My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Italian food. I love it’s focus on quality ingredients, simply prepared and this cookbook showcases that.

After a rough week of multiple disasters that had necessitated more quick meals than good meals, I wanted to make a great meal for my family, so I turned to Crispy Roast Chicken with Lemon, Sage & Pancetta with Balsamic Parsnips. Okay, in full disclosure, I wasn’t able to lay my hands on parsnips in time, and I didn’t use the stuffing. However, the chicken was amazing!! Since I hadn’t made the stuffing, I stuffed the lemon wedges and some more sage inside the chicken instead of just throwing them in the pan. The chicken was juicy and delicious with a lovely citrus tang. I would definitely make this again!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Radicchio, Walnut & Pecorino Salad though my children weren’t quite the fans I was. It is light, earthy and a nice side dish. The Spicy Roasted Chickpeas, however were not quite a hit. If you like chickpeas, you’ll probably love this recipe, but I’m the only one in my family that enjoys them, and I only enjoy them occasionally and that also depends on how they’re prepared.

I’m definitely not done with this book, though! Next on my list is the Neapolitan Semolina Cake. We’re celebrating my daughter’s birthday this weekend, and she’s requested that we try this cake. On top of that, there’s still Italian Sponge Cake with Balsamic Roasted Strawberries, Homemade Fruit Jellies, Wholemeal Slow-Fermented Pizzas and so much more.

There are lots of gluten-free recipes in this book which I like. We aren’t remotely gluten-free, but I have friends with celiac disease so it’s great to have delicious options to feed them when they come for a visit.

All in all, this is a great cookbook full of healthy, nutritious Italian recipes. I am happy to recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from Trafalgar Publishing through IPG for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.