Passione

by Gennaro Contaldo

Published 7 April 2003
Full of colourful and modern recipes that evoke Italian life at its most enticing, this is the first cookbook from Gennaro Contaldo. Gennaro's passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients and his love of simple food is shared here with the energy for which he is famous. With evocative stories from his childhood - free-diving for oysters, foraging for wild mushrooms and bunking off school to go fishing - it is also illustrated with photographs from his childhood as well as modern food photography. This book reveals the secrets of Gennaro's own basic recipes as well as some of the best-loved dishes from his restaurant - "fillet of seabream with honey and vinegar", "lamb cutlets with mixed herbs and prosciutto" and "limoncello and strawberry ice cream".

When an Italian cooks dinner, it's always a meal to savour and enjoy with as many people as can be found to share it with. In GENNARO'S HOME COOKING, Gennaro shares his favourite family recipes - the ones that will feed a crowd of hungry guests, from his 90-year-old father to his three-year-old twin girls. Older generations give advice, all hands are on deck to help, and the whole family sit themselves down at the large dining table to join in the feast together. The table is like the altar - to eat, drink, discuss, argue and confess - but most of all to enjoy the wonderful food!

All the recipes cater for large numbers of people, but have tips on how to adapt them for smaller groups, there are hints on how to prepare things in advance and advice on which dishes go with what, so it is full of creative menu ideas. With GENNARO'S HOME COOKING you have everything you need to make your own kitchen a little slice of Italy.