Well known Mediterranean food expert and best-selling author Michele Scicolone has a new cookbook that everyone must own, The Italian Vegetable Cookbook. I love a cookbook that can get carnivores excited to cook vegetarian meals. Michele’s book contains beautiful photographs and great instructions.
When I received this book – I took my pack of Post-It notes and started tabbing away:
Truffle Parmesan Bigne
Herbed Goat Cheese-Ricotta Crostini
Risotto with Basil, Pine Nuts and Parmesan
Fettuccine with Ricotta and Crushed Peas
Fettuccine with Lemon Cream
Orecchiette with Potatoes and Arugula
Baked Pasta Fagioli
Gorgonzola Cream Sauce
Pistachio-Parsley Pesto
Walnut-Parsley Pesto
Spicy Onion Marmalade
Lemon Potatoes
Hazelnut Cake with Chocolate Espresso Sauce
Golden Apple Cake with Rum Cream
Honey Walnut Crumb Tart
I made lemon potatoes Sunday night and they were a huge hit -even my potato hating husband loved them. Tangy from the lemon – mildly herbal from the rosemary – so delicious. Andrew grabbed every really crispy one – and we fought over the caramelized lemons. (Yes, we ate them).
Melt the butter in a skillet large enough to hold all of the ingredients. Add the cream and lemon juice, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally until the sauce is slightly thickened, about ten minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, basil, and salt and pepper to taste, remove from the heat, and cover to keep warm.
Michele suggests her Fresh Egg Pasta – but I used a pound of dried fettuccine cooked to al dente, reserving some of the cooking water.
I have a few friends that have made the whole wheat biscotti with walnuts and raisins as well as the baked pasta fagioli and have raved.
If you love good Italian food, grab this book. If you must have meat – we added some sliced grilled chicken from yesterday’s dinner to complete the meal for my carnivore husband. It’s nice to have the protein as a side a couple times a week.
Thank you, Michele, for a beautiful cookbook.
Update — Tuesday:
Took the leftover fettuccine with lemon cream – and made chicken soup today – delicious. Served with garlic parmesan biscuits.
More gorgeous food porn photos Jenny. This book sounds wonderful
Thank YOU, Jenny, for all these great reviews. You are one helluva cook.
This one is in the top 3 of my “must buy” books. Thanks for the review.
Definitely sounds like I book I’d love. And whatever that Jim doesn’t like potatoes? Never heard of anyone not liking potatoes. Glad he liked these. Off to add this book to my wish list.
Another great book on the list then! I love potatoes and I would be so happy to learn another recipe on how to dress them up. I do like the crisp ones too 🙂