Home Page      Can You Help?

Autobiography / Biography   Travel / Places   Cooking / Food   Fashion / Health / Beauty   Other / General / Self-Help   Crafts / Home Improvement   Humor

Lidia's Italy
by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich with Tanya Bastianich Manuali
Alfred A. Knopf
ISBN 1-4000-4036-0
Published April 2007 - Hardcover - 366 pages - $35.00

I love watching Lidia on PBS, but I don't get to see her that often.  Her recipes are usually so mouthwateringly tempting, and apparently, not that difficult.  In this book she takes us on a journey to some of her favorite places in Italy, like Roma, Palermo, Maremma, Puglia, Friuli, Trieste, and others, for a taste of what each place has to offer.  Along for the ride is Lidia's daughter Tanya.  She is an art historian and points out cultural morsels along the way.  A nice combination book.  Contents are arranged very usefully because the recipes are also listed along with their respective page numbers, and include: Appetizers; Soups; Salads, Side Dishes, and Condiments; Pastas and Risottos; Fish and Seafood; Meat and Poultry, and Desserts.  She does say in her introduction, "Some of the recipes I've gathered here are more strictly traditional and demanding.  But you take liberties, as you wish".  Some of her recipes I thought sounded interesting are" Frittata with Asparagus and Scallions; Braised Swiss Chard and Cannellini Beans; Sausages with Fennel and Olives; Fettucine with Tomato and Chicken Liver Sauce; Stuffed Escarole; Ziti with Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Salted Ricotta; Celery Chutney (interesting), Crêpes with Chocolate and Walnuts, and Peach Tart with Cocoa-Almond Crust.  After each place she visits, there's a "Tanya's Tour" you can read about.  Lidia also narrates her personal stories about each place.  Great stuff.  I like that "Recommended Equipment" is offered with each recipe.  Don't worry about not being able to find Italian Fine Foods, as there is a list at the back of the book with contacts.  Ms. Lidia has a restaurant (among others) in New York City called Felidia.
Partially illustrated.  No nutritional guides.
Conclusion - Fa-a-abulous.  A book every lover of Italian food should have.