Trattoria : The Best of Casual Italian Cooking (Casual Cuisines of the World) [Hardcover]

Mary Beth Clark (Author)

Book Description

Series: Casual Cuisines of the World | Publication Date: November 1995

Bring the authentic flavors of Italy to your table with Trattoria, as Italian cooking expert Mary Beth Clark shares the secrets of over 50 casual classics of the trattoria table. Featured are some of Italy's favorite home-style dishes, such as Spinach Gnocchi in Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and an irrestitble Tiramisu. Each recipe is accompanied by clear, concise instructions and a full-page, full-color photo. 54 recipes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Part of a series launch, this celebration of Italian-style comfort food offers a sophisticated range of recipes from Bocconcini Salad to Sweet Gorgonzola with Baked Figs and Honey. Aiming to highlight straightforward, uncomplicated flavors, the recipes are comparably direct. Penne with Arugula in Tomato Cream Sauce is a quick first course; Eggplant and Walnut Ravioli in Tomato-Pesto Sauce (made with one's own pasta dough, for which a recipe is included, or with purchased fresh pasta sheets) and Spinach Gnocchi in Gorgonzola Cream Sauce will require more time. Such main courses as Duck with Vin Santo and Monkfish with Potatoes and Artichokes are, like most of the dishes throughout, for home-style Italian cuisine, not a hybrid American-Italian fare. While a considerable number of recipes call for heavy cream in substantial quantities, there is plenty here for those who hope to cook low-fat Italian food. Each recipe is faced by a full-page color photo; a discussion of wines and a glossary are also included.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sunset Publishing Corporation; 1St Edition edition (November 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0376020385
• ISBN-13: 978-0376020383
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #668,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Author Knows Her Stuff, September 18, 2000

By 

Stephen Motte - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trattoria : The Best of Casual Italian Cooking (Casual Cuisines of the World) (Hardcover)

An excellent choice for a gift book for those who love authentic Italian Cooking, or even better for yourself. You would have to do months and months of research to gain the knowledge contained in this book. The pictures will make your mouth water, and the instructions will easliy guide you as you learn the secrets of the Tratorria. I highly recommend it. Purchase and enjoy this book, and maybe, if you're lucky, Mary Beth will send you her secret recipe for Lasagna.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Casual elegance, October 30, 2003

By 

Lynn Harnett (Marathon, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trattoria : The Best of Casual Italian Cooking (Casual Cuisines of the World) (Hardcover)

Organized by course, the sumptuously illustrated "Trattoria" focuses on casual dishes as served in neighborhood restaurants throughout Italy.

Appetizers include crostini, bruschetta and grilled shrimp wrapped in prosciutto and zucchini. First courses include classics like lasagna Bolognese and Tuscan vegetable soup as well as an elegant, time-consuming eggplant and walnut ravioli in tomato-pesto sauce.

Main courses offer a similar range, from Neapolitan-style braised beef Braciole or duck with Vin Santo to swordfish rolls stuffed with shrimp. And for dessert - Tiramisu, plum cake or sweet gorgonzola with baked figs and honey. This balanced presentation is capped with accompanying photographs of the finished dishes which are absolutely irresistible. Also included is a chapter of basics - pasta making and stocks.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book on informal Italian cooking, March 30, 2010

By 

B. A. Schoomer (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trattoria : The Best of Casual Italian Cooking (Casual Cuisines of the World) (Hardcover)

This is the book I turn to for quick and easy Italian dishes. Authentic real Italian food that reminds me of dining in Italy. While the author is a highly regarded chef, her writing is easily accessible to those of us who are less accomplished cooks.
Highly recommended.