Italy Today the Beautiful Cookbook: Contemporary Recipes Reflecting Simple, Fresh Italian Cooking

By Lorenza de'Medici

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0002250535
• ISBN13: 9780002250535
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Beautiful Cookbooks
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 4.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 10.0" x 14.0"

Customer Reviews

La Cucina Italiana!

ITALY: THE BEAUTIFUL COOKBOOK is just that - a book brimming with known dishes and as well as rarities from throughout Italy presented in a format so well designed, filled with excellent photography, and thorough information about the country that it could rest as comfortably on the traveler's coffee table as in the gourmet's kitchen. Lorenza De'Medici takes the reader on an insider's tour of Italy with readable maps, stunning photographs of each region, information about the peculiar characteristics of the regions that inform the recipes, and then gives some of the finest recipes you'll likely to encounter for dishes both simple and complex. As with the best of cookbooks this one contains images that show how the result of the time spent in the kitchen will look. De'Medici writes with candor and in a relaxed inviting style. This survey of Italian culinary arts and the historic background that accompanies them is as fine as any similar book on the market. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

Value for the money, but...

... you have to pay a little less. These "Beautiful Cookbooks" are usually on sale at Borders store for $20 for 2 or $10 each. For that price, they are a real value. Beautiful to read through, pictures of every dish and some nice recipes too.

BEAUTIFUL and DELICIOUS!

I love to cook, love italian,and love this book. The beautiful photographs are very inspiring and the unique recipes are motivating!

Romantic, historical, and filled with simple rich foods!

I have dozens of Italian cookbooks. This is one of the best... and maximizes the simple style and ingredients of Italy's best flavors. The photography and writing are equally good.