Bold Italian
InBold Italian, Scott Conant, chef-owner of Manhattan's L'Impero, provides full-flavored recipes like Pappardelle with Duck Ragu and Black Olives, and Braised Oxtail and Sweet Potato Risotto. This collection of 130-plus recipes travels beyond Italy, that country of happy eating, offering a wide range of delicious, relaxed fare. Dishes like Almond Gazpacho; Braised Spareribs with Tyrolean Potatoes; and Artichoke and Slow-Roasted Salmon with Trumpet Mushrooms and Turnips show Conant's gift for savory cooking that's also, thankfully, easy to prepare. Sweets like Tiramisu Parfait and Muscavado Cake with Caramel Apple Sauce also receive his careful yet unfussy treatment, as do several specialty breads. With photos and good information throughout (never cook canned chickpeas, for example), this collection is for everyday as well as special-occasion cooking.--Arthur Boehm