Big Night In: More Than 100 Wonderful Recipes for Feeding Family and Friends Italian-Style (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Photographer)
Key Phrases: homemade broth, red slaw, individual shallow rimmed, Green Salad, Cooks Note, September Gratin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While the phrase big night usually evokes an evening out on the town, for food writer Marchetti, it's all about keeping things close to home. A celebratory spirit permeates this well-designed title, divided primarily by course and featuring Italian-style dishes geared for entertaining. While there is a selection of easy-to-prepare yet guest-worthy dishes—farm stand sauté, rosemary-rubbed butterflied leg of lamb, double carbonara—this title isn't all about casual entertaining. Carefully planned multisectioned recipes such as the pasta timballo, stuffed veal involtini with a crumbled sausage sauce, and crepe cannelloni with zucchini and cheese stuffing are time-intensive yet sure to provide a wow factor on the table. A well-versed dessert chapter includes an assortment of crostatas and granitas. (Nov.)
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Product Description

Author Domenica Marchetti had wonderful memories of her childhood, when her Italian-born mother often cooked up homemade ravioli, lasagne, roasts, invited everyone over, and always made them feel at home with her warm and open personality. Domenica recreated those days for her own family and friends by creating over 100 simple, delicious, Italian-inspired recipes that are comforting, delicious, and perfect for any size gathering whether an intimate dinner party or a huge crowd of hungry relatives.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811859290
• ISBN-13: 978-0811859295
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,393 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Domenica's done it again!, December 5, 2008

By	Janice Rivera (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After having more than a year to enjoy her Glorious Soups and Stews I was really looking forward to anther chance to taste what Domenica was cooking up for this intriguing new cookbook. Big Night In, so aptly titled has exceeded my expectations. First of all it is such an easy layout- so well designed to help you plan and prepare a special meal. I love the colorful segmented ingredients lists which make it pleasing to the eye and make it convenient to plan. The tips, ingredient descriptions and equipment suggestions at the top of the book are very helpful. Domenica also has a lovely way of personalizing food and entertaining; just like you would exchange ideas with a good friend.
So having said that, the best part: the recipes!
I got the book just prior to my turn to host my monthly book club. This is a group of 5 women who have been meeting and exchanging hosting dinners for over 10 years. We take pride in trying to create something special for each other each time we meet. I was excited to plan a Big Night In experience for them. After pouring over all the menus I decided on the Spicy Seafood Chowder, Spinach & Apple Salad and Frank's Garlic Bread. One reason I picked this was because we have a non meat eater in the group but also it was something I could mostly prepare ahead of time so I would not be fussing in the kitchen when my friends arrived. Domenica takes care to give "Do Ahead" tips that facilitate planning.
Well what a hit it was! Our conversation was frequently interrupted with exclamations of praise over each dish. I had made an entire loaf of the garlic bread thinking I would have leftovers. Well, there were nary a few crusts left. No one turned down an offer to take some of the chowder home either for themselves or their spouses, which I was of course delighted to provide, yet selfishly realized the next day I would not get to enjoy it as many subsequent times as I hoped!
Exciting recipes, easy to follow instructions, warm and helpful commentary and gorgeous photos, make this a winner of a book. I know what I am giving as a Christmas gift to many folks on my list this year!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Kitchen My Table Cookbook Club Review, December 1, 2008

By	Lynda Zuber Sassi "mykitchenmytable" (san francisco, ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It has been a long time since we have worked with a cookbook that everyone has loved unequivocally. Despite the fact that most of the recipes we made were labor intensive, time consuming and sometimes involved making 2-3 recipes for a recipe, everyone said that they would continue to cook from the book and re-visit the recipes they had made again.

With music from the movie Big Night streaming in the background, we gathered at the table and spent 3 hours sharing stories about what we made and sampling each dish one by one. In the end, it was impossible to choose our top 3-5 like we usually do, everything was so good.

This book is thoughtfully written and well laid out. We appreciated the front matter with Tips for Planning a Big Night In, Equipment, and Ingredient Information. Domenica makes meal planning a cinch with the Menu Suggestions in the back which were well thought out. Full of mouth-watering photography and appealing recipes, it was hard to choose which to make. We ended up making 18 dishes (19 if you count 2 Minestrone soups) - now that's what I call a Big Night In - Italian family style!

The Cooks Notes, Do Ahead advice, and Goes With sections that were included in most recipes were constructive and wise. They gave us a good feeling for Domenica, at times we felt like she was in the kitchen with us or had become a friend whom we could phone if we needed cooking advice.

Overall, we liked the layout and design elements of the book. A couple people found the ingredient font size too small and hard to read especially with the darker colored ingredient boxes.

Our meal was served in three courses.

Soup and Salad
Minestrone Soup - made by 2 people
Smoky Ham and Corn Chowder
Winter Endive and Orange Salad
Farro Salad
Calabrian Fennel Salad

Main Courses and Sides
Eggplant Parmagina
Three-Cheese Stuffed Red and Yellow Peppers
Fresh Tuna Stew with Olives and Herbs
Roast Pork Loin with Carrots, Fennel and Onions
Roasted Squash Wedges
September Gratin
Tomato and Cheese Tart
Frank's Garlic Bread

Dessert
Blood Orange Granita
Baked Farro Pudding
Toasted Coconut Crostata
Drunken Strawberries
Harvest Crostata

Quotes heard through out the night:"There were so many great recipes for dinner parties"
"This was a pain to make but it is so good I'll make it again"
"The recipes were straightforward and ingredients easy to find."
"I enjoyed reading the head notes"
"The pictures were great and so many of the recipes looked so good it was hard to choose what to make"
"Loved the Do Ahead notes"
"Many of the head notes were great to read because the author would tell the reader how the recipe was personal."

Stay tuned for some of the recipes. They will be featured on MyKitchenMyTable throughout December.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cookbook....excellent for holiday planning, November 18, 2008

By	Anon novice cook - See all my reviews

I bought this after a friend's recommendation, and am so pleased with it. The recipes are a mix of easy ones as well as more involved ones. The photos are beautiful and I like how the book is organized. So far I've tried the carrot soup, loved the splash of rice, what a unique addition. Normally carrot soup recipes are too bland, but this has a nice kick to it. I also made her ham and corn chowder with great success. Great book for holidays.