Mario Batali

I was disappointed with the limited categories - basically dressed up salad, bread, pasta, and pizza; and two types of dessert. Yes, the recipes are easy. Much too easy. Use your imagination and toss them together without the book.

I'd only recommend this to people who can't cook at all and have no clue about combining flavors and textures.

Here is the start of the cult of fresh, which even in Italy is not always observed or produce the best results. The book is written with a pretense of Italian while Batali was just a lost kid who found his way into the central Italian countryside. But bravo and good for him; with recipes that are doable and easy to follow.

This book showed a lot of promise but ultimately failed for the most part, in that is neither a great travel narrative nor a great cookbook. I have watched the companion TV series, and even though it captures smart, intelligent people, visiting beautiful towns in Spain, and dining on wonderful food, it somehow lacks the spark that makes you want to stay involved.

This is one of those cookbooks that you are more likely to read than to actually use. The recipes seem fairly complex, if you're not very familiar with Italian cooking techniques, and some of the ingredients are hard to come by. My local grocery has a pretty basic pasta section: spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni, penne; these recipes seem to call for dozens of variations! (I have also never seen rabbit on offer at the butcher's counter.) Still, I am always looking for inspiration, and this volume show more has some great ideas. show less