The Vatican Cookbook: Presented by the Pontifical Swiss Guard

by The Pontifical Swiss Guard, Erwin Niederberger, Thomas Kelly

From the Pope's table to yours . . .

Pontifical Swiss Guard presents ... a book like no other. From the elite protectors of the Popes and Defenders of the Faith for more than 500 years, a unique collection of exceptional recipes from simple to sublime, everyday staples to holiday feasts. Here are the classics served at Vatican tables for centuries and the finest of modern cuisine.

Best of all, we pay tribute to Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI and Holy Pope John Paul II with the personal favorite dishes from their homelands of Argentina, Bavaria, and Poland.

A marvelous cookbook and so much more. The Vatican Cookbook features superb photographs that take us behind the scenes to secret and special places of Vatican City. Walk the hallowed halls of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy the stories and legends of the Swiss Guard handed down since the days of Michelangelo.

For all who love to cook and share meals with family and friends, and for all who are fascinated by the wonders and the grandeur of the Vatican, the Swiss Guard is pleased to offer you ... The Vatican Cookbook.

Genres: Cookbooks, Catholic, Nonfiction, Cooking

204 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2016

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook was assembled by the Pontifical Swiss Guard and it caught my attention for that reason. In addition to some very good recipes and photos of each dish, it includes quite a bit of information about the history of the Swiss Guard detachment that provides security for the Pope. The book also includes beautiful photographs of St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican and its museums, artworks, and properties.

Favorite recipes of Guard members and well as favorites of Popes John Paul, Benedict, and Francis are included.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous, lavishly illustrated coffee-table style cookbook by and about the Pontifical Swiss Guard. As well as being a cookbook, this book also covers the history and other aspects of the Swiss Guard. It also showcases some of the beautiful art treasures in Vatican City and Castel Gandolfo. The recipes, of course, are Mediterranean, mostly Italian, Swiss, and German and include some holiday offerings. The book has a full page of common table prayers.

[ChristineK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleased to learn about the history of the Pontifical Swiss Guard and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Swiss Guard of today in this beautiful book. There is interesting information on other Vatican personnel and recent popes, uniforms of the Guard, and how they celebrate holidays at the Vatican. The recipes are in honor of the popes, cardinals, officers of the Guard, Patron Saints of the Guard, holidays, etc. There is a photo of every recipe. The book is full of wonderful pictures: the Swiss Guards, popes, cardinals, iconic art, places in the Vatican.....

[Sonja Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book

Beautifully illustrated with detailed information on the Guards, their role and life in the Holy See. The recipes (especially the risottos) are easy to use with readily available ingredients.
It’s disappointing not to have a selection of desserts and pastries, although the pastas, soups and main meals will be definite family menus!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookbook Recipes: 2 stars
Images & Swiss Guard Info: 5 stars

This is a beautiful coffee table cookbook featuring the Pope's private security force - the Swiss Guard. It features favorite meals of the last 3 Popes as well as the Swiss Guard. Interspersed with these recipes is information about the Swiss Guard; their history, training and life in the service. There are beautiful images from the Vatican on almost every page, including the private areas accessible to the guards.

I happily discovered this book at the library and spent an hour hungrily devouring the photos and information on the Swiss Guard. I loved seeing Pope St. JPII again as well as Pope Benedict! The recipes included good Polish and Italian dishes, but seemed a bit fussy. Apparently, the book was put together by a member of the Swiss Guard who is also a world-renowned chef. Way beyond my cooking abilities!

For me, this book was worth spending time with for the photos and information on the Swiss Guard alone.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vatican Cookbook is beautiful and I really loved the snippets of the traditional meals and desserts, and the different sections of the cookbook. I am glad I got it out of the library, though, because not all of the meals seem accessible and it's also a physically giant book.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is as much about the Swiss Guard as it is a cookbook, but I counted that as a plus. With the brief biographies and history of the Guard, plus the gorgeous photography, I wound up feeling as if I'd gotten an insider's tour of the Vatican and met some of the people who live and work there. One interesting point, which shows just how varied the Swiss Guard's members are, is that the person who wrote the recipes was an accomplished and respected master chef before he left that behind to join up.

The recipes themselves range from gourmet to such familiar basics as Spaghetti Carbonara. They are drawn from the home country favorites of Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and Holy Pope John Paul II which is another nice touch that makes you feel a bit of connection with the Vatican. Also included are favorites of major Vatican and Swiss Guard officials, so there is a wider range than you might expect.

This is a lovely coffee table book but I plan on trying out some of the recipes too. It would make a perfect special occasion gift for your favorite Catholic friends.

I did NOT get this as a review book but spent my own hard earned cash on it. It is just the sort of book my beloved mother-in-law would have gotten me for my birthday were she still alive. So I stood in for her.

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't always go through the point of listing a cookbook as something that I have read but this book genuinely had a good deal to read in it beyond recipes. There is history for the last few Popes as well as bits of information about the Vatican and the Swiss Guard. The photos in this book are absolutely beautiful and I suspect that the foods are delicious - but I'm not sure how practical most are to make. I made a note of a couple that I might try out, though.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cookbook tells the story of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, who are the protectors of the Pope and Vatican City. Features favorite recipes of Popes Francis, Benedict XVI, St John Paul II, and the guards themselves. There are many beautiful photos throughout the book. Most of the recipes are savory but there are a few sweets as well.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fun book. The recipes are interesting and look delicious; the back story for each plate - detailed.

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just as much an informational book about the Swiss Guard and life at the Vatican, as it is recipes.

[Shawn Hoskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recipes, the photographs, the stories of the Swiss Guard are all wonderful to have. Each recipe has a notation of which person or Pope favors it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulous cookbook gives great information about The Vatican, the Swiss guard, and several Popes' favorites! Great recipes and a fun read!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photography, interesting history of the Swiss Guard, and recipes that sound delicious.