The Talisman Italian Cookbook: Italy's bestselling cookbook adapted for American kitchens. (Hardcover)

~ Ada Boni (Author) "Remove outer leaves and tops of artichokes..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Il Talismano is and has been for over 50 years the one great standard Italian cookbook. It is to Italians what Joy of Cooking is to Americans. Containing in simple and clear form the best recipes for all the foods that we associate with Italian cuisine, it covers all the regional variations of Italian cooking: Milanese, Bolognese, Venetian, Neapolitan, Sicilian, Veronese, and Florentine.

Appetizers range from the simply elegant, like Cantaloupe and Prosciutto and Artichoke Hearts in Olive Oil, to the sublime, like Tunnied Veal and Crostini of Mozzarella and Anchovies. Soups include Stracciatella, Fish Brodetto Rimini Style, and Tuscan Minestrone.

No part of Italy is very far from the sea, a fact reflected in the variety and quality of Italian seafood preparations: Flounder with Black Butter Sauce, Lobster alla Diavolo, Mullet in Piquant Sauce, Scungilli Marinara, and Shrimp Buongusto. For the landlocked there are recipes for Beefsteak alia Pizzaiola, Ossobuco, Saltimbocca, Scaloppine al Marsala, Loin of Pork with Milk, Chicken Cacciatora, Chicken Livers with Sage, Wild Duck with Lentils, and Rabbit in Egg Sauce.

Pasta is perhaps Italy's greatest contribution to world cuisine, and The Talisman contains dozens of authentic recipes like Homemade Ravioli, Green Lasagna Modena Style, and Spaghetti Marinara. There are recipes for Polenta, the Italian cornmeal preparation, as well as rice dishes and pizza.

Finally, Italian desserts are explored in full: Almond Macaroons, Pine Nut Cookies, Ricotta Pie, Zeppole, and Zuppa Inglese. There is also a glossary (complete with pronunciation guide) to Italian cooking terms.

For the American edition of The Talisman, all weights, measurements, instructions, and ingredients have been adapted to American usage. The result is a collection of recipes that are as easy to prepare as they are delicious to eat.

From the Inside Flap

Il Talismano is and has been for over 50 years the one great standard Italian cookbook. It is to Italians what Joy of Cooking is to Americans. Containing in simple and clear form the best recipes for all the foods that we associate with Italian cuisine, it covers all the regional variations of Italian cooking: Milanese, Bolognese, Venetian, Neapolitan, Sicilian, Veronese, and Florentine.

Appetizers range from the simply elegant, like Cantaloupe and Prosciutto and Artichoke Hearts in Olive Oil, to the sublime, like Tunnied Veal and Crostini of Mozzarella and Anchovies. Soups include Stracciatella, Fish Brodetto Rimini Style, and Tuscan Minestrone.

No part of Italy is very far from the sea, a fact reflected in the variety and quality of Italian seafood preparations: Flounder with Black Butter Sauce, Lobster alla Diavolo, Mullet in Piquant Sauce, Scungilli Marinara, and Shrimp Buongusto. For the landlocked there are recipes for Beefsteak alia Pizzaiola, Ossobuco, Saltimbocca, Scaloppine al Marsala, Loin of Pork with Milk, Chicken Cacciatora, Chicken Livers with Sage, Wild Duck with Lentils, and Rabbit in Egg Sauce.

Pasta is perhaps Italy's greatest contribution to world cuisine, and The Talisman contains dozens of authentic recipes like Homemade Ravioli, Green Lasagna Modena Style, and Spaghetti Marinara. There are recipes for Polenta, the Italian cornmeal preparation, as well as rice dishes and pizza.

Finally, Italian desserts are explored in full: Almond Macaroons, Pine Nut Cookies, Ricotta Pie, Zeppole, and Zuppa Inglese. There is also a glossary (complete with pronunciation guide) to Italian cooking terms.

For the American edition of The Talisman, all weights, measurements, instructions, and ingredients have been adapted to American usage. The result is a collection of recipes that are as easy to prepare as they are delicious to eat.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Crown (December 13, 1950)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517503875
• ISBN-13: 978-0517503874
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #249,577 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but one serious flaw . . ., March 2, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Talisman Italian Cookbook (Hardcover)

I bought this book with high expectations. . . I wanted to consult a cookbook that was written for Italians and was considered authentic. This book was translated several decades ago and "adapted for american kitchens" which means that a lot of the recipes are translated using substitute ingredients that are not authentic. There are a lot more italian cooking ingredients available in grocery stores today than when this book was translated but the revision does not take account of it.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was the only cookbook my mother ever used..., July 23, 1999

By A Customer

Her copy is falling apart from years of use, but it is _identical_ (not a single change) to the one I bought new a few years ago.

If you are looking for authentic Italian food that you could feel proud serving, get this book. It also has a good number of vegetarian dishes and pastries and ices.

I just used it for dinner tonight...

Her other cookbooks are excellent, as well, although they have beautiful pictures and the Talisman doesn't

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Talisman Italian Cook Book, December 24, 1999

By	Mary Ann Teti "maryabtb" (USA) - See all my reviews

My mother gave me this cookbook dated back to 1950. Special Edition Printed For: Ronzoni Macaroni Co., Inc. By: Crown Publisher, New York, NY USA. This is the best Italian Cookbook I have ever used. My mother used it to prepare all her childrens foods and I am carrying on the family tradition thru its use. Christmas would not be Christmas without the receipes included in this cherished family keepsake.