Everyday Pasta
by Giada De Laurentiis
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Book Reviews of Everyday Pasta
Book Review: Great recipes!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been a fan of Giada de Laurentiis since watching her cooking show on the Food Network, and loved her cookbook, Everyday Italian, that had lots of interesting recipes, and were generally fuss-free. In her latest offering, Giada doesn't disappoint...the cookbook is filled with great, practical pasta recipes,and also recipes for sauces, salads, and side dishes.
There are useful tips interspersed throughout, for e.g. pasta-cooking tips, how to match pasta shapes to sauces, grating cheeses, no cook pasta sauces & different ways to dress up risotto.
The book itself is divided into several sections: antipasti & appetisers [e.g. parmesan popovers], side dishes [e.g. greens with gorgonzola dressing], soups and pasta salads, hearty pastas [e.g. crab & ricotta manicotti], lighter dishes [for the more health conscious, e.g. eggplant mezzaluna ravioli], stuffed pastas, quick & easy weeknight pastas [e.g. penne with beef and arugula], flavored pastas, pastas for special occasions [champagne risotto!], & even some basic recipes.
Best part is that most of them are easy to make, and in fact can be made with ingredients at hand. The pictures are a delight, and a feast for the eyes, and the recipes are mouthwatering indeed. Another winner from a lovely and talented chef!
Book Review: Delicious, Easy, Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book to help me around in the kitchen a little. I'm not a very good cook, but after reading the reviews I figured I'd try it. I decided to have people over for dinner and cook out of this book. First, I couldn't decide which recipe to make. They all seemed so simple and tasty. Finally I picked out the one I liked. I went to my local grocery to pick up all the ingredients needed. I ended up paying around $20 for everything I needed and a little more.
Cooking the dinner was very easy. The directions are simple and easy to follow. The only thing I can complain about is the meal was a little bit too spicy for some of my guest. However while eating it they all praised my cooking, saying it was really really good, and ate it all even with the spiciness. My boyfriend even said it was so good he would have thought it came from a restaurant from a professional chef.
I plan on making every single recipe in this book, I love it. If the outcome is anything like the dinner I made last night I might order all of her books!
I hope in her other books there is an index, if not that may drive me crazy! Overall I LOVE this book!
Book Review: Supermodel & Culinary Lightwieght
Summary: 1 Stars
Given some of the masterful texts out there on Italian cookery, it's hard to fathom why on earth anyone would waste his/her money on what is essentially a slick, lightweight series of glamourshots. (I'm guessing it's aimed at the same people who buy the stuff with that "Nigella" creature on the front.)
I have nothing against beautiful women, and if you're considering this book because you want to look at one, be my guest.
If, however, you want to learn something of Italian cooking, do yourself a favor and order "The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" by Marcella Hazan, or Elizabeth David's classic "Italian Food." Comparing Miss De Laurentils to either of these two kitchen icons is like comparing Britney Spears to Billie Holiday.
If you must have a newer, slicker, more graphically appealing work in your hands, at least go for Mario Batali's "Simple Italian Food," "Molto Italiano", or "Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen" by Lydia Bastianich.
Book Review: You're buying Giada's presence more than substance
Summary: 3 Stars
I love Giada de Laurentiis. I am a fan. I love her show, I love the way she presents food. That said, I will probably not purchase this book. I bought her Everyday Italian at a book signing and liked it enough, even though there are more pics of Giada in low-cut shirts than of the recipes. I didn't buy her second book, and I won't buy this one. Why? Because I can find many of the recipes for free on the food network website, and because frankly, I don't want to pay $ for pics of Giada.
The recipes are ok, they're geared towards people who would like her show, not anything more hardcore, and that's ok. I watch her show still. But unless you are one of the die-hard fans who wants to get the same necklaces she wears on every episode and wear the same cute tops and you'd buy anything she writes, there are better Italian cuisine books out there to spend your money on.
Book Review: Shes done it again!
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely love this book! Giada is incredible ! Her shows are entertaining and her enthusiasm and passion for food are infectious! I (now) own all 3 of her cookbooks and I have to say "Everyday Pasta" could easily be my favourite installment. This book has beautiful colour photos and is very easy to follow not to mention, inspiring....I love the pasta glossary although minimal and I agree with one review where it could have contained pics of the pasta thats described but...thats about the only "flaw" to this book.
I have tried a few recipes from her previous books and have been very pleased with the results. I cant wait to start with Everyday Pasta...
Buying this book wont promise you an entry into the culinary school in Paris BUT it is guaranteed to inspire you in some way.
HAPPY COOKING!