Recipe Weekend- See You in the Piazza by Frances Mayes

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook free of charge,from Crown Publishing via #Netgalley, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own.

Bestselling and beloved author Frances Mayes discovers the hidden pleasures of Italy in a sumptuous travel narrative that crisscrosses the country, with inventive new recipes celebrating Italian cuisine

Synopsis:

The Roman Forum, the Leaning Tower, the Piazza San Marco: these are the sights synonymous with Italy. But such landmarks only scratch the surface of this magical country's offerings. In See You in the Piazza, Frances Mayes introduces us to the Italy only the locals know, as she and her husband, Ed, eat and drink their way through thirteen regions--from Friuli to Sicily. Along the way, she seeks out the cultural and historic gems not found in traditional guidebooks.

Frances conjures the enchantment of the backstreets, the hubbub of the markets, the dreamlike wonder of that space between lunch and dinner when a city cracks open to those who would wander or when a mind is drawn into the pages of a delicious book--and discloses to us the secrets that only someone who is on intimate terms with a place could find.

Review:

Part travel book, part history book, part geography book, and full of love for Italy, this book by Frances takes the reader on a tour of the Italy few tourists get to see: the everyday lives of the people, who have lived there for generations upon generations. Frances literary eye catches the unique - did you know Egypt has the largest Egyptian collection (Museo Egizio) outside of Cairo? I had NO clue, I just assumed it would be Britain or the US! - and the sublime - an exorcism medal behind a bulletin board in a simple church in Monte Conero. This is the Italy that few know- but Frances brings it all to the light- the good AND the boring and bad! Along the way she meets some amazing people, and they share their recipes with her (and the reader). If you want to visit Italy, read this book first- it's so much better than a traditional travel guide!

Recipe:

Here's a lovely Spring recipe, perfect for parties and Sunday brunch!