Cuncina del Mare: Fish and Seafood, Italian Style

The recipes in this book are out of this world. After a trip to the Amalfi Coast in Fall of 2001, I was inspired by the local cooking to find a book specifically on preparing Seafood Italian-style, and I couldn't have done better. My favorites so far are the Frutti di Mare, Gamberi Arrabiata (Angry Shrimp), Buttery Breaded Sole, and tonight I just made the Clams in White Wine. Get this book if you love Italian food, Seafood, or both. Great production values on the book: big, durable, nice paper and printing job.

In this book, Ms. Klieman provides a variety of Italian seafood recipes that are generally easy to prepare and, almost without exception, delicious and impressive. When I am entertaining I consistently return to it for recipes and ideas. My only caveats in using this book is that you make sure that you use the freshest ingredients available (it makes a big difference) and that you be prepared to search around for an ingredient or two (unless you live in a city with a sizable Italian-American population). One of my favorite recipes includes boiling the feathery tops of fennel with angel hair pasta. To my horror, I found that Seattle area produce managers regularly trimmed the tops off and threw them away.