Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites: Quick and Delicious Recipes from an Italian Kitchen [Hardcover]

Mary Ann Esposito (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 1, 2009

In Mary Ann Esposito's new book, Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites, she shows home cooks how to turn just five ingredients into an easy, delicious and economical Italian dish for the family dinner table. Mary Ann Esposito knows that the genius behind great Italian cooking is the simple philosophy of using just a few quality ingredients to create something delicious. In Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites, she shows home cooks how to make that philosophy work for them so that they can save time and money without sacrificing flavor. With seventy five authentic Italian recipes--from antipasti to pastas, main courses and desserts -Esposito draws on the Italian culinary tradition of simplicity in the kitchen to create such effortless and tasty dishes as:

- Prosciutto di Parma, Fontina and Fig Wraps
- Spicy Soppressata Tartlets
- Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs
- Pistachio Dusted Pork Chops
- Oven-Poached Halibut with Shallots and Fennel
- Escarole Salad with Mustard Dressing
- Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Banana Tartlets
- Buttermilk Panna Cotta Infused with Vanilla

With Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites, Mary Ann Esposito serves up a surefire way to please family and friends with easy recipes that are quick and delicious.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Esposito, best known for her authentic and inspired take on rustic Italian cooking, has taken a crack at the ubiquitous quick/easy genre in her latest book, offering 75 recipes that focus on five main ingredients. Immediately appealing, Esposito's warm tone echoes throughout the book, offering quick trips down memory lane. At a time when most families are tightening their belts, an array of effortless, five-ingredient recipes is most welcome, especially since most are to be served family style. (However, many recipes have a high calorie count that might turn off health-conscious cooks.) For the most part, Esposito sticks to old Italian favorites—spaghetti carbonara, fried shrimp, and panna cotta. The salad and antipasto chapters are superb, with knockouts like roasted asparagus and carrot salad and spicy soppressata tartlets. But considering that six of the eight pasta dishes contain no vegetables, and decadent dishes like pasta bundles with taleggio cheese and pears call not only for butter but two types of cheese, readers may get frustrated at having to flip to the vegetables chapter to find them. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Praise for two other Mary Ann Esposito classics that show home cooks how to prepare authentic and delicious Italian meals with ease!

Ciao Italia Pronto: 30 Minute Recipes from an Italian Kitchen:

“Ciao Italia Pronto gives us everything we have come to expect from Mary Ann – real Italian food, helpful tips and suggestions and an engaging style.  But this book lets us have it all in less than thirty minutes!  Pronto?  Bravissima!"-- Nancy Verde Barr, author of We Called It Macaroni and Make it Italian

“Mary Ann Esposito Gets right to the heart of real Italian cooking in Ciao Italia Pronto!: no-fuss recipes that are quickly made but bursting with flavor.  This is Italian home cooking at its best.” -- Nick Magleri, author of Perfect Cakes and How to Bake

Ciao Italia Slow and Easy: Casseroles, Braises, Lasagne and Stews from an Italian Kitchen:

"Mary Ann Esposito's new tome of slow cooked classics hits America right in the appetite with exactly what we are longing for and what we are missing.  These spectacular, yet simple, recipes are easy to shop for, simple to prepare and give me a window of readiness that means everyone can always eat together, sharing a comforting kind of Italian cooking that says "grandma" in every language known to mankind's love of the absolutely delicious... Brava, Mary Ann!!!!!!!" -- Mario Batali, author of

            "For years I've wondered why somebody hasn't produced a much-needed cookbook exploring Italy's many regional casseroles and stews. Now, finally, Mary Ann Esposito has more than filled the bill with this amazing collection of sumptuous but easy recipes that--at least for me--define the very heart of authentic Italian cooking. From a layered cornmeal pie with sausage and wild mushrooms, to a Sardinian mixed seafood cassola, to an utterly fascinating array of unusual pasta and fruit casseroles, the book is an exciting tour of no-nonsense Italian kitchens bursting with enticing aromas, succulent flavors, and, to be sure, lots of soul-warming cheer."  -- James Villas, author of Crazy for Casseroles

 

 

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031237769X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312377694
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Ann Esposito is the creator and host of public television's Ciao italia, a cooking show devoted to Italian food and culture. The show has been on the air for 24 years giving it the distinction of being the longest running cooking show ever. Ciao Italia is seen in all major markets across the U.S.

Mary Ann has written 12 cookbooks. Learn more about her at www.ciaoitalia.com and sample the more than 1000 recipes on her site.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Italian Cusine With Only Five Ingredients! December 12, 2009

By tmtrvlr

Format:Hardcover

I only enjoy cooking a meal if it is easy enough that I can enjoy the process and the end results. Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites has recipes for hearty Italian cusine that are inexpensive and easy to prepare. She begins the cookbook with a wonderful introduction to the basic ingredients to keep on hand. Of course, five ingredients for the pantry, five for the refrigerator, and five for the freezer. Each recipe section begins with a clever introduction and five tips for that food type. For example, the Pasta section begins with her introduction, "Pasta Police", an amusing comment on incorporating pasta in your diet in a healthy way.

My first-to-try recipes include Zuppa di Paradiso (Paradise Soup), Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs, Coal Miners' - Style Spaghetti and Tortine di Gianduja e Banana (Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Banana Tartlets). Mmmm- Nutella is one of the ingredients!

As in my other cookbook reviews, I always consider the ingredients needed and whether I will be able to easily find them in my small-town area. There were a few cheeses that I am not familiar with, but even in the two small towns around here, there is a good cheese selection. I don't think I will have any problem finding them.

This is definitely a great gift for a bridal shower gift, Christmas gift, or an addition to your own cookbook collection. A great everyday book!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ciao Italia Five-Ingredient Favorites December 26, 2009

By Ellen P. Lafleche-christian

Format:Hardcover

is a cookbook that focusses on quick and easy Italian recipes and is written by Mary Ann Esposito who is the host of public television's program Ciao Italia. She shows cooks how to turn just five quality ingredients into a delicious Italian dish.

The cookbook contains seventy five authentic Italian recipes including recipes for antipasto, soup, pasta, sauce, meat and poultry, fish, vegetables, salads, and sweets. She also details five seasonal five course meals. In keeping with the theme of five ingredients, each section contains five recipes.

This is a hardcover cookbook with a dustjacket. The paper used, is a high quality, heavy paper so the cookbook has a very expensive feel to it. Scattered throughout the cookbook are a number of gorgeous photographs of the recipes listed in the cookbook.

The recipes are very well written with step by step instructions so that even a novice cook should be able to follow them without a problem. The recipes are mouthwatering and will leave you feeling as though you've splurged at a fancy Italian restaurant without leaving your own home.

A few of my favorite must try recipes include Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs and Puffy Merringues. The Chocolate, Hazelnut and Banana Tartlets are high on my list of must tries too!

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Surprised February 25, 2010

By Me

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I LOVE Mary Ann Esposito and am a huge fan. I often turn to her recipes as they are always a hit. When I received notification of the this book coming out and an offer to get it at a discounted price, I jumped on it with excitement. Unfortunately, it was a real let down. Not as many recipes I thought there would be and definitely not inspiring. I have not had any desire to make even one dish from this book. Now, "Ciao Italia," that's a book! It's almost like my bible. There are so many wonderful, delicious recipes. Every single recipe I've made from it has been heaven on a plate.