Marcella Cucina

Published by Macmillan, 1997, hardcover,  illustrated, index, 399 pages, condition: as new.

Marcella Hazan's Marcella Cucina is a the recipes glow with the diverse flavors of Italian regional dishes, the instructions are precise, and the full-color photographs are a fine complement to Hazan's writing, which is both clear and alluring. Along with recipes, tested to perfection, Hazan shares warm, personal stories along with snapshots of Italian life and her usual caring advice. The diversity of dishes in Marcella Cucina runs from Zucchini and Thyme Pasta Sauce to Fish in Crazy Water, Assunta's Beans, Stewed Beef Cubes with Pickles, Capers and Red Wine, and Yogurt and Sambuca Cake.

"Love this book. I'm a cookbook reader/junkie/collecter/user and picked this up at a used bookstore and find I go to it quite often for fricassed chicken and/or lamb recipes for family dinners. In the first few weeks tried about 6 of the recipes. They use a few ingredients, are simply prepared and are very tasty. I digress but I like watching Lidia's Table on tv and her cooking style and food philosophy seem quite similar - my guess is "authentic" Italian. Use only the best and freshest ingredients and cook them simply. Enjoy Marcella's intros and background information. It's one of those cookbooks you love to read not just cook from because of what you learn and the ambience it creates. It really makes me want to visit Italy and soak up all that food and culture."