Adding to her list of cookbooks, Giada De Laurentiis presents her "New Italian Favorites" with the cookbook Giada's Kitchen. This collection of 100 recipes boasts the flavors of italian food with a fresher, lighter twist. There are seven chapters of recipes, accompanied by large, colorful photos, ranging from appetizers to desserts and just about everything in between. Also included in the book is a section called "Menus" in which 18 different menu plans are provided, for occasions such as an "Italian Picnic" to a "Movie Night."
While many of the recipes are simple and easy to prepare, there are also a number of recipes with an intimidating list of ingredients and many steps to complete in order to prepare the dishes. That being said, this cookbook can appeal to a range of ability levels and palates, providing enough simple recipes for the everyday cook and some more elegant, gourmet type meals for those willing to tackle the challenge.
Italian Appetizer Recipes
"Appetizers and First Courses," the opening chapter of the cookbook, has 15 different recipes for small bites and beverages. It is clear from the beginning of this book that the ingredients will often be fresh produce and herbs. For example, the appetizer recipes call for tomatoes, fresh mint, fresh thyme, apples, lemons, and watermelon. Notable recipes from this section include Mediterranean Bruschetta, which De Laurentiis says her mother used to make her as an after-school snack, and Tomato, Watermelon, and Basil Skewers.
Soups, Panini, and Snacks
At least 16 different soup, panini, and snack recipes are contained in the second chapter of the cookbook. There is a nice variety of choices in this section, with simple snacks like the Croissant Panini, which requires only five ingredients, to the more involved Fish Minestrone with Herb Sauce. Keep in mind that making many of these recipes will require the use of several kitchen appliances and cookware; items needed for various recipes are a blender, grill pan, food processor, and a panini press.
Salads and Vegetables
Keeping with the trend of fresh ingredients established early on in the cookbook, the "Salads and Vegetables" chapter provides recipes for 14 different light dishes. These salad and vegetable dishes are a bit more complex than what one might expect, with ingredients lists containing upwards of 10 ingredients for some, such as the Asparagus, Artichoke, and Mushroom Saute with Tarragon Vinaigrette and the Baked Artichokes with Gorgonzola and Herbs.
Italian Pasta Recipes
An Italian cookbook wouldn't be an Italian cookbook without the pasta. De Laurentiis delivers 18 new pasta dishes in the chapter of the cookbook called "Pasta." Recipes like the Penne with Shrimp and Herbed Cream Sauce, Orecchiette with Sausage, Beans, and Mascarpone, and Linguine with Shrimp and Lemon Oil are sure to satisfy pasta lovers. This chapter provides a lot of options for hearty or light pasta meals.
Meat, Poultry, and Fish
In this chapter, "Meat, Poultry, and Fish," De Laurentiis takes some classic dishes and give them a new spin. Rather than a typical burger, there are Prosciutto Lamb Burgers. Instead of a traditional steak on the grill, there is the Rib-Eye Steak with Black Olive Vinaigrette, and to jazz up fried pork chops, there are Pork Chops with Fennel and Caper Sauce.
Many of the recipes contain helpful instructions on how to serve the dish. Some also contain an additional note, providing alternative cooking methods or other useful suggestions. For instance, for the Chicken with Balsamic Barbecue Sauce recipe, the note explains that the chicken will work baked rather than grilled, if desired.
Italian Dessert Recipes
Showing her skills as a trained pastry chef (in addition to traditional chef training), De Laurentiis gives an assortment of dessert recipes in the "Desserts" chapter of this cookbook. Some of the desserts are a bit involved when it comes to the preparation, such as the Chocolate Panna Cotta with Amaretto Whipped Cream, which requires several steps to complete. Others, like the Almond, Pine Nut, and Apricot Coffee Cake take only a few simple steps.
Their is plenty of variety in this chapter of the cookbook, as well. The desserts range from fresh, fruit filled dishes to rich, chocolaty treats. There is cake, biscotti, cookies, chocolate mousse, and much more.
Fun Recipes for Kids
For families, where kids will be eating or even helping out in the kitchen, De Laurentiis dedicates a chapter, called "(Not) Just for Kids" to easy, kid-friendly recipes. Some of the stand-outs from this chapter include the Mini Calzones, which are made with cheese and turkey sausage, Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs, and Pizza Pot Pies. These recipes will be great for the whole family, not just children, as there is a refinement to the dishes, even though they are meant to please kids.
Overall, this is a well rounded cookbook, with a little something for everyone. While it is mainly Italian food, it is not just pasta. Likewise, even though some of the dishes seem a bit difficult to prepare, there is a variety of difficulty levels and types of dishes to prepare. To purchase this Giada's Kitchen or any of the cookbooks by Giada De Laurentiis, visit the Food Network Store.
Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites by Giada De Laurentiis
New York: Clarkson Potter, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-307-34659-9
Retail Price: $32.50
Jeris Swanhorst - After earning a Bachelor's degree in English, Literature from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2005, Jeris Swanhorst went on to earn ...
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