The Cookbook Junkies

Florentine – Emiko Davies Review and Giveaway

by 102 Comments

florentine_front cover

 

Florentine by Emiko Davies grabs you from its first line: “In Florence, history has a way of weaving itself through every aspect of life, and food is no exception.” After the book has us in its warm embrace, the stories and photographs keep us there content to page through and experience the beauty of Florence.

When a cookbook’s first recipes are a Crostata di Marmellata (Apricot Jam Crostata), Pastry Cream and a Cornetti (Italian Brioche Croissants) and it’s pictures are simply gorgeous — I graciously surrender my heart and find room for it on my overpopulated shelves. Have no fear, Florentine is not just about the sweet side of life – every course is covered.

Emiko Davies’ tour of Florence begins with The Pastry Shop (pastries, doughnuts), continues with The Bakery (breads, pizza, cake), The Market (vegetables, salads, beans), The Trattoria (soups, crepes, sauces), The Butcher (meats, of course) and finishes with Out & About (crostini, sandwiches, gelato).

I love the details covered in this title – from photographs detailing “the butter block”, step-by-step process photos of the Sfogliatine (sweet puff pastries) to narrative as simple as describing a typical Florentine breakfast – it is a true joy to read.

The recipes of Florence are beautiful, yet simple. Pear & Ricotta Ravioloni, Florentine Fried Chicken, Polenta with Tuscan Kale and Fennel Frittata will entice us and draw us into the kitchen to dream of Italy while creating these dishes.

 

Random Number Generator picked #96 Valorie Wolf – an email has been sent.

GIVEAWAY:  I ordered this book and a week later a review copy was delivered – so I am going to pass on this good fortune to one of you. One U.S. reader will win a copy of the book from me. To enter: please leave a comment on this post telling me if you have ever traveled to Italy. For a second chance, please share this post. Be sure to leave two separate comments if taking advantage of both options. A random winner will be chosen on April 3rd, 2016. Good luck.

Thanks to Hardie Grant for the review copy of this title which allows me to share my ordered copy.

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Comments

  2. 2

    I’ve always wanted to visit Italy where my grandparents are from. My mom’s parents are from Sicily and my dad’s from Naples and Rome.

    Reply
  5. 6

    I went to Italy the first time with my daughter and her new husband on their honeymoon! We attended a cooking class in Florence. Next time, I went with the same daughter to a cooking school in Abruzzo. I fell in love with Italy!

    Reply
  10. 11

    I was literally on a culinary tour of Italy 4 years ago to the day! Miss it so much and can’t wait to return!!

    Reply
  33. 34

    Yes, I traveled to the Northern part of Italy. To the beautiful Lago Maggiore. It was beautiful. Across the lake you can see the Swiss.

    Reply
  35. 36

    After watching the movie Gran Blue, I wanted to go visit Italy 🙂
    I was lucky enough to visit the town Taormina in Sicily ( where it was filmed ), with a couple of nights in Rome and visited Pompei & Naples. Florence, Tuscany and Milan is on my bucket list in this lifetime or the next.

    Reply
  41. 42

    I just came back from Rome. I’ve been on vacation to Italy three times now and always love the food the most. Once we travelled through Tuscany on a food-trip adventure. It was a bliss! I would love to win this cookbook 🙂

    Reply
  44. 45

    I traveled to Italy many years ago as a student and then again recently to Sicily. I can never get tired of Italian food.

    Reply
  47. 48

    On my bucket list–cooking lessons in Italy. The Cookbook Junkies should take a field trip. Wouldn’t that be a blast?

    Reply
  53. 54

    Fifty plus years ago I landed in Italy for about an hour on my way to Greece and then on to Ethiopia with the Peace Corps. And I know that doesn’t really count. So the only other way is in books and dreams.

    Reply
  58. 59

    Some day I will make it to Italy! It is on my bucket list 🙂 Until then, I shall travel vicariously via reading!

    Reply
  59. 60

    And I shared via email to a couple of friends (this giveaway and the others!) Thanks so much for being so generous 🙂

    Reply
  61. 62

    I was briefly in Florence for pur thirtyfive anniversary i Kent walking With my nose in the air The whole City is a Museum
    The food !!!!!!!’n

    Reply
  64. 65

    I’ve been to Venice. And from all the places I’ve traveled, I found it the most surprising. There is no duplication here of knowing you have to take a boat to cross a street.

    Reply
  68. 69

    I have never been to Italy, but it’s on my bucket list. I plan to eat my way through the country when I get there!

    Reply
  72. 73

    I’ve never traveled overseas, I’d love to one day. Italy offers us so many wonderful dishes and desserts that our family enjoys. I’ve been looking for cannoli forms and will probably order on Amazon as my husbands favorite dessert is Cannoli. I bet the pictures in this cookbook are gorgeous, cookbooks like this usually have such nice stories or sentiments too.

    Reply
  74. 75

    About 16 years ago I spent time in Sorrento, visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum. Got introduced to limoncello, a beautiful friendship has ensued!

    Reply
  76. 77

    I’ve been to Italy a couple of times and have always loved it! I’ve been fortunate enough to go to Rome, Venice, Pompei, Vicenza, Nove and Pisa. My last trip to Italy I took my boys on Spring Break and we stayed with a friend stationed in Vicenza. While in Italy getting a scoop of gelato became a daily routine and we had some of the most amazing food. The Vicenza region has a local specialty of Pear stuffed ravioli with fresh sage – it was absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  78. 79

    Unfortunately I haven’t been able to visite lovely county of Italy. Love olives, pasta,handbags, shoes and wine. I am sure Italy would suit me just fine :}

    Reply
  79. 80

    Haven’t been to Italy…afraid I’d gain weight like in “Eat, pray, love”. I know I’d have to have pasta with wine everyday followed by copious amounts of gelato!

    Reply
  81. 82

    I have not been to Italy but my Great grandparents and Family came from the Lake Como area in 1906-7. So this would a Wonderful Journey for me.

    Reply
  85. 86

    No, not yet! But Florence has been on my list since friends of ours vacationed there a few years ago. They did not stay in a hotel, but rented an apartment, did all their own cooking – every day, they would visit the various markets to figure out what to make for dinner. Sounded like heaven to me! 😉

    Reply
  90. 91

    I have! When I was in high school, I visited some friends living in Milan. We also went to Venice. A wonderful trip.

    Reply
  91. 92

    I have traveled to Italy, twice! Florence was actually one of my favorite cities of all I visited, the food was incredible. It’s literally the most amazing place in the world and I am dreaming of the day I get to go back.

    Reply
  92. 93

    We first traveled to Italy to visit friends who were seconded to the NATO base in La Spezia for 3 years. It was a great visit as we got an insiders peek at the everyday lives of the locals. Priceless! Then we were there at various ports on a cruise for our 25th anniversary. Wonderful country. And I have fond memories of our lunch in Florence. And yes, I’d be happy to share my US address should I win…..

    Reply
  94. 95

    I have never been to Italy, but I love wine and Italian food! My husband and I never got to go on a honeymoon, so I am really, really hoping that we can get to Italy in the next year or 2, to celebrate either our 7th or 8th anniversary. Italy is on my wish list of places around the world to travel to!

    Reply

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