The Food of Italy (a journey for food lovers)

This is one of those rare books that is as practical as it is useful. The photography and oversize layout--especially the fold-out spreads on cheeses, pastas, etc.--are great for armchair browsing. But what sets this book apart is that the recipes work: everything I've made has been simple to prepare and delicious; everyone has loved the dishes from this book. The abundant photography helps with more intricate preparations like gnocchi, but the steps are never overly fussy. I've got books from Marcella Hazan, Mario Batali, the Silver Spoon, and others, but I find I often get best results with the instructions here. Highly, highly recommended.

I keep this book open on my kitchen counter in an acrylic holder. The photos are amazing as everyone else noted but they also give rise to great food inspired by the traditional earthiness of Italy. Simple and straight forward all the food I have prepared has been sublime. The Roman Gnocchi, pared with The Florentine Pork Roast is beyond sublime.........Today I am making the Roast Turkey with an Apricot and cranberry "Mostarada di Cremona". You will love this book. My daughter a teaching chef even borrows it for her classes!

This book is amazing. It has all of the classic, basic Italian recipes. I just made the gnocchi and they are divine!

I came across this book shortly after my return trip from Italy.I have used this cookbook more than any other cookbook I own. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. The photographs are simply amazing. Each time I open this book, it takes me back to Italy. Highly recommend it.

The Food of Italy is by far the most used cookbook on my shelf. Not only do the pictorial essays take you on a culinary journey, the individual recipes themselves are highly user friendly, as they offer step-by-step instructions with corresponding photos demonstrating preparation methods. All of the recipes are given in metric equivalents, however, so if you normally cook using the Imperial standard, keep a conversion chart close by!