Twelve: A Tuscan Cook Book (Paperback)

~ Tessa Kiros (Author), Manos Chatzikonstantis (Photographer) "This book is about ingredients and what I have seen people here do with them, and it is about the joy brought by each month..." (more)
Key Phrases: pasta dough following, outer green stem, small dried red chilli, Vin Santo, Swiss Brown (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A 12-month journey through the tastes of Tuscany.

In this exquisitely photographed book, Tessa Kiros uses each month of the year as a device to explore and record recipes in seasonal cooking with fine ingredients. Her personal observations throughout reveal the nuances of the Italian meal.

"The Store Cupboard" has tips on filling the pantry with the right ingredients. The "Basics" section provides preparation instructions and recipes that Tuscan home cooks learned from their parents and grandparents. Substitutions for harder-to-find ingredients are offered along with encouraging tips on improvising to suit any taste. Wine notes and a glossary round out the book.

Here are examples of the fabulous recipes: - Risotto alla Toscana (Tuscan risotto) - Spezzatino di cinghiale (wild boar stew) - Zuccotto (chocolate and vanilla sponge pudding) - Melanzane alla parmigiana (baked eggplant with tomato, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese) - Stracotto di manzo (beef braised in red wine)

Twelve is a sensitive, personal exploration of one of the world's most popular culinary traditions by an author who lovingly shares her discoveries with the home cook.

About the Author

Tessa Kiros has opened gourmet restaurants in Sydney, Athens, and Mexico, and cooked at London's famous Groucho Club. She currently lives in Tuscany and is also the author of Falling Cloudberries: Bk.2.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Whitecap Books (March 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552857328
• ISBN-13: 978-1552857328
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #238,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Italian cookbook, April 27, 2004

By	Diane Carr (Atascadero, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Twelve: A Tuscan Cook Book (Hardcover)

I love this cookbook and not just because I met the author at a cooking school in Siena. It is beautifully written, striking photography and a great format. Set up to showcase what is fresh each of the 12 months of the year. Most of the recipes are fairly simple and ingredients available. All of my friends that went to the school bought the book also. We have all tried many recipes from it. Some were dishes we made in class. The Cantuccini are my all time favorite & have become an expected Christmas gift every year from me. A truely wonderful cookbook.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Ideas for Each Month of the Year, April 29, 2006

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The title of this book, 'Twelve' comes from the twelve months of the year. In the cold months of winter warm heavy soups seem a lot more reasonable than they do in the warm days of August. Ms. Kiros uses this concept to describe what she recommend during each of the twelve months.

She is very tuned in to what becomes available during the month; in April strawberries arrive and their slightly astringent qualities are said to help drive away the winter-accumulated toxins. April is also the month when artichokes show up at the market. In the month of April she cooks with a view to what is avaiable, and what just seems to be proper for the month.

Ms. Kiros, daughter of a Finnish mother and a Greek father traveled around the world learning cooking styles. Then after marriage she settled in Tuscany, norther Italy, and began to study the regional favorites. This book is the result. It is a large book, profusely illustrated and introduces a lot of unusual recipes. It's not hard to find something for your next dinner party.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars TWELVE and Tuscany, November 9, 2006

By	A. Joy Galloway "Joy of Joy's Cooking" (San Diego, Ca USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While staying in a villa for a month I found this wonderful book in the owners cookbook collection. As I leafed through the pages, with descriptions of food and the seasons I was captivated by Tessa Kiras' ability to marry the seasons and the foods into a feast. Even if you are not a passionate cook, you will be coaxed into trying these easy, simple recipes. To travel once again to the beautiful Tuscan region I need only open my book and I am savoring the sights and tastes of Italy. Try Twelve for yourself or gift a friend, you'll love it from cover to cover. Joy Galloway