Customer Reviews

Carmine's Family-Style Cookbook: More Than 100 Classic Italian Dishes to Make at Home

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm an "Italian girl", born and bred in Brooklyn, I know my Italian food. I am a foodie and collect a roomful of cookbooks, and love this one along with the best of them. It's hard to explain the appeal of this cookbook. Yes, many recipes "seem" to be a revival of many we know, as one other reviewer chafed, that it's a repeat of the same old recipes with an ingredient changed here or there...well, I had to laugh...it's precisely that "ingredient here or there" that can make or break a dish, change it from ordinary to extraordinary...and Carmine delivers! The Pasta with sausage and broccoli in olive oil and Garlic, sounds like a simple straightforward recipe that's surely been done b/4, but not like this one! Using lots of fresh basil from the garden in summer (or frozen and used in winter), it comes out tasting like heaven and looks likewise and simple to make. It's a great family-style meal to feed a crowd and have made it many times. The recipe can be started ahead of time and finished in just minutes right before serving so it is piping hot and fresh to the table. The pasta and veggie are cooked in the same pot of water. It's just simplicity at its best. I've made shrimp fra diavolo (to eat lighter fare, ha!), it was simpler still. The Marsala dish uses a basic brown gravy recipe at back of book. I made a larger amount of the gravy one day, froze it into individualized portions for sev'l meals, and can take one out whenever the Marsala mood strikes--half the work is already done saving time and effort. This "cook once--eat many times" strategy is a Godsend when you are short on time but not appetite! I try to do this in general whenever I can. I even make extra of Carmine's toasted bread crumbs (with their blend of simple ingredients "here & there" again) to freeze; it is so tasty, I could make a meal out of just that. I look forward to trying many other dishes. This Foodie feels like I have found a hidden jewel. Great for beginners as well as advanced cooks.

i have already tried 4 recipes from this delicious cookbook. i am a frequent guest at the restaurant and these recipes did not disappoint.

Most of the restaurant recipe books do not work for the home cook. Though I have not tried all the offerings this book has, all that I have tried have come out wonderfully. It's one of the best books of its kind.

This is the best cookbook I have ever owned. The recipes are super easy to follow. So far I've made 3 recipes from this book and I have to admit, they were as good as the restaurant. When I tried the first recipe (Rigatoni Country Style), I thought to myself "I got lucky". But then when the Meatballs turned out delicious and the Chicken Scapariello was outstanding, I realized "this cookbook is foolproof". So, to all of you Italian food lovers out there, get your hands on this book. You won't be disappointed.
Carmine's Family-Style Cookbook: More Than 100 Classic Italian Dishes to Make at Home

I first saw this cookbook at my public library. The recipes were so delicious that I had to purchase the cookbook. I have made the Sole Francese and the potatoe croquettes so far. The fish is my son's favorite dinner. It is my new favorite cookbook. Highly recommended.

after visiting Carmines restaurant in atlantic city ,I was very excited to know that they had a cookbook!!- becasue the food was delicious!!!- I have made a few recipes from the book and they do taste just like the restaurant!! this is a fantastic book- the recipes are not too difficult to follow!!

Having moved from New York City, I truly miss the wonderful restaurants. When I heard Carmine's published a cookbook, I immediately went to Amazon.com to order. Have tried quite a few recipes and everyone of them brings back the old memories. Truly delicious and worth the purchase.

I love Carmine's -- it is my favorite restaurant in the city. I am not an italian cook, so I approached this cookbook with a fair amount of trepidation....However, my worries were unfounded. This is such a beautiful and easy to use cookbook. The directions are so clear, and everything has been available at my local grocery story. I am such a novice, honestly, I had to go to customer service to find the prosciutto. I've been cooking my way through the cookbook and my family has loved it. Many thanks to Carmines for helping me to make all these wonderful dishes at home.

the recipes are amazingly good, they do require time/effort and preparations... but are absolutely worth it. if you dont have a carmines near you, it is THE BEST italian food, and this book can bring it to your table!

My daughter and I ate at Carmines on a trip to NYC in August, 2008. The food was exquisite and plentiful. When I heard an interview with the owner on the "Today Show" (I think), I knew I just had to buy the book for myself and my 25 year old daughter! I highly recommend both the restaurant and the recipes in this cookbook!