Gelato!: Italian Ice Creams, Sorbetti, and Granite (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Johns has made a specialty of single-subject cookbooks on Italy: her other titles include Balsamico! and Parmigiano! She starts with the history of Italian ice cream and its cousins, then moves on to frozen desserts ranging from Chocolate-Hazelnut Gelato to Caramel Semifreddo. But there are fewer than 50 recipes in all, and some are for cookies and other accompaniments, so the stars of her book don't really get to shine: only three granite recipes, a dozen for sorbet, and 17 for gelato. Not a necessary purchase.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

With instructions and 60 recipes, gelato lovers everywhere can satisfy their craving for Italy's most beloved dessert. Lower in fat than most ice creams and easier to make, gelato is the antidote for those who find themselves longing for the taste of summer in Italy.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580081975
• ISBN-13: 978-1580081979
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #678,325 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very pretty and glossy, but lacking in some basics, July 5, 2001

By	Jennifer "Jennifer" (Jamaica Plain, MA United States) - See all my reviews

I was very excited to get my first ice cream maker. I ordered this book, as well as Bruce Weinstein's "The Ultimate Ice Cream Book : Over 500 Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, Drinks, and More". While this book does a wonderful job of describing how Italians have made gelato, and the art and science involved, the recipes can be complicated and a little obscure. For example, she lists a prickly cactus pear sorbetto (the cactus has it's own lenghty preparation - if you can even find the stuff!), but there is no recipe for chocolate gelato or sorbet. (There is one for chocolate-hazelnut gelato, so it can be adapted). I like the inclusion of the more obscure varieties, but not at the expense of the basics.

It is a beautifully photographed and presented book, and would actually look quite good on the coffee table, or make an informative read outside the kitchen. However, I'm a little afraid to actually bring in into the kitchen, for fear of messing it up!

After my first 4 batches, I prefer Weinstein's book for variety, and for many flavors he offers more than one recipe so I can choose which level of complexity I want in the preparation. I haven't made enough batches to comment yet on how the final products came out, but thus far I am inspired to try more from Weinstein's book. I can relax and read this book while I eat my frozen treats.

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great review of gelato!, June 15, 2000

By	"1flame" (Berkeley, California) - See all my reviews

The author does a great job of explaining what makes gelato so good (much better than what any "super-premium" brand has to offer, in my opinion). If you love ice-cream and want to know how to make it in its purest form, then this is the book for you. I loved it.

53 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ice Cream Maker and Enthusiasm Required!, July 25, 2000

By	"kingsransom" (Como, Italy) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful gift for ice-cream lovers (and we all know at least one!). Readers do not need an interest in Italian cuisine to appreciate the delicious recipes found in this book. A home ice cream makers is required but this does not mean the recipes are hard. On the contrary, I found the recipes to be very simple and easy to follow. And while waiting for the ice cream to finish, readers can browse the moth watering color photos! The end result is a pure, creamy and rich ice cream that is unrivaled by any store bought brand.