Ciao Italia Family Classics Book Review by ChristineMM

Posted February 07, 2012 | 0 Comment(s)

My Star Rating: 5 stars = I Love It

My Summary Statement: High Quality Hardbound Book with Excellent Photographs and Truly Classic Recipes

I’m not of Italian descent but grew up in Connecticut with a large Italian immigrant population. We had access to Italian import grocery stores and family run restaurants were everywhere. I married an Italian American man who loves to cook so my exposure expanded and I began to cook more and more Italian “slow food” at home. When I moved to Texas last year I realized I’d taken access to these foods for granted now that I have a hard time finding high quality ingredients and imported Italian foods. I can't even find decent restaurants that make authentic type Italian food or even a decent pizza. So we're cooking slow food at home now more than ever before.

My first impression of this cookbook was one of familiarity, because it is has over two dozen recipes that our family already enjoys eating at home or in favorite Italian restaurants. Now that we have the recipes we can make these at home. The other 150 recipes are new to me and I can’t wait to go through the book and try some. Esposito explains that some recipes are from her grandmothers, some are newer recipes served at gourmet restaurants in Italy and some are her own creations using classic Italian ingredients.

Read more here: http://thethinkingmother.blogspot.com/2012/01/ciao-italia-family-classics-book-review.html

Thanks for the review, Christine!

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My grandma and grandpa were from Italy and I miss the cooking. When I watch your show it brings me home again.

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Hello!!
Let me tell you just how much my family loved your recipe"Whole Wheat Penne with Meat Sauce".
The sauce was so rich, I was astonished at the flavor. Thanks again for such a great dish.

JUST LIKE GRANDMA USED TO MAKE, BRAVO!!!!

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I have been watching you for years Mary Ann, and my husband any I admire you as a very hard working lady, and we always say I would eat that because you know if Mary Ann made it, it's good.

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The amazing Mary Ann has done it again! Easy, always delicious and reminiscent of family times eating together, enjoying the food and each other. It doesn't get any better than that!

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I grew-up watching my mother watch your show, and now I watch it! I enjoy when you speak of your family traditions and recipes. I come from a Spanish Catholic Family of 11 not counting my parents! So Mary Ann, very much like you; Family,Food and Tradition went hand in hand. My Favorite food to eat is not Spanish Food, it is Italian Food! My Brother's & Sisters love me to cook spaghetti with both sausages and meatballs! Thank You for all you do!

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Hi Mary Ann. OMG!Your Pistachio Dusted Pork Chops were to die for! We loved them, they were a big hit, and they are definitely worth repeating. My husband thought he wouldn't like the pears & dried apricots but they were d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! His 88 yr old father, who is originally from Nicolosi, thought that I served him too much but he cleaned up his plate! Love you, love your show, love your spunk and no nonsense, professional approach to cooking. Thank you for teaching us about Italy and giving us so many wonderful cooking tips!

— Sandra