The Sopranos Family Cookbook: As Compiled by Artie Bucco Author: Artie Bucco | Language: English | ISBN:
0446530573 | Format: EPUB
The Sopranos Family Cookbook: As Compiled by Artie Bucco Description
From Publishers Weekly
In what is quite possibly the most fun of all the Sopranos-themed titles being published in time for the show's September return, this tongue-in-cheek cookbook brings homestyle Soprano family cooking to the table. Artie Bucco, the character (played by John Ventimiglia) who is the chef at the show's Vesuvio restaurant, sets the tone of this book of insider "family" secrets by explaining his family's move from Campania, Italy, to New Jersey, then turns to various Soprano characters. (A brief chapter on Neapolitan cooking is explained by the Newark Public Library's Natalie del Greco, who offers recipes for a simple Marinara Sauce as well as a Sunday Gravy.) In a chapter entitled "The Soprano Family Tradition," Bucco listens as Corrado Soprano Jr., or Uncle Jun', reminisces about Newark's Little Italy (which at one time felt like an "Italian Disneyland") while whetting his appetite with thoughts of Pasta Fagiole and Panzerotti (Neapolitan Potato Croquettes). While the book's conceit is playfully written by Rucker (The Sopranos: A Family History) in the voice of each character, the recipes, by Scicolone (Italian Holiday Cooking), are solid and honest-to-goodness Italian-American dishes. In a conversation with Bucco, Carmela Soprano reveals her Sicilian upbringing through such recipes as `Shcarole and Garlic (sauteed escarole), while scale-tipping Bobby Bacala pontificates on the importance of sweets and offers his own way to make Cannoli. Even the godfather himself, Tony Soprano, lectures on the art of the grill (fans will remember his BBQ panic attack). In the end, readers are left with a book-filled with stills from Soprano episodes-that is alternately enticing and wonderfully tacky, just like the Soprano family members themselves.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"...a wonderful cookbook...simple, well done, and easy to make...this book deserves its own Emmy!" --
Frank Pellegrino, co-owner Rao's Restaurant and author of Rao's Cookbook"This is a fantastic 'celebrity' cookbook that really makes sense." --
David Rosengarten, publisher of The Rosengarten Report See all Editorial Reviews
- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition edition (September 24, 2002)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0446530573
- ISBN-13: 978-0446530576
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
On a whim I scooped this one up today off the 'new' books stacks at work. I love watching the Sopranos, which if you haven't heard, is a very strange look at modern America through the eyes of a mobster family. And like most families, one of the topics here is Food.
Specifically, southern Italian, heavy on the cheese, pasta and tomato sauce variety. That's ok, this is food that sooths, and brings back happy memories. Or, in the case of the Sopranos, some not too happy memories.
Told as a journey down memory lane by the character of Artie Bucco himself, the owner and principal chef at the Nuovo Vesuvio, we get various interviews from various characters from the series. From AJ's three pop tarts and a Coke breakfast, to Meadow's self-absorbed fears of getting fat, Carmela's tips on having a party, to Adriana's guide to a sexy night out, it's giggle from start to finish. The men wiegh in as well, with Junior's memories of life with Tony's dad, a screamingly funny bit from sister Janice to Tony's rules for grilling. (Lighter fluid is for sissies) And of course, Furio's take on American cuisine. Even Dr. Melfi joins the fun with a paper on the eating habits and styles of Italian-Americans.
So, besides the in-jokes for followers of the series, there's also plenty of family style recipes. Some are pretty basic, from 'Sunday Gravy' -- a very rich meat and tomato sauce, to a cholestrol heavy Baked Ziti with meatballs, various zuppe or soups, and plenty of hearty meals. Photographs in lush, mouthwatering detail accompany most of the recipes -- the one of the standing rib roast made me drool, and I'm going to try very hard not to enthuse about the cannoli shot.
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