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In her hit Food Network show Everyday Italian, Giada De Laurentiis shows you how to cook delicious, beautiful food in a flash. And here, in her long-awaited first book, she does the same-helps you put a fabulous dinner on the table tonight, for friends or just for the kids, with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of flavor. She makes it all look easy, because it is.
Everyday Italian is true to its title: the fresh, simple recipes are incredibly quick and accessible, and also utterly mouth-watering-perfect for everyday cooking. And the book is focused on the real-life considerations of what you actually have in your refrigerator and pantry (no mail-order ingredients here) and what you're in the mood for-whether a simply sauced pasta or a hearty family-friendly roast, these great recipes cover every contingency. So, for example, you'll find dishes that you can make solely from pantry ingredients, or those that transform lowly leftovers into exquisite entrées (including brilliant ideas for leftover pasta), and those that satisfy your yearning to have something sweet baking in the oven. There are 7 ways to make red sauce more interesting, 6 different preparations of the classic cutlet, 5 perfect pestos, 4 creative uses for prosciutto, 3 variations on basic polenta, 2 great steaks, and 1 sublime chocolate tiramisù-plus 100 other recipes that turn everyday ingredients into speedy but special dinners.
What's more, Everyday Italian is organized according to what type of food you want tonight-whether a soul-warming stew for Sunday supper, a quick sauté for a weeknight, or a baked pasta for potluck. These categories will help you figure out what to cook in an instant, with such choices as fresh-from-the-pantry appetizers, sauceless pastas, everyday roasts, and stuffed vegetables-whatever you're in the mood for, you'll be able to find a simple, delicious recipe for it here. That's the beauty of Italian home cooking, and that's what Giada De Laurentiis offers here-the essential recipes to make a great Italian dinner. Tonight.
Spicy Tomato Sauce from Giada de Laurentiis's Everyday Italian
Makes about 1 quart;
Serves 4 over a pound of pasta as a main course
The sauce known as all’arrabbiata—or “in the angry style”—is made with hot red pepper flakes (and sometimes fresh chilies for an extra kick). I like to use the briny elements of olives and capers and skip the fresh chilies, adding depth to the spiciness rather than just more heat. Perfect with penne or rigatoni.
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup pitted black olives, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons drained capers, rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• Generous pinch of dried crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 28-ounce can crushed Italian tomatoes
In a large skillet, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. When almost smoking, add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the olives, capers, ½ teaspoon of salt, and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and simmer until reduced slightly, about 20 minutes. Season the sauce with more salt to taste. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)
This cookbook has become a go-to staple in my busy household. We have tried about 75% of the recipes Giada presents and have found them all to be absolutely fantastic! The ingredients are simple and mostly fresh herbs and vegetables which really bring an amazing experience to our table. In addition the recipes are simple, no painstaking steps that intimidate novice cooks. My husband, who's not a big cook, can even follow the recipes with success! It makes him feel great and also takes the pressure off of me to always be the one to cook. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a fresh new way to make some classic Italian fare.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 6, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Giada has hit the nail right on the head with this collection of recipes, most of which call for ingredients you probably already have in the pantry (or can easily find in your local supermarket). The techniques are simple, the dishes very straightforward--this really is the food Italians enjoy cooking and eating every day. Grazia, Giada!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 2, 2008
Once I picked up this cook book I have used it over and over and over. I'm Italian and her recepies have tought me so much about Italian food. She is a awesome chef. I hope to keep seeing books from her. Oh and one more thing my 3 year old son just loves to watch her. And if I ever become pregnant with a girl, she would be named after Giada!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 18, 2009
I love Giada's recipes. They are easy to follow and the ingredients are simple to find.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.cabassa
Posted October 9, 2008
I LOVE THE WAY SHE PREPARES MEALS HOWEVER SOMETIME U HAVE TO ADD A LITTLE SEASONING I GUESS EBCAUSE WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT TASTE PALLETS HOWEVER ALL THE MEALS COME OUT WONDERFUL YUO JUST HAVE TO SEASON TO YOUR TASTE
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.L_M
Posted May 14, 2010
I absolutely love giada. She has helped me start cooking and now I can't stop. Her food is tasty and easy to make. I recommend this for starter cooks.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Cooking with Giada in her"Everyday Italian" cookbook is a must-have! The recipes are delicious and her instructions are excellent and comprehensive. They have inspired my husband to cook and we are enjoying the results. Nicely illustrated.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 16, 2010
I gave this as a gift for my daughter who watches the TV show, also. She loves it and finds it very easy to follow. Delicious results!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.PrissLC
Posted December 23, 2009
I love this cookbook. The recipes are easy to follow and not hard to understand like some of the chef's cookbooks I've used. I have made the reciped of Farfalle with turkey sausage, peas and mushrooms numerous times and there is never any left. I use just regular italian sausage and it is yummy.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 9, 2013
Good
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Posted February 23, 2013
Good
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Posted February 23, 2013
*Laughs*
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2013
I have guys fighting over me right now. You just sit in your tree crying "Oh Sleet i wish you were here. Oh Sleet, i love you so much." Yeah, honey go shove a di*do up your arse, because im done with you. *she flips you off and walks out*
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Vivi45
Posted February 2, 2013
Not my favorite . Giada was better in her early days. I'm not enjoying her current show nor her new flirtation
With her fellow cooks Iike Bobby Flay. She has a child and she should act like a mother not a flirt.
Anonymous
Posted June 7, 2012
I love her!!:)
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 17, 2011
Wonderful book easy to follow, delicious recipes. Family loves it.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Giada simplifies some of the most complicated Italian dishes while defining terms/definition of each. Lots of beautiful photography for each dish! Very good cookbook.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I love Giada de Laurentiis. She is a model chef, mother and wife and has the cutest style and her show "Everyday Italian."
This cookbook is wonderful if you want to cook tradition Italian dishes. I love the tortellini in chicken broth.
My one complaint in this book is that she doesn't bring anything contemporary into these dishes. I love anything traditional, but I wanted her cookbook to see a new twist on some of these everyday italian meals.
I am very excited to try her desserts!!
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 3, 2008
Wow! This cookbook is the best! It has well organized index and great recipes.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 18, 2008
I love, love, love this book!! Giada rocks!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
In her hit Food Network show Everyday Italian, Giada De Laurentiis shows you how to cook delicious, beautiful food in a flash. And here, in her long-awaited first book, she does the same-helps you put a fabulous dinner on the table tonight, for friends or just for the kids, with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of flavor. She makes it all look easy, because it is.
Everyday Italian is true to its title: the fresh, simple recipes are incredibly quick and accessible, and also ...