Customer Reviews

Betty Crocker's Italian Cooking

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought the original "Betty Crocker Italian Cooking" book (published 1991) several years ago. I absolutely loved it. Everything I made was delicious and easy to make. The receipes came with a history in the margins. The book was interesting and educational. I wanted to give one to my sister, but this edition wasn't available. I purchased the "Betty Crocker's New Italian Cookbook" instead. That was a big disappointment. (see my review on that edition) Just last week I decided to check Amazon to see if I could get another copy.(Mine has fallen apart from constant use.) I then saw this new edition. There were no reviews, so I took a chance and bought it. I LOVE IT. There are a few different recipes in addition to the old ones. The format is like the original edition with all of the histories included. My Italian neighbor, Gloria, thinks it's a great book also. She's a great Italian cook.(of course, she's from BROOKLYN!)

Being of half-Italian extraction (and having learned many recipes and techniques from my Italian Grandmother), and considering that I've read and/or purchased more than a dozen Italian cookbooks, I can safely say that this is the best Italian cookbook that I've seen thus far. I really like the recipes that Mr. Cecconi puts forth, but I will caution the novice cook that his directions seem aimed at those who are completely comfortable in the kitchen or have some cooking experience. If you know your way around a stove, can handle a knife and know the difference between basil and oregano, then I encourage you to expand your culinary expertise via this most awesome Italian cookbook; beware though, this is not a numbered, step-by-step, fully illustrated, hand-holding direction guide for new cooks. On the other hand, if you're looking to hone your repertoire of Italian recipes, I'll save you the trouble of looking elsewhere for a single-volume cookbook that covers it all......this is it. From appetizers to desserts and everything in between, this book gives you the recipes and insight needed to fool your guests into thinking that you are a true Italian chef. If cooking is more than a chore to you and you're looking to cook in the true Italian style, then you must buy this book. My applause to Mr. Cecconi and to Betty Crocker.

I just got this book, and the book is fun reading as well as informative about the foods in the 20 regeons in Italy. Each recipe contains easy to follow directions, prep times, and cooking times. If you love simple and great Italian food, this book is for you.

This is a great book. My girlfriend and I like to cook many of the recipes included in this well illustrated cookbook. The meals in general are easy to cook and taste great. The book includes various pasta dishes, bread, dessert, pizza, salad, and meat dishes. Well worth the money.

I love this cookbook! The recipes are very authentic and the variety is excellent. I make a recipe from this book at least once a week, and I've had the book for a year. I recently bought a copy for my mother-in-law. I've had people tell me that my food tastes better than something from an Italian restaurant. The recipes do involve a lot of cooking, since most of them use fresh herbs and vegetables. But the quality makes it worth the time! Happy cooking!

This is one of my favorite Italian cookbooks. The recipes in this book are easy, don't require hard-to-find ingredients and best of all, taste great! I have made several recipes and have been pleased with all. Another book I would recommend would be the Italian Cooking Encyclopedia published by Hermes and Hermes (these recipes are more complicated, but authentic!).

I am an American living in Italy now for 34 years in the Puglia and Friuli regions. My wife is from Bologna, the 'cucina' of Italy. So I think I speak from experience in the culinary delights of Italy. This is the best cookbook I have come across. I have just recently gone into retirement and I am keeping a promise with my wife that I will fill my new found spare time in learning how to cook. An American friend when visiting me last summer gave me this book signed by Antonio Cecconi. At least once a week I try a recipe from this book. 90% of the time, my wife gives me kudos and this is the woman I married 30 years ago mostly for her cooking....(tongue in cheek here). Thank you Antonio, for a great product.

This is a really great book for vegetarians. I was looking for an Italian cookbook that is specifically vegetarian but all that I've found are too bulky or too eccentric. If you just want to cook traditional Italian food (and I'm not talking about that Olive Garden stuff) and be inspired to think up your own dishes, this is perfect. This has great recipes for brushetta, soups, salads, pasta sauces, made-from-scratch pizza, salads, soups, breads, and desserts. Roasted eggplant and red pepper sandwiches (pg 178) with an olive marinade has become my favorite. It's so easy but sooo delicious. Out of seven chapters, only one is devoted to meat. One is also devoted to only vegetables and salads. The rest of the chapters use meat very sparingly and in the few recipes that do have meat, you can either scrap the meat or just bypass the recipe. The book is a great size with a hard cover and lays flat pretty easily. I love that the recipes are very consistent, and this is why I prefer cookbooks to scouring the internet. Most recipes are seasoned with salt, fresh ground pepper, fresh herbs, and cheese. Italian food is perfect for vegetarians for its simplicity and price, and this book is perfect for introducing vegetarians to Italian cooking. And don't let the Betty Crocker label fool you. I was afraid to open the book thinking it was going to be nothing but processed foods thrown together but it's not at all. Buon appetito! :)

A must-have for anybody into the Mediterranean diet or just loves Italian cooking. Betty makes it straight-forward, simple and delicious - as always.

A great cook book. I had one a few years back but lost it when I moved. I was happy to see it on Amazon and ordered another one. The recipes are very Italian yet not too complicated for every day cooking. The desserts and soups are especially good.