Profile Image for Shirley.
671 reviews7 followers
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.
Profile Image for Beka.
2,949 reviews
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!
Profile Image for Pinky.
7,034 reviews23 followers
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.
503 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2014
Chickpea and kale soup
Broccoli soup
Pork sausage ragu
Good summer CSA to try
Profile Image for Beverly.
405 reviews
Read
November 22, 2014
My 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.
Profile Image for ASVY.
72 reviews13 followers
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

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