Rustic Italian (Williams-Sonoma): Simple, Authentic Recipes for Everyday Cooking [Hardcover]

This summer I visited Rome and the coast of Italy with my husband. I didn't know what to expect and was surprised by the simple yet wonderfully delicious food. I absolutely feel in love. Still on a high when I returned I saw this book and was pleasantly surprised to see recipes for dishes we had enjoyed. I make Speghettini con Zucchine e Speck all the time; a dish we enjoyed in a small cafe when we were looking for a fast meal. I really enjoy the notes from the author which are included with each recipe; it makes me want to learn even more about my new favorite place on earth.

I don't have much time but I am surprised this book isn't getting more reviews. When it first came I looked through and thought, "maybe there's not so much in this one from Domenica", but once I got time to take a look through, I made four things from the book the first weekend I played with it. All were interesting and so easy, I even was making them in a relative's kitchen with rudimentary equipment. The recipes don't necessarily look that different if you have a lot of italian cookbooks (as I do), but she adds little twists to each that are really interesting with so little work. The title "Rustic Italian" is a bit overplayed these days so maybe that's why more people aren't reviewing this little gem. It's a winner and I will be keeping it handy!

RUSTIC ITALIAN (William Sonoma):
Simple, Authentic Recipes for Everyday Cooking
By Domenica Marchetti; photography by Maren Caruso

A review by Marty Martindale

Domenica Marchetti proudly calls upon her Italian heritage in over 100 recipes. This is a beautiful 223-page Italian cookbook with a great number of beautiful, full-page photographs.

Rustic Italian is broken down into six parts: Antipasti, Soups & Salads, Pasta, Fish & Meat, Sides and Desserts. Marchetti also includes a Meat and Cheese Guide, a Wine Guide and her suggestions for an ample Italian pantry. At the start of each recipe section, the author shares even more of her recollections of her beautiful birth country.

Here's a random selection of some of her promising recipes:

SPIEDINI DE GAMBERI
GRILLED SHRIMP AND LEMON SKEWERS
Calls for olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary and red pepper flakes

RICOTTA AL FORNO
BAKED RICOTTA WITH TOASTED PINE NUTS
Requires only olive oil and basil leaves

ZUPPA DI ROSO SELVATICO
WILD RICE SOUP WITH PORCINI AND ESCAROLE
Unsalted butter, olive oil, leeks, white wine, broth, heavy cream and parsley

INSALATA DI MART
CITRUSY SHRIMP AND CALAMARI SALAD
Lemons, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, red onion, pepper flakes, parsley, bay leaves and lemon zest

INSALATA VERDE CON DATTERI
BOSTON LETTUCE WITH GORGONZOLA AND DATES
Hazelnut oil, balsamic vinegar, butter lettuce, red onion and chopped hazelnuts

FARROTTO CON PORCINI E PECORINO
RISOTTO-STYLE FARRO WITH PORCINI AND PECORINO
Olive oil, garlic, thyme, shallot, white wine, broth and balsamic vinegar

SPAGHETTI CON RICOTTA
SPAGHETTI WITH GRATED TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
Olive oil, garlic and basil

CAPESANTE CON SALSA VERDE
PANFRIED SCALLOPS WITH SALSA VERDE
Parsley, anchovy fillets, garlic, bread crumbs, capers, red wine vinegar and flour

ASPARAGI AL FORNO CON ASIAGO
SPRING ASPRAGUS AND ASIAGO GRATIN
Olive oil, bread crumbs, parsley and lemon zest

SAUTE DI CAVALO NERO E CECI
SPICY SAUTEED KALE AND CHICKPEAS
Garlic, olive oil and red pepper flakes

PERE COTTA AL VINO
POACHED PEARS WITH MASCARPONE CREAM
Dry Malvasia wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, vanilla bean, lemon, orange and heavy cream

FICHI AL FORNO CON BALSAMICO
BAKED FIGS WITH BALSAMIC HONEY AND BLACK PEPPER
Butter, mint leaves and vanilla ice cream or mascarpone. *

This glossy cookbook has a classy look and will make an excellent gift.