Pasta: William Sonoma Collection [Hardcover]

Erica De Mane (Author), Chuck Williams (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

From spiral pasta tossed with fresh pesto to a delicious lasagne layered with duck and cream sauce, the variety of pasta dishes is an endless source of inspiration in the kitchen and a pleasure at the table.

Williams-Sonoma Collection Pasta offers more than 40 easy-to-follow recipes, including both classic favorites and fresh new ideas. In these pages, you'll find inspiring pasta dishes designed to suit any occasion -- from a light summer supper to a festive dinner party. This expertly photographed, full-color recipe collection, appealing to both novice and experienced cooks, will become an essential addition to your kitchen bookshelf.

"I hope you'll use a recipe from this book to make pasta for dinner tonight!"

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Williams-Sonoma, purveyor of choice gourmet products and kitchenware, has also created a collection of succinct yet comprehensive cookbooks. Part of the series, Pasta offers 40 all-occasion recipes that reflect the company's signature good taste. From classics like Spaghetti alla Carbonara and Fettuccine Alfredo to quick-supper specialties such as Green Farfelle with Tomato Sauce and elegant dishes including Crab Ravioli with Crème Fraîche and Basil, the book offers a wide range of astutely chosen recipes. Formulas for seasonal pastas, such as Penne with Lamb Ragù and Mint, and hearty vegetarian pastas, like Roasted Eggplant Lasagna, are also included.

Accompanied by color photos that show the pastas in all their glory, the Italian-rooted recipes are completely doable, and will appeal to a wide range of cooks. Throughout, sidebars (like "Cooking with Spirits") offer useful information on techniques and ingredients; a glossary and basics section are also helpful. Though small in size, the book provides an inclusive store of superior recipes and instruction. --Arthur Boehm

About the Author

Erica De Mane writes about Italian cooking for such publications as Food & Wine, Gourmet, Fine Cooking, Saveur, and the New York Times. She contributed to the new Joy of Cooking and to the Food & Wine books Pasta, Soups and Stews. Her first solo book, Pasta Improvvisata, was published to wide acclaim. An active member of the International Slow Food Movement, De Mane lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743224434
• ISBN-13: 978-0743224437
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Cooking by Ingredient > Pasta

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent cookbook, February 9, 2003

By 

TFic (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pasta: William Sonoma Collection (Hardcover)

When I first received this book I pretty much read it from cover to cover. It's a delight. Each recipe has a corresponding full-page photo. Further, a pertinent, and what I found to be enlightening, piece of information is included as a sidenote with each recipe. I wrote down 11 recipes that I plan to try -- more typically two, maybe three, is the number of recipes that I will make from any one cookbook. Anyhow, I have made the bolognese sauce w/ fresh egg pasta and it was excellent. The entire family loved it! The sections are well thought out and can be used as a guide to what you need. Want something fast? Quick Suppers. Something tried & true? the Classics. There were several terrific sounding recipes under Elegant Entertaining. Great to look at, fun to read, and well-chosen recipes. It's a keeper.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful recipes, October 22, 2005

By 

NuJoi "Create with me" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pasta: William Sonoma Collection (Hardcover)

This book has great pasta recipes. The fettuccine alfredo is too good for words. This book keeps in line with the series -- well-written recipes, beautiful photos of every dish.

The pasta basics section has good advice on fresh pasta. I wish it would have included info on making it with a food processor. I think that's covered in the new Mastering series from WS, which is billed as more technique than recipe.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Recipes and Basic Info...., March 19, 2006

By 

The Bookie (La Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pasta: William Sonoma Collection (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book for the home chef. It has recipes that even the most timid beginner can sucessfuly (and effortlessly) complete.

It is beautifully photographed. The recipes are concise and easy to follow.

I love the informative sidenotes that accompany each recipe. A beginning cook can learn a lot from reading them.

I recommend this book for all cooks.