Betty Crocker's Italian Cooking

Recipes by Antonio Cecconi

Betty Crocker's Italian Cooking
Italian food—we all love it! The romance of Italian food grows every year, and has moved beyond simple pasta and pizza, to include all the delicious dishes of the country. Whether it's a scrumptious antipasta before dinner, a meltingly soft risotto, a savory main dish such as Chicken Cacciatore, Grilled Radicchio Salad as a fresh side, or luscious Tira Misu for dessert, Italian food offers so many tempting possibilities.

Let Betty Crocker and Italian chef Antonio Cecconi take you on a tasty tour of Italy, from Piedmont to Sardinia. Enjoy learning about each region, its distinctive food and the geographical characteristics that shape its culinary offerings. and there's more than information on the countryside. Turn to complete glossaries on Italian cheeses, pastas, vinegars, herbs, and olives and olive oils. Everything you'll need for the best and most delicious Italian meals is all right here!

Chapters range from appetizers to dessert, making it so easy to find just what you want to make authentic dishes for any occasion. There's an entire chapter on pasta and sauces, as well as a chapter on great first course—or main course—ideas for risotto, polenta and soups. Are you a pizza lover? Then you'll love the chapter on pizza, bread and sandwiches. Savor Italian meat, chicken and seafood main dishes, and then explore terrific vegetable and salad dishes. Ready for dessert? You'll be delighted with the treasures included here. A menu section provides ideas for creating complete Italian meals from appetizers and main courses to desserts, complete with Italian wine suggestions.

Full of beautiful food photography, as well as lovely landscape shots of Italy, you will truly feel that you've been on a trip abroad, and come home with the all the best of Italian food, ready for your kitchen. Have fun deciding what wonderful foods you'll make first—Fresh Wrapped Basil Cheese Balls the next time you grill, Rotini with Fresh Herbs for dinner tonight or Strawberries with Marsala Sauce for dessert this weekend-it's all delicious. Enjoy and Buon appetito from Antonio Cecconi and Betty Crocker!

About the Author

Antonio Cecconi was born in Sardinia, Italy, and has resided in the United States since 1976. He has owned and managed restaurants and was employed by a large food company to develop Italian products. Antonio now operates a successful catering business, The Italian Gourmet, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is also known in the area for his cooking classes—both in-home and at various cooking schools. As a consultant for several nationally known food companies and restaurants, he shares his passion and knowledge of Italian cooking to develop products and create menu ideas. Antonio frequently returns to Italy to refresh his knowledge of Italian cooking.

Buy the Book!

Betty Crocker's Italian Cooking
Recipes by Antonio Cecconi
IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 2000
Hardback, $23.95
Full-color photographs throughout
ISBN: 0-7645-6078-6
Information provided by the publisher.