The Unprejudiced Palate: Classic Thoughts on Food and the Good Life

by Angelo M. Pellegrini, Ruth Reichl (Editor), Mario Batali (Foreword by)

Overview

First issued in 1948, when soulless minute steaks and quick casseroles were becoming the norm, The Unprejudiced Palate inspired a seismic culinary shift in how America eats. Written by a food-loving immigrant from Tuscany, this memoir-cum-cookbook articulates the Italian American vision of the good life: a backyard garden, a well-cooked meal shared with family and friends, and a passion for ingredients and cooking that nourish the body and the soul.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780812971552
Publisher:	Random House Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/09/2005
Series:	Modern Library Food
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Angelo Pellegrini was born in 1904 in Cassabianca, Italy, and came to United States when he was ten years old. He graduated from the University of Washington, where he also received a PhD in English literature and was a professor of literature. His first book, The Unprejudiced Palate, was published in 1948, and was followed by Immigrant’s Return in 1951, Americans by Choice in 1956, and Wine and the Good Life in 1965. In 1946, Pellegrini published a recipe for pesto in Sunset magazine, which was likely the first introduction of the sauce into American culinary culture. He died in 1991.

Ruth Reichl is the bestselling author of the memoirs Garlic and Sapphires, Tender at the Bone, and Comfort Me with Apples and the novel Delicious! She was editor in chief of Gourmet magazine for ten years. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and two cats.

Mario Batali’s world now encompasses three New York City restaurants—Babbo, Lupa, and Esca—as well as a wine store, the Italian Wine Merchant. He has several television credits, including the Food Network's popular Molto Mario, as well as Mario Batali Eats Italy. He lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.

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Excerpted from "The Unprejudiced Palate"
by .
Copyright © 2005 Angelo M. Pellegrini.
Excerpted by permission of Random House Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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What People are Saying About This

Daniel Bouloud

Angelo Pellegrini’s very personal view of cookery in America in the late forties is erudite, fascinating and at times screamingly funny. His descriptions of his Italian family’s favorite dishes are so complete that they might as well be recipes, each more delicious sounding than the next.

Jessica Harris

The Unprejudiced Palate is a savory treat that, like a fine wine or good stinky cheese, has improved with age.
—(Jessica Harris, author of The Africa Cookbook and Beyond Gumbo)

David Rosengarten

Angelo Pellegrini remains undoubtedly one of America's greatest food writers. But The Unprejudiced Palate is not just about cooking; it's about taking the time to slow down and savor life. This delightful classic is a must read for those who live in our fast-food nation.
—(David Rosengarten, author of It’s All American Food, The Dean and DeLuca Cookbook and Taste)

Mark Kurlansky

The Unprejudiced Palate is a forgotten gem from what might be remembered as the Golden Age of American food writing. This Italian born, beloved Seattle professor, friend and colleague of MFK Fisher, wrote with charm, wit, and a rare intelligence about food.
—(Mark Kurlansky, author of Salt, Cod, 1968)

Jacques Pépin

Like great dishes, great writing remains in our memory forever. Angelo Pellegrini's The Unprejudiced Palate is a lesson in how to enjoy life in an elegant and highly civilized way.

From the Publisher

“I have always thought that Angelo Peligrini misnamed his charming but opinionated book.  It should have been called the Prejudiced Palate, because he is so absolutely sure and unwavering in his vision of how to live a beautiful and delicious life. And I think he’s right.”
 –Alice Waters, Owner, Chez Panisse

"Like great dishes, great writing remains in our memory forever. Angelo Pellegrini's THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is a lesson in how to enjoy life in an elegant and highly civilized way."
 – Jacques Pépin

"Angelo Pellegrini remains undoubtedly one of America's greatest food writers. But THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is not just about cooking; it's about taking the time to slow down and savor life. This delightful classic is a must read for those who live in our fast-food nation."
 –David Rosengarten, author of  It’s All American Food, The Dean and DeLuca Cookbook and Taste

"THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is a forgotten gem from what might be remembered as the Golden Age of American food writing. This Italian born, beloved Seattle professor, friend and colleague of MFK Fisher, wrote with charm, wit, and a rare intelligence about food."
–Mark Kurlansky, author of Salt, Cod, 1968

“Angelo Pellegrini’s very personal view of cookery in America in the late forties is erudite, fascinating and at times screamingly funny.  His descriptions of his Italian family’s favorite dishes are so complete that they might as well be recipes, each more delicious sounding than the next”
–Daniel Bouloud

“THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is a savory treat that, like a fine wine or good stinky cheese, has improved with age”
–Jessica Harris, author of The Africa Cookbook and Beyond Gumbo

Alice Waters

Alice Waters, Owner, Chez Panisse
I have always thought that Angelo Peligrini misnamed his charming but opinionated book. It should have been called the Prejudiced Palate, because he is so absolutely sure and unwavering in his vision of how to live a beautiful and delicious life. And I think he’s right.

Editorial Reviews

I have always thought that Angelo Peligrini misnamed his charming but opinionated book.  It should have been called the Prejudiced Palate, because he is so absolutely sure and unwavering in his vision of how to live a beautiful and delicious life. And I think he’s right.”
 –Alice Waters, Owner, Chez Panisse

"Like great dishes, great writing remains in our memory forever. Angelo
Pellegrini's THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is a lesson in how to enjoy life in an elegant and highly civilized way."
 – Jacques Pépin

"Angelo Pellegrini remains undoubtedly one of America's greatest food writers. But THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is not just about cooking; it's about taking the time to slow down and savor life. This delightful classic is a must read for those who live in our fast-food nation."
 –David Rosengarten, author of  It’s All American Food, The Dean and DeLuca Cookbook and Taste


"THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is a forgotten gem from what might be remembered as the Golden Age of American food writing. This Italian born, beloved Seattle professor, friend and colleague of MFK Fisher, wrote with charm, wit, and a rare intelligence about food."
–Mark Kurlansky, author of Salt, Cod, 1968

“Angelo Pellegrini’s very personal view of cookery in America in the late forties is erudite, fascinating and at times screamingly funny.  His descriptions of his Italian family’s favorite dishes are so complete that they might as well be recipes, each more delicious sounding than the next”
–Daniel Bouloud


“THE UNPREJUDICED PALATE is a savory treat that, like a fine wine or good stinky cheese, has improved with age”
–Jessica Harris, author of The Africa Cookbook and Beyond Gumbo

From the Publisher

The Unprejudiced Palate. . . was the first true statement I had read about living as it can and should be in the western coastal America that I love. -- From the Afterword

M.F.K. Fisher

If you like enthusiastic, high-spirited, intelligent talk about what you eat, this is eminently the book for you.

San Francisco Chronicle