Little Italy Cookbook

Rating:
Summary: for those who love to read as much as cook
Review: David Ruggerio's "Little Italy Cookbook" is an exploration of not only fine Italian American cuisine (not true Italian as defined by the author, but rather adaptations based upon the Italian immigrant experience once in America) but also of the soul of what it is to be Italian. He journeys back to New York's Little Italy and spends a great amount of effort in trying to create for the reader a sense of desire to be in the locales he is. Many of the recipes he puts forth are amazing. Some of my favorites: "Brisket of Beef with Genoese Sauce", "Collari - Crispy Fried Stuffed Bread", "Penne alla San Giovanni - Pasta with Sage, Walnuts, and Prosciutto", and "Chestnut and Ricotta Semifreddo". One of my favorite essays is about the Royal Crown Bakery and the "revival of a great tradition". The book is loaded with photos, both color and black and white, all of which convey an image of Italian American life. This is not just another Italian cookbook - it is an Italian American story. I highly recommend this to those who love to read while stirring the pot waiting for the pasta to finish.

Rating:
Summary: for those who love to read as much as cook
Review: David Ruggerio's "Little Italy Cookbook" is an exploration of not only fine Italian American cuisine (not true Italian as defined by the author, but rather adaptations based upon the Italian immigrant experience once in America) but also of the soul of what it is to be Italian. He journeys back to New York's Little Italy and spends a great amount of effort in trying to create for the reader a sense of desire to be in the locales he is. Many of the recipes he puts forth are amazing. Some of my favorites: "Brisket of Beef with Genoese Sauce", "Collari - Crispy Fried Stuffed Bread", "Penne alla San Giovanni - Pasta with Sage, Walnuts, and Prosciutto", and "Chestnut and Ricotta Semifreddo". One of my favorite essays is about the Royal Crown Bakery and the "revival of a great tradition". The book is loaded with photos, both color and black and white, all of which convey an image of Italian American life. This is not just another Italian cookbook - it is an Italian American story. I highly recommend this to those who love to read while stirring the pot waiting for the pasta to finish.

Rating:
Summary: An Italian American Treasure
Review: If you have ever been to Little Italy, or have something similar in your hometown, you will enjoy this book, apart from the fact it is packed full of wonderful Italian recipes that are shared in all their glory in some terrifically appealing photos. I found most recipes seemed to have a southern Italian flair, and recognized many that my own Mother In Law traditionally makes. I was thrilled to see the recipe for Pasta, Ricotta and Dandelion Pie as I had tried something very similar years ago while living in Italy and had seen nothing like it since. The recipes are easy to follow, the ingredients readily available, and every recipe I have tried to date has been worth repeating. A must have book for anyone who enjoys Italian food.

Rating:
Summary: there is nothing better.
Review: this cookbook has provided me MANY recipies which I've been after for years. I bought this book for the cover price of 29.95 and I have no regrets. This cookbook is the best you will find anywhere, short of having a 80 year old italian grandmother from northern New Jersey ( and even then it will have classics you do not have)

I cannot recommend this cookbook highly enough. The recipies inside will amaze your northern New Jersey mafia families...it's that good.

10 out of 10 stars.

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