Pasta Fresca: An Exuberant Collection of Fresh, Vivid, and Simple Pasta Recipes (Paperback)

by Viana La Place (Author), Evan Kleiman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
" Pasta fresca , to us, means pasta that is fresh, vivid, and uncomplicated," note La Place and Kleiman ( Cucina Fresca ), Californian champions of "golden, glowing pasta" who seek to do away with the "strong, bitter tomato sauces that had been on the stove since time immemorial, with gigantic meatballs perched precariously on top." The authors prefer fare that "expresses a sense of freedom" and can be quickly prepared; their nearly 130 recipes for pasta soups and sauces, baked and stuffed pasta and gnocchisome intensified by anchovies, saffron, fennel tops or mascarponewill appeal to cooks with little time to spare. Many dishes are accessible and appetizing, especially the raw sauces (spaghetti with tomato-lemon sauce; beach pasta; pestos). More trendy are carrot-amaretti dumplings and "salsa rosa con vodka." Though the authors assert that "few people other than grandmothers have the time to make pasta at home," they offer instructions on how to roll your own by hand and machine, and provide a primer of pasta shapes, from orecchiette , "little ears," to linguine , "little tongues." Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"A highly innovative and charming cookbook to inspire you." -- --Los Angeles Times

"A spirited cookbook that dispels the myth of heavy Italian food." -- --Chicago Tribune

"The freshness of the recipes is what them so appealing. That they are so simple adds to their charms." -- --New York Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Cookbooks (June 19, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060935081
• ISBN-13: 978-0060935085
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #417,687 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After ten years, my favorite cookbook, November 14, 2002

By	Gail Martin (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

I found "Pasta Fresca" when it first came out in the early '90s and have loved it ever since. The recipes are easy, simple, and fresh. Summer Spaghetti: Fresh tomatoes and basil, marinated at room temperature with garlic and olive oil, tossed with mozzarella and hot pasta. "Beach Pasta": Small pasta shells, tuna, tomatoes, olives, and anchovies. Both have become staples for me, and every new recipe I try from the book turns out well. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It also makes a great wedding present for couples just starting out.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Italian Pasta Recipes, May 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Pasta Fresca: An Exuberant Collection Of Fresh, Vivid, And Simple Pasta Recipes (Hardcover)

I bought this book on a lark and now use it often with great results. The last time that I made dinner from it my guest was overwhelmed by the great aromas wafting from the kitchen. She loved the meal as well. The recipes are easy to understand and include unusual ideas that I have never seen before.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who needs pictures? It's the taste that counts!, December 12, 2005

By	CB (Alzey, Germany) - See all my reviews

I bought this cookbook several years ago. While other cookbooks while away in the cupboard, "Pasta Fresca" lives on my kitchen counter.
The recipes are good and mostly easy. The only challenge is finding some of the ingredients. (Luckily most of the recipes do not require hard-to-find ingredients.) But the search for black olive paste is well worth it: "Fusilli lunghi all' Amalfitana" sends us to Seventh Heaven regularly. Why, it's almost as good as a trip to the fairy tale land of Amalfi!