Recipe Weekend: The Complete Italian Cookbook: Essential Regional Cooking of Italy by Manuela Anelli Mazzocco

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book from Callisto Press, free of charge, for review purposes on this blog. No 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

Synopsis:

From the heart of Italy directly to your table—110 authentic regional recipes

Italian cuisine’s abundance of flavor, high-quality ingredients, and regional diversity make it one of the most popular in the world. Unlike some other Italian cookbooks, The Complete Italian Cookbook will help you make beloved dishes in your own kitchen with more than 100 authentic recipes from all over the country.

Get a true taste of Italy with traditional recipes for appetizers and drinks, risottos and polentas, pastas and sauces, pizzas and breads, meat and seafood, and of course, desserts. If you’ve been searching for comprehensive Italian cookbooks that offer go-to recipes your Nonna would approve of, look no further—The Complete Italian Cookbook is your new passport to culinary adventures. Buon appetito!

A standout among Italian cookbooks, this one includes:

• Classic recipes—You won’t need other Italian cookbooks with 100+ time-honored recipes that maintain the true preparation techniques, cooking methods, and fresh, seasonal ingredients of traditional Italian cuisine.
• Sample menus—Explore multi-course menus, including a Hearty Make-Ahead Supper, a Vegetarian Feast, and a Traditional Roman Supper.
• Regional tour—This book goes beyond other Italian cookbooks to offer a brief guide to each region’s famous foods, like the peppers, figs, San Marzano tomatoes, and lemons the Amalfi Coast is known for.

All Italian cookbooks should be this thorough! The Complete Italian Cookbook has everything you need to master the art of true regional cooking from the comfort of your home.

Review:

When a cookbook says its is about Regional recipes', then I assume it will be laid out as such. Sigh, not with this book. There is a chapter in the beginning, breaking down the regions and giving examples of cooking, but then it goes back to a traditional cookbook format (appetizers, soups, pastas, meat, etc). That isn't to say the recipes aren't good, quite the contrary, but I just expected a different format. Even if the titles had listed the regions underneath in colors that matched the region map maybe...

The recipes brought back many memories, from having friends whose families came from the different regions of Italy and had certain 'family dishes'. They are all here! And as is the course, most are relatively simple to make. Yes, some do require time, but that is what makes them SOOOO good! We highlighted at least 18 recipes to try, as many were different from the ones I make, and we wanted to try Manuela's versions! This is a great starter book for Italian cooking and I highly recommend it for gift giving (Mother's Day IS coming up!) and for learning new regional recipes yourself!

Recipe:

Here is a recipe we use for leftover rice, when I have enough, and the time! LOL. 

It's simple but oh so good!

About the Author:

Manuela Anelli Mazzocco is a recipe developer and photographer, as well as the voice behind Cooking with Manuela, a blog where she shares her passion for food through easy-to-follow recipes. Visit her online at CookingWithManuela.blogspot.com.