Rating: 
Summary: Rustic, not crude
Review: Lynne Kasper writes like a dream, knows how to record a recipe, and has one of the finest palates in America. Her earlier book, The Splendid Table, was a classic that captured the heights of Italian cooking. The Italian Country Table is different: the recipes are much more approachable and suited for everyday cooking. But is it ever! I have over 100 cookbooks, and this one finds its way into my hands basically every week. What else do you need to know?
Rating:
Summary: Soulful and scrumptious
Review: Lynne Rosetto Kasper firmly established herself in the Italian culinary pantheon with "The Splendid Table," and this book is a worthy successor. Rather than focusing on the food of one region, in her latest volume she has narrowed the range of the recipes to cover the simple, rustic fare made in homes throughout the Italian countryside. This does not mean, however, that the food is unsophisticated! Perhaps more than any other cuisine, the food of the Italian farmhouse manages to be both robust and elegant -- perfectly suited to modern palates and sensibilities -- and Lynne captures these flavors triumphantly in clear, easy to follow recipes. Her historical and personal asides place this cuisine in a context that makes you feel as though you are a legitimate heir, bringing these dishes to your own table and families. These are perhaps not the tour de force dishes that you might present at an important dinner, but the food that will become a regular part of your life. To me, there is no higher compliment to a cookbook author than that transmission of living tradition. Brava, Lynne!
Rating:
Summary: Soulful and scrumptious
Review: Lynne Rosetto Kasper firmly established herself in the Italian culinary pantheon with "The Splendid Table," and this book is a worthy successor. Rather than focusing on the food of one region, in her latest volume she has narrowed the range of the recipes to cover the simple, rustic fare made in homes throughout the Italian countryside. This does not mean, however, that the food is unsophisticated! Perhaps more than any other cuisine, the food of the Italian farmhouse manages to be both robust and elegant -- perfectly suited to modern palates and sensibilities -- and Lynne captures these flavors triumphantly in clear, easy to follow recipes. Her historical and personal asides place this cuisine in a context that makes you feel as though you are a legitimate heir, bringing these dishes to your own table and families. These are perhaps not the tour de force dishes that you might present at an important dinner, but the food that will become a regular part of your life. To me, there is no higher compliment to a cookbook author than that transmission of living tradition. Brava, Lynne!
Rating:
Summary: Soulful and scrumptious
Review: Lynne Rosetto Kasper firmly established herself in the Italian culinary pantheon with "The Splendid Table," and this book is a worthy successor. Rather than focusing on the food of one region, in her latest volume she has narrowed the range of the recipes to cover the simple, rustic fare made in homes throughout the Italian countryside. This does not mean, however, that the food is unsophisticated! Perhaps more than any other cuisine, the food of the Italian farmhouse manages to be both robust and elegant -- perfectly suited to modern palates and sensibilities -- and Lynne captures these flavors triumphantly in clear, easy to follow recipes. Her historical and personal asides place this cuisine in a context that makes you feel as though you are a legitimate heir, bringing these dishes to your own table and families. These are perhaps not the tour de force dishes that you might present at an important dinner, but the food that will become a regular part of your life. To me, there is no higher compliment to a cookbook author than that transmission of living tradition. Brava, Lynne!
Rating:
Summary: My large family loves it!
Review: My husband and I have nine children, ranging in age from 7 mos. to 17. We have tried so many of the recipes already and find them delicious - the surprising thing is that they please our whole family. Also, the book is a joy to read, even when not searching for a recipe. The descriptions of the Italian countryside, people, and way of life are delightful. We thoroughly enjoy the wine recommendations also, and have discovered that substituting less costly brands of Italian meats works just as well as the expensive ones recommended. Being on a budget, we have also substituted regular Parmesan cheese for the more expensive type used in these recipes, with very satisfying results. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite cookbook
Review: Recreate an Italian countryside vacation with this book. The recipes are mainly simple and inspired by the cooking of Italian people (as opposed to restaurants or famous chefs). They capture the simplified essence of country Italian cooking that so many American "Italian" restaurants and cookbooks miss. A few fresh ingredients create compositions that are not overpowering or rich. It is the anti Olive Garden cookbook. The emphasis is on subtle combinations of flavors supplied by fresh ingredients - many of the recipes (gasp!) dont include garlic. It is a fun cookbook to have if you are a gardener because fresh herbs and vegetables are a must to pull off many of the recipes. I have made about 10 of the recipes and all have been fantastic. I guarantee that the hobbyist chef will learn a great deal through her informative vignettes.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite cookbook
Review: Recreate an Italian countryside vacation with this book. The recipes are mainly simple and inspired by the cooking of Italian people (as opposed to restaurants or famous chefs). They capture the simplified essence of country Italian cooking that so many American "Italian" restaurants and cookbooks miss. A few fresh ingredients create compositions that are not overpowering or rich. It is the anti Olive Garden cookbook. The emphasis is on subtle combinations of flavors supplied by fresh ingredients - many of the recipes (gasp!) dont include garlic. It is a fun cookbook to have if you are a gardener because fresh herbs and vegetables are a must to pull off many of the recipes. I have made about 10 of the recipes and all have been fantastic. I guarantee that the hobbyist chef will learn a great deal through her informative vignettes.
Rating: 
Summary: It must be me!
Review: Sorry - I have made probably 1/4 of the recipes here and haven't made anything I would make again (and my wife basically wants me to shelve the book indefinately).Her pasta recipe is interesting, but too watery for my taste (guess that also goes for most of the recipes I tried), and enjoyed her discussion about tomatoes so much that I ordered seeds from the seed companies she recommended. Oh well. Back to Marcella I suppose. Know her books like the back of my hand though. Too bad, was looking for something new and exciting in Italian cooking.
Rating:
Summary: A tour of Italy and a cook book at the same time
Review: This cookbook won the James Beard and Julia Child Awards for a reason. I originally bought this book for the chocolate polenta cake recipe and that alone was worth it. But to my surprise, there is a history of the Italian country side along with many great recipes. This is a very good Italian cookbook or a good travelogue or a great combo.
Rating:
Summary: A book that is as readable as it is usable
Review: This engagingly written book captures the vibrant spirit and traditions of the Italian countryside in an enticing blend of evocative text and authentic family recipes. The hearty, down-to-earth dishes described by Lynne Rossetto Kasper range from appetizers to desserts, and nearly all of the ingredients called for in the recipes are not difficult to find. A helpful discussion of ingredients, a list of shopping sources, and appealing menus add to the book's usefulness. Another book I recommend wholeheartedly is "Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen," by Sonia Uvezian. This culinary gem belongs in every cookbook collector's library.
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