- The Italian-American Cookbook
- A Feast of Food from a Great American Cooking Tradition
- By John Mariani and Galina Mariani
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Italian-American dishes are what we crave and what we make, what we order and what we wax rhapsodic about. The last century has seen hundreds of inspired new dishes take their place at the table alongside traditional preparations, resulting in a cuisine that is as current as it is classic. At last, here is the place to look for the tastiest and most definitive renderings of Shrimp Fra Diavolo, Steak Florentine, Pasta alla Primavera, Linguine with Clam Sauce, Spinach with Pignolis, Tiramisu, and all the other treasures of the Italian-American table. In these pages, America’s premier restaurant critic, John Mariani, and his wizard-in-the-kitchen wife, Galina Mariani, update and perfect all the classics in lighter, less creamy-and-cheesy versions made with the freshest of ingredients.
The Marianis make a convincing case that Italian-American cooking, far from being a watered-down version of Italian cookery, is a full-fledged cuisine in its own right. In fact, as they show in a fascinating introduction, many elements of Italian cuisine in Italy today are actually imports from the Italian-American repertoire. In 250 recipes, they reveal not only how glorious that repertoire is but also how its basic elements may be used in innovative new ways—in a Risotto with Apples and Saffron, for example, or a Pork Roast with Fennel. This is a feast of food, from antipasti and soups through pastas and pizzas all the way to dessert, and also of history and folklore, in the dozens of sidebars and archival photographs that bring to life the family restaurants and home kitchens where these magnificent ethnic dishes are prepared and enjoyed.
Book Details
- Paperback, $19.95
ISBN 978-1-55832-166-3
- Total Pages: 400 pg.
- Trim Size: 8 x 9 ½
- Interior Design:
2 Color
Awards
IACP Cookbook Awards Finalist
From the Press Room
Praise
“America first fell in love with Italian-American food, then Italian food. There is an old Italian saying; il primo amore non si scorda mai—the first love is never forgotten. America is still in love with Italian-American food, and The Italian-American Cookbook has captured that love. An Italian cookbook whose time has come.“
—Lidia Matticchio Bastianich
“Wow! John and Galina Mariani have done it again! Full of history, great stories, and lots of delicious recipes.”
—Emeril Lagasse, chef, author of Every Day’s a Party, and host of Food Network cooking shows
“The Italian-American Cookbook is a joyous celebration of the most creative and exciting of the American sub-cuisines. The recipes, although not exactly the ones that my family enjoyed, evoke the magical experience of growing up in a food-loving Italian-American culture. John and Galina bring readers to a unique place that transcends cliché while feeling like home.“
—Mario Batali, chef/co-owner, Babbo, Po, Lupa, Esca
“The Italian-American Cookbook captures the savor, variety, sophistication, and underlying simplicity of the best of Italian food enjoyed in America today.”
—James Peterson
“Diverse, nostalgic, sometimes a little corny, and almost always redolent of spice and flavor, Italian-American cooking is in some ways the only national cuisine we have in this country. We are thrilled that the food-savvy couple John and Galina Mariani have created a book of the best Italian-American recipes. Here are not only the classics, but also cutting-edge variations on vintage themes, as well as a bounty of food lore that is a joy to read. For anyone who likes to cook, or just to read about cooking, this book is a keeper!“
—Jane and Michael Stern