Buy cooking, recipe and food books from Amazon:

Back to New Books

Jamie's Italy
by Jamie Oliver

Synopsis
Ever since working at the River Cafe for Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray, Jamie Oliver has had a serious passion for Italian food. Now, ten years later, Italy and its wonderful flavours continue to have a major influence on his food and cooking. In Jamie's Italy, Jamie travels this famously gastronomic country paying homage to the classic dishes of each region and searching for new ideas to bring home. The result is a sensational collection of Italian recipes, old and new, that will ensure Italy's influence reaches us all. On the menu is an array of magical ingredients and Mediterranean flavours all combined in Jamie's inimitable way. From Parma ham to Parmesan, from pannetone to panzanella, Jamie's new book will transport you to Italy or at least bring Italy home to you.

Great Book (March 2006)
Reviewer: P Haslehurst (Surrey, UK)

I'm a bit of a cookery book addict, so when I enjoyed Jamie's Italy on TV I knew I had to get the book.

With lots of great pictures, and little snippets of 'wisdom' from the man himself, this is more than a collection of recipes - it's an aspirational manual for a better attitude to eating. Moreover, it's probably the best piece of free marketing the Italian tourist board could have ever wished for.

The recipes vary, as with all recipe books, from the straightforward (and sometimes a little too obvious perhaps) to the advanced. Depending upon your attitude to cooking this can be a blessing or a bit inhibiting. If you've got a bit of practise then you'll be able to enjoy most of the recipes in this book without too much trouble.

Jamie Oliver's take on Italian food is balanced neatly between the traditional and the modern. His personal variations on staples like minestrone, lasagne and pizza all reflect his own flair and passion for fresh ingredients, but also his respect for the "proper way" of doing things. All the recipes that I have sampled have turned out very well. Personal favourites have been "Hunter's Lasagne" and the exquisite Cauliflower Risotto (seriously, you'll never frown upon a cauliflower again).

All in all this book comes highly recommended - it's a pleasure to read and work from.

Jamies Italy (March 2006)
Reviewer: A reader

The book is well illustrated and offers more than just receipes. Jamies passion for food shines through and he gives a real feel of Italy's cuisine. I would have liked more receipes though.

A pleasure to read and to look at (February 2006)
Reviewer: a miller (Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom)

This book is amazing, a celebration of life, beauty and food. The photographs are wonderful and the notes that come wih the recipes are a wonderful account of Italians' passion for food and life. I am no beginner in the kitchen but still the book was really inspiring. Jamie encourages you to use good quality ingredients and a lot of passion in your cooking, and well, that is what it's all about. I am Spanish and know quite a lot about authentic Italian food, and it's quite clear that Jamie knows what he's talking about. One of the best cookery books in my - very big - collection.

Very tasty! (February 2006)
Reviewer: "jlorrimer"

I'm a bit of a starter in the kitchen, but this book has really got me into the joys of cooking great food. Very easy to follow and with easy to source ingredients, I have so far managed to produce ten mouth watering meals within two weeks of buying this book. What I have found surprising is the amout of recipes that use dried chillies. I never realised Italin food could have such a kick to it! Try the baked mushrooms with the ricotta filling - very easy and totally tasty. Good effort Essex bloke!

If you want to order a copy of the book - UK only (USA)
If you want to order a copy of the book - click here (UK)

Back to New Books