Vegetarian Table: Italy

Rating:
Summary: Tasteful no-meat Italian food treatments
Review: I have an affection for this book and found the Kirkus Reviews panning of it altogethr slanted. This is a book for lacto-poulo vegetarians and food lovers who prefer moderation in the intake of foods containing fat over grim abstinence from the delights of cheese, olive oil and egg dishes. Given that, I found della Croce's book augmented my library of Italian cookbooks, including the complete works of Marcella Hazan. While some of the recipes are familiar (Pasta e Fagioli, eggplant parmigiana, broccoli with lemon) many are original and delightful. The fettucine with walnut sauce, spaghettini with uncooked lemon and black olive sauce and the coucous with stewed vegetables and chick-peas, Sicilian-Arab style have become crowd-pleasing staples. The book is attractively illustrated, and Ms. della Croce is a warm, friendly guide. This book does not supplant the works of established guides to the Italian kitchen. But it will beguile both the newcomer and the veteran.

Rating:
Summary: Tasteful no-meat Italian food treatments
Review: I have an affection for this book and found the Kirkus Reviews panning of it altogethr slanted. This is a book for lacto-poulo vegetarians and food lovers who prefer moderation in the intake of foods containing fat over grim abstinence from the delights of cheese, olive oil and egg dishes. Given that, I found della Croce's book augmented my library of Italian cookbooks, including the complete works of Marcella Hazan. While some of the recipes are familiar (Pasta e Fagioli, eggplant parmigiana, broccoli with lemon) many are original and delightful. The fettucine with walnut sauce, spaghettini with uncooked lemon and black olive sauce and the coucous with stewed vegetables and chick-peas, Sicilian-Arab style have become crowd-pleasing staples. The book is attractively illustrated, and Ms. della Croce is a warm, friendly guide. This book does not supplant the works of established guides to the Italian kitchen. But it will beguile both the newcomer and the veteran.

Rating:
Summary: Italian by Marriage
Review: I just got married and have been cooking Italian for the first time in my life.This book is everything an Italian cookbook should be and more. It is completly meat-free but doesn't skimp on flavor. I have many cookbooks but this one taught me how to make lump-free Polenta on my first try. The Pasta and Lentil soup was so delicious that my full-blooded Italian husband said it would be perfect for a Wedding Celebration. I've just now made the simple dish of carrots cooked in milk with Tarragon and my tastebuds went wild. The easy-to-make recipes are full of mouthwatering flavor combinations that make vegetables taste better than chocolate. Period.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful collection of delicious recipes
Review: This cookbook was given to me by a good friend, and what a find! Several of the recipes in the book, especially the wild mushroom risotto, have made it into our regular menu here at home. The recipes are fairly easy to prepare, and the flavor combinations are delightful. These kinds of recipes are a much better way to eat vegetarian than trying to mimic meat dishes (e.g. garden burgers, etc.) because they are essentially and naturally meat-free. I highly recommend this title.