Product Description

Bestelling author Francesco da Mosto invites you into his kitchen to sample the true flavour of Venetian cooking

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #683 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-11
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Amazon.co.uk
Subtitled An intimate Guide to the Authentic Flavours of Venice, Francesco da Mosto`s Francesco's Kitchen is truly a delectable book, mixing some brilliantly composed photographs (and not just of the food, but of the settings in which they were prepared). Such is the charm of the aristocratic Francesco da Mosto -- familiar to many of us from his evocative TV series (and books) on Venice and Italy that we are even prepared to forgive him the fact that that he appears to cook with a cigarette in his mouth.

As with his earlier work, it is the evocation of his country and lifestyle that makes this such a dream book for non-Italian readers (and, one imagines, for Italian readers who don't possess da Mosto's elegant lifestyle). Within these strikingly illustrated pages, Francesco matches the appeal of his personal tours of Venice and Italy with an idiosyncratic guide to the authentic food and flavours of Venice. As he points out, Venetian cuisine (much like the city itself) is a remarkable synthesis of elements which coalesced over the years as traders and travellers moved across the Mediterranean. Reflecting all the atmosphere of this glorious city, the book presents us with an astonishing variety of dishes based on fish, seafood, poultry, game and Mediterranean vegetables. Needless to say, the essentials of Italian cookery such as pastas and risotto are here alongside more exotic fare. There are, of course, some mouth-watering deserts -- but this is book for those who are watching their calories. But for anyone seeking a culinary tour of Venice and its surrounding countryside, this evocation of the traditional food of the region will be very hard to beat. Readers will be looking forward to the next region of Italy that Francesco da Mosto turns his attention to. --Barry Forshaw

Synopsis
Francesco da Mosto follows his bestselling books on Venice and Italy with his personal quest for the authentic flavours and food of Venice. In this superbly illustrated book Francesco invites us into his family's kitchen in his 16th-century Palazzo in the heart of the city where he acts as the perfect guide to the unique culinary character of traditional Venetian cooking. Francesco shows us how to prepare 150 classic Venetian recipes ranging from Antipasti, sauces, soups and fish, to meats, pasta and puddings. He demonstrates how Venetian food is a fabulous fusion of ingredients brought together over centuries as merchants and traders travelled the Mediterranean. The ancient broeto (stock) and mollusc soups testify to this, as does the richness and variety of dishes based on fish, roasts, grills, tasty deep fried delicacies and sauces. Each chapter is introduced with the history and origins of the recipes and throughout there are personal reminiscences by Francesco of his first encounters with his favourite dishes.

As Francesco is keen to tell, his passion for cooking authentic Venetian food comes from home: 'When I start talking about cooking, it is impossible to forget my father, his love and imagination for all things culinary. He has never feared unusual combinations of ingredients and seasonings, and I have always been a willing guinea pig'.

About the Author
Francesco da Mosto is an architect, historian, film-maker and Venetian citizen. His busy studio in Venice has designed and supervised many restoration projects, as well as participating in local and international design competitions. Francesco has also worked extensively in cinema and television since 1984. Apart from short spells in Rome, Paris and sailing in the Mediterranean, he has lived in Venice all his life. Francesco has presented the hugely popular BBC2 series Francesco's Venice and Francesco's Italy, and written the accompanying bestselling books.

Customer Reviews

Venice on a plate
This is a wonderful book for all those who are passionate about Venice. Presented with great style, it is certainly up to the standard of Franceso's previous publications. But this is not just a book of traditional recipes and pretty photographs, many pages are devoted to the produce used in Venetian cooking and the history of various ingredients. There are pages describing 18th. century life in the palazzi of Venice and four pages devoted to the humble fork. This is a book that will transport you to the Grand Canal everytime you read it. Oh if only all trattoria and ristorante in Venice had a copy!

Great mix of food and place
This attractive book is a great mix of practical recipes and photos which give a sense of place. And the photos of food don't look stylized and artificial - so many in other books, I suspect, are studio shots - but these, if not of Venice or people, look as though they had been taken at the moment Francesco took food from the hob or oven. The book has a reality, a vitality and an honesty. Great gift for anyone who likes Venice and/or Italian food.