Chefs of Cucina Amore, The: Celebrating the Very Best in Italian Cooking
The Chefs of Cucina Amore, companion to the television show of the same name, stands on its own as an entertaining Italian cookbook. Most of its 100-plus dishes suit the modern palate while also being true to their regional Italian roots. In the TV shows, four Italian cooking experts, singly and in pairs, cook with host Victor Schiavelli, a food writer and actor. Schiavelli, in the book's introduction, gives you the unique flavor of each chef's personality. Faith Willinger is known for her devotion to the simple food of Tuscany. Nancy Harmon Jenkins also cooks Tuscan, but here she goes beyond Italy at times, making a kind of Greek ratatouille calledsoufiko. Joe Simone, a chef from Boston, adds exuberance and more sophisticated flavors in his Butternut Squash Soup with croutons of crushed Amaretti and sautéed prosciutto. Finally, master baker Nick Malgieri offers savory baked foccacia, classic sweets like cannoli and tiramisu, and luscious Neapolitan Torta Caprese, a superrich chocolate cake. This book will bring home many of the TV show's pleasures and all of its delicious food, and reading it will expand your understanding of Italian food as well as your repertoire.--Dana Jacobi