Made in Italy

August 15, 2011
Cookbooks can be as much about lifestyle as they are about food, and this stylish volume from the host of the Cooking Channel’s travelogue Rocco’s Dolce Vita offers an aspirational glimpse of modern Italian living. Rocco, who lives in Italy and regularly travels around the country, is inspired by the simplicity of traditional cuisine. His own cooking philosophy is “quanto basta,” or “as much as you want”: he believes in giving readers a general guide, but encourages them to adjust dishes according to their own tastes. The collection of recipes begins, refreshingly, with aperitivi both classic (negroni) and modern (the panzanella, with cucumber, basil and vodka). Antipasti, insalate, and contorni emphasize ingredients over technique, with an uncomplicated tomato melon salad, sautéed escarole, and roasted fennel. Pizza, pesto, and calzone recipes illustrate the versatility of these dishes and their regional variations. While the bulk of Rocco’s repertoire are standbys like spaghetti alla carbonara and chicken cacciatore, there are a few slightly more exotic surprises nestled into the mix, like a risotto with yogurt and fresh herbs, wild boar stew, and chestnut fritters. Where the book truly shines, however, is in its stunning imagery—the olive harvest pictorial alone is enough to inspire a trip abroad. Photos.