Product Description

Tuscan food is some of the finest, not only in Italy, but in the world, and the Tuscan people are truly passionate about preserving their culinary heritage and regional ingredients. "Beaneaters and Bread Soup" tells the story of Tuscan food through 25 visual and written portraits of some of the region's most extraordinary gastronomic and food-related artisans. From a pasta maker to a bee keeper, a mushroom forager, a knife maker, a shepherd, and a chestnut grower. All of these individuals have been chosen for their particular genius, passion and the excellence of their work. The book also includes 90 authentic Tuscan recipes which have been contributed by the artisans to reflect the essential ingredients of Tuscany - from bread to olive oil and everything in between. As well as portraits of the artisans, the book also features truly superb photography from a leading photographer, including images of the producers themselves, their locations, their food and their work. The sumptuous pictures also capture the spirit of Tuscany - its abundant landscape, generous people and wonderful food.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #333939 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-05
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

About the Author
Lori de Mori is an established writer, specialising in the food and customs of Italy. She first travelled to Italy as a student and later bought and restored a 200 year-old farmhouse in the Tuscan hills where she writes, cooks, gardens, bakes bread and raises her family. She has written three books about Italian cooking, Florence, Savouring Tuscany and Italy Anywhere and contributes to Saveur, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and Grand Designs. Award-winning food and travel photographer Jason Lowe is married to Lori. He has collected two Glenfiddich awards for his food photography and worked with some of the finest food producers and most inspirational cookery writers. He has a regular column in The Independent on Saturday with Mark Hix and his work has appeared in many books and magazines worldwide including Food and Travel, Food Illustrated and Saveur.

Customer Reviews

A Treasure of a book
This is a really wonderful book. The writing is fantastic, the photographs evocative and beautiful, and the recipes really great. The book is FULL of things you actually want to cook: simple, delicious things exactly as you find in Tuscany: a peppery beef stew and a flattened spicy lemon chicken, sausages and white beans in a tomato sauce, braised fennel, a blueberry tart--to name just the things I have cooked from it over the last couple of weeks. The book is not just about food however, but is about an approach to eating, shopping, producing, procuring and preparing; it is about ritual and routine; work and pleasure and it is filled with lessons, though the authors couldn't have a lighter touch. I am buying this book for everyone I love for Christmas, cooks or not.

Exploring a rich and varied food culture...
Beaneaters & Bread Soup by Lori De Mori and Jason Lowe brings Tuscany to life. Known for its luscious landscapes, powerful paintings and holiday hideaways, Tuscany maintains a rich and varied food culture. Here you'll discover it.

Through essays on the food craftsmen (and sorry girls, they are all men), each accompanied by gutsy, authentic recipes, you'll meet the beekeeper with his wealth of mono-floral honeys, the chestnut grower, potter and many more. All share an integrity, passion and belief in excellence.

But why Beaneaters & Bread Soup? As the authors explain, beans are a staple and such a fixture "in the Tuscan kitchen that the toscani are nicknamed mangiafagioli (beaneaters) by fellow Italians." As for bread, anyone who's visited is bound to remember `proper' Tuscan bread. It's dense, chewy, and salt-free - apparently a protest against a tax - and ends up in such soups and salads as pappa del pomodoro or panzanella.

Jason's photographs capture the region and food. I was lucky to work with him on (my) Farmers' Market Cookbook and fell in love with his vision and ability to pinpoint the essence of a story or a dish. Flick through the pages and you'll see for yourself. But the recipes mustn't be forgotten.....apart from the bread & beans aplenty, there's Polenta with Cuttlefish or Upside-down Apricot Cake (roll on summer) as well as our FoodLovers featured recipes opposite. Authentic and easy to follow, they're ideal for any Food Lover hankering for those rolling hills and stone farmhouses shining in the Mediterranean sun.