Claire's Italian Feast: 165 Vegetarian Recipes from Nonna's Kitchen [Paperback]

Claire Criscuolo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Claire Criscuolo's latest cookbook contains the personal favorite recipes from her Italian grandmother for colorful, authentic meals. All recipes are vegetarian, and for classic Southern Italian dishes which require meat products, Criscuolo provides suggestions for alternatives. With chapters on appetizers, side dishes, pastas, entrees and desserts, "Claire's Italian Feast" evokes the fresh, abundant flavors of Italy with dishes like:
-- Portobello Mushroom Caps, roasted with mint and garlic
-- Fresh tomato soup with Garlic Toasts
-- Pizza Dough with goat cheese and truffle oil
-- Red Bell Peppers stuffed with arborio rice and artichoke hearts
-- Easter Sweet Bread
-- Chocolate Covered Eggplant

"Claire's Italian Feast" also features tips on selecting wine, cheese, and grains and includes a chapter on preparing several-course meals for special family and religious celebrations. It is a healthy and irresistible take on what Italian cooking is all about.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Criscuolo's grandmother came to America from Amalfi in Southern Italy, she brought a wealth of family recipes with her, which the author has prepared for her customers at Claire's Corner Copia restaurant in New Haven, Conn. It's a tribute to the variety of ingredients that one can read through dozens of dishes presented here before realizing that they are all meat-free. Making Italian-style vegetarian cooking alluring are appetizers such as White Bean and Mint Salad; pasta dishes like Linguine with Pumpkin Sauce; and entr?es such as Potato and Onion Frittata, Spinach Risotto and Pizza Amalfitan (rectangular, with fresh tomatoes and Parmesan cheese). There are chapters on stocking the pantry, planning menus and concocting festive desserts, with many hints along the way on using meat substitutes, cooking dried beans and preparing unusual vegetables (cippoline, broccoli rabe and squash blossoms, for example). Despite some deep-frying, dishes are generally light and often as simple as pasta tossed with olive oil, garlic and capers. Family reminiscences lend warmth, supporting Criscuolo's assertion that in her household "love was served on the platters."
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Because of religious traditions that for many years mandated meatless Fridays, Italian cooking has always had an undercurrent of vegetarianism. Easy availability of fresh local produce in town markets only enhanced this tendency. Experienced cookbook author Criscuolo turns to recipes from her Italian-born grandmother for her newest vegetarian cookbook, and she turns out simple, attractive recipes that will delight anyone eager for Italian dishes without meat. Like all good Italian cooking, Criscuolo's recipes rely on the best ingredients, simply presented. She offers risotto prepared in the traditional manner but with broth made from spinach. Only a few recipes call for meat substitutes, but there is a profusion of cheese, whose sharp, distinctive pungencies are not readily duplicated by soy-based substitutes. Criscuolo's imaginative approach combined with Italian cooking's popularity makes this book a good selection. Mark Knoblauch

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Plume; First Printing edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452278813
• ISBN-13: 978-0452278813
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #848,961 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good memories, Good food--simple &delicious, January 15, 2007

By 

Marie44 "marie44" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Claire's Italian Feast: 165 Vegetarian Recipes from Nonna's Kitchen (Paperback)

I lived in New Haven for many years and enjoyed going to Claire's Corner Copia at least once a week during luchtime. The food was delicious, inexpensive, and the restaurant was small and cozy, with great casual atmosphere, and a very friendly staff. I moved to the west coast in the mid-80's and really missed my weekly walk to Claire's. I was so excited to find this book! It brought back many good memories, and now I can recreate the great food I used to enjoy. The ingredients are easy to find, and the food is filling and satisfying. I also have her Claire's Corner Copia Cookbook, which I highly recommend getting as well.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 12, 1999

By 

Suzanne Shasteen "East coast rider" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Claire's Italian Feast: 165 Vegetarian Recipes from Nonna's Kitchen (Paperback)

This is such an easy cookbook to follow. I hate to cook and my friend let me borrow hers and I loved it so much I'm buying my own.