Italian Coastal (Amber Guinness, T&H)

Amber Guinness’s Italian Coastal: Recipes and stories from where the land meets the sea takes readers on a tour of the seven Italian regions that sit on the Tyrrhenian Sea—places like Naples, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily. From crostini and cocktails for aperitivo, to pasta, fish, contorni (sides) and dolci (sweets), it’s been a while since I’ve earmarked so many recipes I’ve wanted to try in one book. Guinness opens by focusing on ingredients and ‘an engrained philosophy of only championing what is available (and making do with what is to hand)’. This is a refreshing change from cookbooks that require you to buy ingredients you may only use once. Thoughtfully curated menus allow you to mix and match the recipes, adjusting from a cosy kitchen supper to a feast to impress. As you move through the recipes, Guinness imparts historical titbits, places of interest, personal anecdotes and memories, and introduces food specific to the local areas. Her musings on the Mediterranean climate, volcanic soil, and generations of cultivation energise the dall’orto (from the vegetable patch) section and explain why you really can’t beat a tomato grown in Italy. Saghar Setareh’s dreamy photographs of the region help transport you to an Italian summer, while the simply styled photos of the food reflect the down-to-earth nature of the book. Italian Coastal will satisfy both the palate and the wanderlust of anyone seeking a culinary adventure.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is the Books+Publishing reviews editor. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews