In the sumptuous style of classic Italian cuisine, this collection of delectably authentic recipes reinvents vegan. Mouth-watering dishes burst with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil – all within an animal-free diet, ideal for lactose-intolerant eaters and vegetarians, too. Delicious Italian food was made for bountiful and flavor-filled variations, not weak substitutions – which is why none of these recipes calls for tofu, soy milk, or other ingredients that mimic meat, dairy, and eggs. Now readers can treat themselves to something scrumptious – even if they can’t make it to Italy this year.
There is only one Harry’s Bar. Located on Venice’s Calle Vallaresso, near the Piazza San Marco, this legendary restaurant has been, for five decades, the meeting place for artists, writers, royalty, maestros, divas, celebrities, the very rich, and lots of ordinary – but very wise – Americans and Europeans. Everyone from the Windsors and the Onassises and the Burtons to Cole Porter; Ernest Hemingway, and Joan Crawford has come here for great food, fine drinks, and the incomparable ambiance. Now, to the delight of his legions of customers, Arrigo Cipriani shares his favorite stories about Harry’s Bar and its secrets–and reveals for the first time his treasured recipes for the restaurant’s most popular dishes. Harry’s Bar above all, is a bar. Its distinctive mixed drinks were created by its founder, Arrigo’s father, Giuseppe Cipriani, and they remain the social center of the establishment. Therefore, you’ll find careful instructions for making the world-famous Bellini (the frosty, frothy combination of rose-colored peach elixir and Prosecco, the Italian champagne) and the secret of making the Montgomery, named by Hemingway himself, which is nothing less than the driest, most delicious martini in the world. Harry’s Bar is also famous for its sandwiches–mouth-watering, overstuffed, unique concoctions: pale yellow egg sandwiches spiked with anchovies; chunks of freshly poached chicken or shrimp bound with creamy, newly made mayonnaise. The Harry’s Bar club sandwich is a legend in itself, knife-and fork food that’s simply superb. But the bar’s famous risottos and the dozens of pasta dishes – including ravioli, cannelloni, and tagliolini –are the house specialties. Potato gnocchi and simple country food such as polenta, squid, baccalà, and beans are transformed into elegant dishes by skillful chefs. Cipriani also invented the sublime dish known as carpaccio and the glorious risotto alla primavera, brilliant ideas that have been imitated all over the world. The original recipes appear here for the first time. The secret of Harry’s Bar is not only its great drinks and magnificent food, but also its extraordinary atmosphere, in which high spirits pour forth happily. Arrigo Cipriani captures this spirit and tradition, and delivers it all in his own inimitable style. The Harry’s Bar Cookbook is much more than a cookbook: it’s an enduring experience to be savored and enjoyed.
The Medieval Kitchen is a delightful work in which historians Odile Redon, Françoise Sabban, and Silvano Serventi rescue from dark obscurity the glorious cuisine of the Middle Ages. Medieval gastronomy turns out to have been superb—a wonderful mélange of flavor, aroma, and color. Expertly reconstructed from 14th- and 15th-century sources and carefully adapted to suit the modern kitchen, these recipes present a veritable feast. The Medieval Kitchen vividly depicts the context and tradition of authentic medieval cookery.
Loretta Paganini had the good fortune to be raised in Bologna, the kitchen of Italy, by two generations of Italian chefs. In Bologna Mia, she has gathered together over 90 of her family’s treasured recipes, each one evoking vivid memories of the kitchens she spent time in during her childhood. Each of these recipes comes with a story. Paganini shares with us her paternal grandmother’s famed pasta recipes (Paganini believes it was her magical tortelloni that helped her to charm her husband), the wisdom of her maternal grandmother’s delicate hands, and the recipes for her mother’s Cordon Bleu award-winning specialty pastries, tortes and appetizers…. The Bolognese are known for having a knack for taking simple ingredients and combining them to create uniquely flavorful dishes. In Bologna Mia, Paganini captures the exciting flavor of the Bolognese culture, the incredible flavor of its dishes, as well as the passion her family feels for food.
Creamy, satisfying and delicious, risotto is one of the world’s favorite rice dishes. This Italian comfort food is so versatile; it works well made with vegetables, fish, shellfish, meat, poultry and game. Different regions of Italy have their own classic rice dishes, from the soupy Rice and Peas of the Veneto to the Hunter’s-style Rabbit Risotto of Umbria and Tuscany, but what they all have in common is the careful cooking of the rice to perfection. For a simple but comforting dinner, there are plenty of dishes packed full of warming cheese and butter, such as Saffron Risotto, Wild Mushroom Risotto or Artichoke and Pecorino Risotto. Lighter fish and shellfish dishes include the dramatic Black Risotto, flavored with squid ink, Seafood Risotto or Crab and Chile Risotto. There are also many tempting meaty options, from hearty family meals to dinner party dishes. Children and adults alike will enjoy Ham and Leek Risotto, while you can impress guests with Pheasant and Red Wine Risotto. There are also a few ideas for using up leftover risotto (or for when you simply want to ring the changes), such as Arancini or Rice Croquettes with Tomato Sauce, as well as some surprising sweet delights such as Cherry and Almond Risotto Puddings or Risotto Ice Cream. With useful recipes for various stocks, easy-to-follow instructions for making a basic risotto and a guide to the different kinds of rice available, this is a complete guide to risotto for all lovers of the classic Italian dish.
