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loriz's review against another edition
3.0
Wouldn't usually sit down and read a cookbook like a 'regular' book, but I found this in the local 'little free library' and it was enjoyable to page through on a hot day. Jamie Oliver sometimes annoys me but there are some good-looking recipes in here.
poachedeggs's review against another edition
4.0
I can't not like this book. While I wouldn't describe myself as a fan of "the naked chef", Jamie's beliefs about food do resonate with me. And the fact that he goes bumbling around Italy appropriating the recipes of grandmothers and fishermen makes his cooking even more endearing - it reassures me that my amateurish efforts may not be half as laughable as I think they are.
Oh, I do love Italian food too - and the gorgeous pictures! So I went into the reading experience already naturally biased.
Oh, I do love Italian food too - and the gorgeous pictures! So I went into the reading experience already naturally biased.
kristennd's review against another edition
3.0
The usefulness of this book depends in large part on how many Italian cookbooks you already own. I previewed this via the library and fortunately so, because I already have most of these recipes, or close enough. But if this will be your first, second, or third Italian book, it could still be quite worthwhile and the instructions are straightforward with plenty of photos. It does seem to be about 50% Sicilian, which isn't what everyone expects from an Italian cookbook. A recipe for fresh tuna meatballs in tomato sauce inspired me to check this book out, but the dish is also on his website. The other new ideas were roasted squash with cinnamon and chile and a sort of spumoni rice pudding. A $35 cover price requires a little more, however. Some of the photos will be offputting to some. He shows recently-butchered animals, and not just fish. They also used unripe tomatoes in several shots (the recipes did call for ripe), which aren't at all appetizing.
eberico's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't made anything from this one yet, but it's very pretty - and in parts gruesome. Jamie Oliver believes that you should know where your food comes from, and makes no qualms about showing the animals that you're eating. Those parts can be difficult - but the cookbook is great.
plathheart84's review against another edition
4.0
As a fan of cookbooks and italian food in particular I definately would recommend this book to friends and family. I use this all of the time, even just as inspiration. Jamies pizza dough recipe has become a staple in my household and paired with a pizza stone it creates a authemtic italian pizza experience! Our household is vegetarian and although there are many meat dishes in this book I find it gets more use than some of my veggie books. I love reading this and thinking of ways I can adapt a meal to make it vegetarian. If you like italian food buy this!
hannahmayreads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
For anyone beginning to explore Italian, this book would be a perfect starting point. I say this as not only does Oliver provide wonderful recipes, the Italian-ness of them is explained. Each dish has a story, and Oliver is an expert in telling it. I'd also highly recommend it as this is from a chef who is not only trained in the Italian way of cooking by Italians, but wrote the book, and discovered many of the recipes, because he went to Italy and bothered to look beyond pizza and pasta (though both are included) and talk to people at markets, in their homes, and in small local places.
Oliver's Italy is the real Italy, and their is no point learning about anything else!
Oliver's Italy is the real Italy, and their is no point learning about anything else!
clarel's review against another edition
4.0
The recipes in this book are generally expensive and time consuming to make, but it's a gorgeous production and full of interesting ideas.
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