Italian-the Essence of Mediterranean Cuisine by Capalbo, Carla (2001) Hardcover

This cookbook was a gift from my husband. I absolutely love it. The photos are numerous and of excellent quality.Every single recipe has a photo! The recipes are a nice assortment and it is not typical Italian American fare. The food is much more like what we actually ate there in Italy on our three visits there and not what we Americans think of as Italian food. The recipes are for the most part simple yet delicious. Some of my favorites are Pizzaiola Steak, Beef Stew with Red Wine, Chicken with Peppers,Bolognese Meat Sauce and Spaghetti with Bacon and Onion. There are many more I will try includimg pizza recipes and several frittata recipes .

Wow, what a great book for the cooking-impaired. The step-by-step directions are clear, the ingredient list is short, and there are at least 2 color pictures, usually more, for each recipe (and ALWAYS a picture of the finished dish). I've tried almost every pasta dish, and we love them all. While I have spent most of my time drooling over that section, there are chapters on pizza, appetizers and soups, meat and fish, vegetables, and desserts. There are even directions for making pasta by hand or with a pasta machine, gelato with or without a machine, tiramisu, foccaccia, risotto, etc. One of my favorite things about this book is that it is authentic (yes I have lived in Italy) and each recipe has its Italian name. So you can make Saltimbocca, Ossobuco, Schiacciata, Zuppa Inglese, Carpaccio... all those yummy dishes you eat in Italian restaurants... at home. Finally, with color photos of pasta varieties, useful equipment, Italian meats, cheeses, veggies and dry ingredients, this cookbook makes it easy to venture into the culinary unknown. Enjoy!