I bought this book after seeing the Scotto family on the Today Show. I was thrilled to find a used copy immediately on Ebay. I collect cookbooks and have so many Italian cookbooks, but this one rises above the crowd in several ways. The recipes all come from a well known established NYC restaurant, Fresco. What made me most happy about this purchase when I received the book was the wonderful inspiring photographs of the kind of classic Italian dishes that make you want to go to your local Little Italy and mangia portions out of large family style platters as are shown in the illustrations in this book! They use homey family names like Sunday Sauce with Meatballs, Sausages, and Pork Chops. This wonderful looking dish is shown on its serving platter in one illustration, but also in the pot on the stove submerged in a huge pot of sauce and also being ladeled out and onto the platter in different parts of the book. It seems to capture the perfect basic Italian home style dishes like no other book on my shelf. There are also beautifully appealing photos of Pappardelle with Duck Ragu, Braised Pork Shoulder with Tomato, Fennel, Onion, and Barolo Wine, one of my favorite salads Watermelon and red Onion Salad in the Scotto's version with Watercress and Muscat Vinaigrete. Also pictured is a beautiful version of Ricotta pie, Fresco's Torta Rustica. There is a wonderful looking appetizer that is akin to the lowely mozzarella stick called Spiedini alla Romao that is gorgeous and oozing and served with an anchovy butter and parsley sauce. Among the dishes that sound intiquing even though they are not photographed are Cheddar Cheese Risotto with Caramelized Onions and Smoked Ham, Meatball Lasagna, and their Sausage and Rice Tukey Stuffing. Another one is Grilled Salmon Cured with Dried Chamomile and Fresh Herbs with Rosemary Tuscan Fries. And this is just the beginning! After you have seen many wonderful dishes and are very happy you have bought this book but still want to see if there might be even more, you are not disappointed. No matter how many Italian cookbooks you have on your shelf, there is room for this one as well.Read full review
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