A True Taste Of Rome

Nothing beats Roman life, especially  the culinary life.There are mouth watering cold cuts, heavenly gelati and the best part of the city,tons of fresh air markets selling fresh verdure or vegetables and frutti, fruit.Now there's a new book, a hybrid of cook book and tour guide to show you around the Eternal City,

Elizabeth Minchilli has given us this interesting book, Eating Rome:Living The Good Life In The Eternal City (St. Martin's Griffin Press) and it is a view into Italian life and cooking. It is the perfect guide for those not only spending a holiday in Rome but two or three months. Every aspect is covered, from breakfasts to desserts. She dispenses useful advice and tips when eating at trattorias along with how to properly eat pizza. There is a mini dictionary and lesson how to cook and serve roman veggies such as artichokes,There is even a chapter on cooking like an Italian mama and how to make it perfectly like she does. The book is also a great travel guide with dozens of ristorantes, gelaterias, and trattorias reviewed in short, punchy paragraphs. This is perfect for first timers, wanting to experience the entire Roman food holiday.Ms. Minchilli lists coffee shops to enjoy an espresso and also explains why tourists should never end a meal with a cappuccino (it's a breakfast coffee). There are also a chapter on the head to tail dining as well and how to enjoy that everyday luxury- a  fresh tripe sandwich .

The book is also excellent for true Roman and some Puglese recipes (Ms. Minchella's husband is from Bari)It's perfect for recreating dishes and giving the family table that dolce vita feeling. There are traditional dishes such as rabbit vignarola, a spring stew made with rabbit, fava beans ,peas and artichokes.Unlike other Italian cookbooks, Ms. Minchilli  features many green or verdure recipes There is an entire chapter on the star of the local cuisine, artichoke. It is popular, first being made in the Jewish Ghetto. She gives the recipe for  carcioffi de giudea , crispy deep fried chokes that are easy to make and easy to eat How to make a good Panini, always a puzzle to American home chefs is demystified along with a helpful guide regarding the breads used.Another treat of Roman dining is coffee and there are some delicious recipes such as an almond coffee, made with homemade almond milk, PIzza and pasta are also included along with some  very versatile pancetta recipes.She wrote about  grappa too, that dessert must have , perfect for relaxing and curling one's toes.

For anyone going to Rome or just those home chefs who love the city's unique cuisine , Eating Rome:The Good Life In the Eternal City is the perfect gift. It captures the flavors of a city known for delicious meals an desserts, coffees and sweets. It is the a sweet paean to a flavorful city, full of good foods and yummy treats!