Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen

I watched Nick on TV and became a fan years and years ago. I took this book from the library so many times that I amsure Librarian wondered why I didnt buy it!! As part of a Christmas gift this year from a friend, I finally ordered it. ANd that it is autographed actually twice is added gift. I corresponded with Nick and bemoaned the fact that he is not on PBS here in Tampa area anymore!! What a loss - I even wrote to Food Network to get him on there. He was kind enough to answer too!! Nick's recipes bring my grandma back to me. I loved to watch her cook and helped ? her. I partcularly love the chicken scallopine with the mushroom sauce. It perfumes the air while it is cooking and has everyone drooling for dinner. Add this to your collection today if love to cook, love to eat and love Italian! Buono appetito....Mangia!! M>

I received this book as a present about four years ago. It was my first year after college, and I was engaged. My fiancee and I had lived on campus eating at the dining hall, so preparing all of our own food was quite a change of pace. My sister bought me the BH & G Cookbook, but we already had it. She took us to the bookstore, and we stumbled across this one. It looked beautiful, some meals looked tasty, but we didn't know then whether or not it would be a good cookbook. Our hunch turned out right--this book is awesome! We got many more cookbooks, and even specialty Italian cookbooks, when we got married. When we want to make a fantastic special meal, or if we want to cook to impress, we turn to this one. The Marcella Hazan (Classics of Italian Cooking) is good too, but the amount of recipes makes it kind of unwieldy to choose. Mario Batali calls his recipes "simple," but that's only if you have world-class specialty cooking shops next door. We have Balducci's, Whole Foods, and other wonderful stores nearby, but it seems every recipe in his book requires something even they wouldn't carry. What this book is NOT is an every day cookbook. Most meals take a long time, at least for me (and I may still be somewhat slow in my chopping, but I am now quite experienced as a cook). They require simmering to blend the flavors and reduction to concentrate the sauces. But as he explains so well in his commentary (which is not obtrusive by the way), it is really important to take time once in a while to enjoy amazing home-made food. You will find yourself much pickier about Italian restaurants and only willing to have things there that you couldn't cook at home yourself, with Stellino's guidance. My wife and I have cooked many recipes in this book, and I don't think we've been disappointed by any of them. Our guests have complimented us profusely on several of the creations. Some of our favorites have been: Potato Soup with Mortadella and Salami, Baked Pasta with Four Cheeses, Roasted Pork Loin with Fennel, Peas, and Parmesan Sauce, and Sausages and Peppers Country Style. I love how several of the recipes also "sneak in" many healthful ingredients to ensure some balance in the meal. It is clear that these were developed by and for family eating, not haute cuisine at the restaurant. It is just that those families apparently ate marvelously. Sure, there are some minor aspects I could critique. From experience (and other books) I have learned to saute onions before garlic despite the recipes here. I also often cut the recommended amount of garlic in half as the quantities can sometimes be overpowering. Finally, a more user-friendly list of the recipes in the front would help a bit. But overall, I cannot rave enough about the delightful meals this book has helped us to create and share with friends in our home. Buy this book and buon appetito!

After watching Nick's program on PBS, I was dying to try some of these mouth-watering recipies. Fortunately, this book is a gift that keeps on giving! Some of the recipies require more preparation time, but they are very simple and easy to follow. So far, I have yet to try a bad recipie. Some of the combinations of ingredients are very unique, but have incredible bursts of flavors. It is a must-have for those who love Italian and Sicilian cooking!

I just seen Nick at a recent cooking demo and he explained that when he wanted to write this book he spoke with his publisher and said that if he could have "full say" in this book he would do it for half the going rate! He was that passionate about every aspect of this book. The recipes are simple and wonderful, the stories are heartwarming. Nick Stellino... great chef, even greater person. Grazie molto Nick!John

A usual, Stellino shows lots of care and passion for his book and his recipes. I have all four if his books and recommend this one to anyone who wants to eat well while not having to spend all day in the kitchen. Bravo! 5 stars!