Italian Street Food by Paola Bacchia (Review and Giveaway!)

Book Details:

Book Title: Italian Street Food: Recipes From Italy's Bars and Hidden Laneways by Paola Bacchia
Category: Adult Nonfiction, 274 pages
Genre: Cookbook
Publisher: Smith Street
Release date: October 2016
​Content Rating: PG

Book Description:

Italy’s classic recipes are well known the world over, but few are aware of the dishes that reign on the flourishing Italian street-food scene. Hidden behind the town squares, away from the touristy restaurants, and down back streets are little-known gems offering up some of Italy’s tastiest and best-kept secret dishes that the locals prize.

ITALIAN STREET FOOD is not just another Italian cookbook; it delves into truly authentic Italian fare—the kind of secret recipes that are passed down through generations. Learn how to make authentic polpettine, arancini, stuffed cuttlefish, cannolis, and fritters, and perfect your gelato-making skills with original flavors such as lemon and basil or affogato and aperol. With beautiful stories and stunning photography throughout, ITALIAN STREET FOOD delivers an authentic, lesser known take on a much loved cuisine.

Arancini

​​Buy the book: Rizzoli ~ Amazon

My Review

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

This hardbound beautiful cookbook is Paola Bacchia's ode to her love of traditional artisan Italian cooking found in Italy's bars and hidden laneways. I savored the stories of her upbringing, her search for these little-known eateries she highlights in her book and also the rich history of these artisanal foods and eateries.

This book is filled with lots of recipes, new ones I had not heard of and many of which I am familiar with because both my mother and father would make them. My dad can make a killer porchetta. I have to say this book brought back so many memories of my childhood. The gelato recipes caught my eye and I will need to try them. For the Italian foodie, this book will provide recipes of beloved dishes or twists on familiar dishes since different regions of Italy will use different ingredients for the same dish. For the North American foodie it will open up the way to bring Italian flavors into your home.

Tomatoes in Bari

The layout is very well done with complete recipe on one page and the full-page matt photograph of the dish beside it. Bacchia uses both the metric and imperial system for the amount of ingredients which is great. I grew up using the imperial because that is how my mother passed on her recipes to me. This cookbook also stays open when you are simultaneously reading and cooking a recipe from it. And there is a handy index in the back of the book. Furthermore, it also contains fantastic street photography.

Fish seller in Naples

This would make the perfect gift for the foodie in your family or if you are of Italian origin like me and want a cookbook with the recipes of dishes you are familiar with and want to preserve. This book is a work of art and clearly a labour of love. A stunningly beautiful cookbook.

Meet the Author:

​Paola Bacchia is one of Australia’s most popular Italian food bloggers. On her blog, Italy on My Mind, she shares family memories and their connections to food. It won awards for best food blog in 2013 and 2015 from ITALY Magazine. Paola returns to Italy every year to expand her knowledge of Italian food, its traditions, and innovations.

Connect to the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

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