Italy Today: The Beautiful Cookbook

by Lorenza de'Medici, Fred Plotkin

First published in 1988, Italy the Beautiful Cookbook (200,000 copies sold) set the standard for exquisite presentation of Italy's authentic cuisine, combining recipes with scenic photography and details of each region. Now, nine years later, with worldwide interest in Italian food booming and a new Italian cuisine emerging, this new book has new power to satisfy the cook and traveler in us all. With the accelerated pace of contemporary life, Italians have had to change their style of eating. This has created fresh ideas, quick approaches to the classics, rediscovered heritage dishes, and a more relaxed way of assembling menus. This new style is reflected in the more than 220 recipes culled from cooks throughout Italy. Emphasis is on light first courses and vegetable dishes; simply prepared fish, poultry and meats; and homemade breads, pizzas and desserts. Photographs of each region accompany these mouthwatering recipes. From the Alps to Sicily, from the fragrant herbs of Liguria to the pungent olives of Puglia, readers will delight in rediscovering the pleasures of this inspiring beloved country.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Reference, Italy

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Lorenza de Medici has published more than 30 cookbooks. She has appeared in a 13-part series on Italian cooking for public television and conducts a cooking school at Badia a Coltibuono, an 11th-century estate and winery near the Chianti region of Tuscany. She divides her time between Milan and Badia a Coltibuono.

Reviews

[Ghost of a Rose]

Own, available at house 2023

[Sasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loads of images and quick-fix recipes as well as fancy entrees. There are also recipes for light appetizers and dessert but I wouldn't go looking here specifically for any, especially with the internet around. There was also some background and imagery on Italy's history which I found unnecessary because I just want food but to others, it may be interesting. Though she also goes into detail about Italy's modern culture which is very vibrant and beautiful. Everything is complete with photographs; some of the recipe photos don't show up as well as others. This was published in 1988 so there are better cookbooks but this isn't bad.

*some vegetarian-friendly and fewer vegan-friendly recipes


(excuse blurriness; it's from my poopy phone)

[Priscilla]

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