AN ITALIAN KITCHEN

A diverse collection of Italian recipes with a focus on seasonal cooking.

Brancatisano presents a body of beloved Italian recipes that, in keeping with her belief that “the essence of great Italian cooking” includes “respecting the seasons,” is divided into five sections—one for each season, and a bonus “basics” section that covers eight staple dishes like meat broth, tomato sauce, and focaccia. Each seasonal section contains recipes that range from appetizers and pasta to proteins (including veal and lamb), as well as desserts. Each recipe opens with a brief paragraph or two detailing the dish’s origin and suggesting the best way to serve it. The author also occasionally offers alternative variations—the “spring” section’s crocchette di patate (potato croquettes), for example, can be made with or without breadcrumbs. “Summer” focuses on dishes using fresh fruits and vegetables, such as pappa al pomodoro. The “autumn” and “winter” sections lean more heavily on earthier recipes, like zuppa di castagne e funghi (chestnut and mushroom soup) and risotto radicchio e gorgonzola. Gorgeous full-color, full-page photographs of the dishes are included alongside the recipes—these are all fairly short (one page or less), which allows Brancatisano to include an impressive number of them (21 to 28 in each section). While all the dishes look impressive, the actual preparation and work that go into them are not beyond a beginner’s grasp. Even when tackling the intricate torta mimosa (a sponge cake with diplomat cream filling and limoncello syrup, and the single exception to the “one page or less” format), the steps never feel overwhelming or overly complicated. While certain dishes, such as spaghetti al nero di seppia (spaghetti in squid ink), may seem a bit too adventurous for some readers, Brancatisano offers a delightful blend of the familiar and the unexpected—all conveyed with a warm and encouraging voice that coaxes out even the most reluctant chef.

A mouth-watering cookbook that joyfully celebrates authentic Italian flavors with simple, seasonal recipes.