Jamie's Italy
By Jamie Oliver
Photographs by David Loftus & Chris Terry Hyperion: New York (2006)
ISBN: 1-4013-0195-9
Reviewed by Herbert White - December 22, 2006
In Jamie's Italy, Jamie Oliver (of The Naked Chef fame), takes you on a gastronomical tour of Italy's many regional cuisines. Featuring more than 120 new, and easy to prepare recipes this cookbook also includes sparkling commentary by Oliver that makes this cookbook not only fun to work from, but also fun to read. Oliver's commentary provides insights into his travels throughout Italy, Italian cuisine, and information specific to each recipe. In addition, this book is enhanced by a plethora of photographs by David Loftus and Chris Terry that document Oliver's tour of Italy, and the food featured in this delectable cookbook.
Jamie's Italy is organized into eight main categories covering:
Antipasti: Starters
Street Food & Pizza
Primi: First Courses - covering soups, pasta, and risotto dishes.
Insalate: Salads
Secondi: Main Courses - covering fish and meat dishes.
Contorni: Side Dishes
Dolci: Desserts
All of the recipes in this cookbook feature a tidy list of ingredients, followed by Oliver's clear and easy to follow directions that insure that even a novice cook will be able to achieve excellent results. Throughout this cookbook you'll find a variety of unique and tasty dishes that you may have never tried before, such as:
Limoni de Amalfi Cotti al Forno (Amalfi Baked Lemons)
Zuppa di Baccala (Salt Cod Soup)
Risotto ai Cavolfiori (Cauliflower Risotto)
Cosciotto D'agnello Ripieno di Olive, Pane, Pinoli, e Erbe Aromatiche (Leg of Lamb Stuffed with Olives, Bread, Pinenuts, and Herbs)
Polpo Semplice (Tender Octopus)
In addition, you'll also find a wealth of well-known Italian dishes that you've always loved, including:
Zucchini in Padella (Fried Zucchini)
Melanzane alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmigiana)
Pollo alla Cacciatora (Hunter's Chicken Stew)
Linguine alla Carbonara di Salsiccia (Sausage Carbonara)
Tiramisu Veloce (Quick Tiramisu)
Jamie's Italy is an excellent Italian cookbook that will delight cooks of all skill levels and it also provides a fine introduction to the varied cuisines of Italy.
