The Silver Spoon Quick and Easy Italian Recipes presents 100 recipes, each of which can be cooked in less than 30 minutes. They are gathered from The Silver Spoon, the classic Italian cookbook featuring 2,000 traditional dishes as prepared by local home and restaurant cooks. The book was originally commissioned after World War II by the famous Italian design magazine Domus to showcase the country's food traditions, and quickly became the bible of Italian cookery. It was translated into English in 2005.
Quick and Easy Italian Recipes maintains The Silver Spoon's clean, straightforward presentation. A full-page color photograph accompanies each recipe. There are plenty of options for using seasonal ingredients in appetizers, sides, main courses, desserts and beverages. The introduction suggests that it is intended for both beginning and experienced cooks, though the recipe instructions assume some familiarity with basic cooking techniques. While those looking for on-trend cookbooks by celebrity chefs, with personal narratives and recipe backstories, won't find them here, this succinct, practical cookbook offers the serious home cook plenty of time-tested options for delicious weeknight suppers and weekend feasts alike. --Jeanette Zwart, freelance writer and reviewer