Biba's Northern Italian Cooking (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Antipasto means ""before the pasta.""..." (more)
Key Phrases: dry unflavored bread crumbs, warm deep dish, butter foams, Basic Egg Pasta Dough, Meat Broth, Plain Tomato Sauce (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Biba Caggiano, Bologna-born and raised in the Emiglia-Romagna region, gives her audience the chance to cook like a native in Biba's Northern Italian Cooking. The author of six cookbooks and owner and chef of Biba restaurant in Sacramento, Calif., prepares simple to sumptuous meals, from antipasto to dessert, with dishes for all occasions. First she discusses essential Italian ingredients and equivalents and begins each course section with a brief account of what it entails. Her Green Lasagne Bologna Style, Shellfish Risotto, Pheasant with Gin and Juniper Berries and Pears Poached in Red Wine will lure eager diners to a bounteous table.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Italian-born Biba Caggiano takes readers under her wing with more than 200 recipes from Northern Italy-the center of great cooking. Simple-to-master recipes cover tortellini from scratch, authentic pasta sauces, savory meat dishes, luscious desserts and more. This new edition features everything from simple dishes for a family meal to more elaborate recipes for special occasions, including:

* Homemade Minestrome
* Tagliatelle Bolognese Style
* Shellfish Risotto
* Bruschetta with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil
* Roasted Leg of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HP Trade (January 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557883807
• ISBN-13: 978-1557883803
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #341,821 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's now my daughter's turn, June 20, 2005

By	Paul Egitto (Reading, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An earlier edition of this continues to be my favorite Italian cookbook after 15 years. I just purchased a new copy to give to my daughter for her first cookbook.

Every recipe from this book that I've tried over the years has been delicious. There are other great Italian cookbooks out there, and I own some of them, too. I like this one in particular for Caggiano's recipe selection, and its sample illustrations of preparation technique and presentation. The visuals were reassuring when I was new to cooking and entertaining. Now, when I'm deciding on a dinner, this is one of the books I consult out of reflex.

Italian cuisine varies across the penninsula. Most Italian-Americans came from the south. If you are accustomed to southern italian cooking, many of the recipes in this book will be brand new to you, and add a savory variety to your menu.

From appetizers to pasta, polenta, risotto, main courses, vegetables, sauces and desserts, I've made many wonderful dinners with what I call "Biba's book".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biba Caggiano's "Northern Italian Cooking", January 30, 2004

By A Customer

I have been cooking with this cookbook for years, and my mother did for years before me. Biba is the only person she and I would dare consult for the amount of parmigiano-reggiano to put in our pesto sauce, and the recipes from this fantastic cookbook have saved many a dinner party from what would otherwise have been a boring menu. Her risotto recipes are divine, and her sauces and condiments are foolproof, time after time. I recommend her pesto genovese, as well as her bechamel sauce.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny!, April 30, 2004

By	J. Okamoto (Staten Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just love this cookbook! Biba's recipes are well explained and go from simple and hearty to elegant and sophisticated! This is my northern Italian cookbook bible! Try the shellfish risotto, friggione, or tuna fish sauce recipes, and you'll see what I mean.

Biba also includes seasonal menus which has really helped me a
lot with putting together dinners for my husband's Italian family! This is a great set of recipes and, if you like Italian food, or, if you're like me and don't really like pasta - this may be the book you've been looking for!