Cristina's Tuscan Table
I am a proud Toscanaccia, a Tuscan troublemaker, as the other Italians call us," says Cristina. "We Tuscans invented the fork and followed it up with Dante, Michelangelo, and the Renaissance."In Cristina's Tuscan Table, her second cookbook, Toscanaccia Cristina Ceccatelli Cook once again dishes up an array of simple, seasonally inspired recipes based on the rich traditions of her heritage. Straight from Cristina's restaurant, a European-style bistro located in the world-famous ski resort of Sun Valley, the dishes presented here are among the favorites of her discerning clientele. Prepared with passion, Cristina's food has-since 1993-garnered raves from sophisticated reviewers, from legions of local regulars, and from her family and her friends.Illustrated with over 160 superb photographs, Cristina's Tuscan Table draws the reader into the intimate world of this world-class restaurateur, her extraordinary staff, her devoted customers, and her pedigreed Italian roots. Woven into the text are delightful little tips and stories, morsels of memories that include wisdom from Cristina's grandmother, secrets from the kitchen, and images of family life focused around food and love and a joyful abandon to the sensual.  In Cristina's Tuscan Table you will experience the flavorful pleasures of Cristina's food with dishes such as Scampi al Dragoncello, Smashed Tomato Caesar, Crispy Lamb Chops, and Pumpkin Tiramisu. The recipes in this collection, adapted for home kitchens, are easy-to-follow, imaginative, and irresistible.If you dream about the perfect meal-with laughter and warm conversation and splendidly satisfying food-follow Cristina into the pages of this book and you'll find it, whether you are an aficionado of her restaurant, an admirer of her first cookbook, Cristina's of Sun Valley, or simply a fan of good food.  At Cristina's table there is room for everyone.Italian colonnade (inside front cover)Cristina Ceccatelli Cook grew up in Italy on her family's estate in Tuscany. She is the founder and owner of Cristina's Restaurant, which she opened in 1993, five years after moving to the United States. She lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, with her husband, Steve, a local architect. She is also the author of Cristina's of Sun Valley.