109 of 116 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very pretty and glossy, but lacking in some basics, July 5, 2001
This review is from: Gelato!: Italian Ice Creams, Sorbetti, and Granite (Hardcover)
I was very excited to get my first ice cream maker. I ordered this book, as well as Bruce Weinstein's "The Ultimate Ice Cream Book : Over 500 Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, Drinks, and More". While this book does a wonderful job of describing how Italians have made gelato, and the art and science involved, the recipes can be complicated and a little obscure. For example, she lists a prickly cactus pear sorbetto (the cactus has it's own lenghty preparation - if you can even find the stuff!), but there is no recipe for chocolate gelato or sorbet. (There is one for chocolate-hazelnut gelato, so it can be adapted). I like the inclusion of the more obscure varieties, but not at the expense of the basics.
It is a beautifully photographed and presented book, and would actually look quite good on the coffee table, or make an informative read outside the kitchen. However, I'm a little afraid to actually bring in into the kitchen, for fear of messing it up!
After my first 4 batches, I prefer Weinstein's book for variety, and for many flavors he offers more than one recipe so I can choose which level of complexity I want in the preparation. I haven't made enough batches to comment yet on how the final products came out, but thus far I am inspired to try more from Weinstein's book. I can relax and read this book while I eat my frozen treats.
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56 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ice Cream Maker and Enthusiasm Required!, July 25, 2000
This review is from: Gelato!: Italian Ice Creams, Sorbetti, and Granite (Hardcover)
This is a wonderful gift for ice-cream lovers (and we all know at least one!). Readers do not need an interest in Italian cuisine to appreciate the delicious recipes found in this book. A home ice cream makers is required but this does not mean the recipes are hard. On the contrary, I found the recipes to be very simple and easy to follow. And while waiting for the ice cream to finish, readers can browse the moth watering color photos! The end result is a pure, creamy and rich ice cream that is unrivaled by any store bought brand.
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39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great review of gelato!, June 15, 2000
This review is from: Gelato!: Italian Ice Creams, Sorbetti, and Granite (Hardcover)
The author does a great job of explaining what makes gelato so good (much better than what any "super-premium" brand has to offer, in my opinion). If you love ice-cream and want to know how to make it in its purest form, then this is the book for you. I loved it.
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