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34 of 34 found the following review helpful:
 Good Italian Dishes Sep 13, 2001
By disco75
"disco75"
I have had this cookbook for a number of years now, and give it as a gift to friends who like fresh-flavored, moderately complex to simple recipes. It is written by people who love this kind of food, know the genre, and seem to have made what they write about. The recipes are effective and the food works out each time.The book contains a number of risotto dishes, several interesting bruschetta ideas (White Bean Puree with Garlicky Mustard Greens stands out), and a range of soups, notably Fennel and Tomato Soup and Cabbage and Rice Soup. Two great side dishes are Baked Endive and Braised Fennel. As a vegertarian, I've found that many of the pasta and polenta dishes translate quite well. The authors are fond of ground sausage, sausage links, and especially pancetta. I've substituted, at the expense of authenticity but with minimal damage, vegetarian ground sausage, sausage links, and bacon. Polenta with Mushroom Saute and Polenta with Sausage and Tomato Sauce are hearty and delicious. Sausages Braised in Tomato and Orange Juice is unique and warming. Of the pasta dishes, Orechiette with Broccoli and Sausage, Orechiette with Sausage and Fennel, and Pasta with Onion Sauce are common in our house.
23 of 24 found the following review helpful:
This deserves a review! Dec 03, 2001
Cucina Rustica has inspired the first review I have written. I must say that his book was one of the best impulse purchases I have ever made. So far, I have made about 10 of the recipes and each one had become an instant classic in my house. I'm especially fond of the risotto and pasta dishes (but that's the carbohydrate addict in me talking). The ingredients are simple yet cleverly put together. I think the highest praise I can give is that my first-generation Sicilian boyfriend has cleaned his plate every time I have made one of these recipes. If you are enamoured of all things Italian (as I am), this book will be a joy.
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Great Soups Nov 09, 2003
By frk040
I bought this book about 10 years ago after reading it in a library. The soup recipes alone are worth buying this book. I still make the Broccoli, Bean, and Pasta soup on a regular basis. A great cookbook for vegetarians who are tired of the same old, same old...
11 of 12 found the following review helpful:
simple, easy, wonderful! Apr 20, 2006
By Ashley D. Franck
"A. Franck"
I have spent the last 3 and a half years living in northeastern Italy. I'll be going home to the US this year and I have to say, I'm a thrilled to have this book in my collection. Almost everything in this book (or some variation) has been served by my Italian friends at dinner parties or gatherings, or even on the menu of local eateries. This book allows me to take one of the things I love most about Italy home with me. I even picked up a few copies to give as gifts!
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Brava Viana! Dec 18, 2003
By V. Lemon
"msbooker"
This is the 3rd of Viana La Place's cookbooks I have bought; all of them are superb. She has a gift for evoking the sights and smells of luscious fresh produce, artisan cheeses and crusty breads with her lively, obviously loving, descriptions. This is the way the Italians eat: simply, with love and gusto.
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