Food and Wine Cookbook Review

I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in reviewing a new Italian cookbook that was put out by Food and Wine. Uh…of course!

The Food and Wine Quick From Scratch Italian Cookbook has amazing images. That is always the first thing that I look for. It was kind of disappointing to me that my own cookbook was to be without images (not my choice). The images in the Food and Wine cook book are big and close up. You get a good idea of what the dish should look like which is nice. Each recipe is on one page with a full size image on the facing page.

The recipes are imaginative. For example the Fennel and Red Onion Salad with Parmesan looks amazing. The steps are clearly and easily laid out, there are no real surprises or difficult techniques. The book will allow even the most inexperienced cook to make classic as well as classically inspired Italian dishes.

Most of the recipes will go together easily in 30 minutes or less and the emphasis is on fresh ingredients.

The one thing I did not like in the book was the dessert section. Each dessert is based on an ice cream or custard of some sort. Italian desserts are amazing and flavorful and I was disappointed in the desserts they chose.

I mean, that IS the most important part of the meal, right?

If you are looking for a cookbook to help you learn classic Italian cooking techniques this is not it. However, if you are looking for a cookbook that allows you to serve something besides Kraft Macaroni and Cheese on weeknights this may be exactly what you are looking for.

image:marye audet