Review: Tasting Rome

Tasting Rome

Katie Parla and Kristina Gill

This cookbook is a true delight. First off, it was beautiful, like a nice coffee table book. Plus it was filled with interesting recipes as well as lots of information about Roman cooking, and other cultural traditions. Some sections were more interesting than others. For instance, I don't think I will be attempting to make any of the recipes in the section entitled Fringe Foods, but they were nevertheless informative and interesting. I especially enjoyed the section devoted to Bread and the one entitled Sweets.

Besides providing recipes which in the most part seemed fairly easy to prepare, I liked that the authors gave historical information about how the dish was invented or created as well as tips for preparation. One tip in particular that seems useful, is how to make gelato and sobetto without having an ice cream maker. Although, I actually have an ice cream maker, having read their suggestion I don't think I'm going to use it the next time I make gelato.

To me this seemed more than your average cookbook. I felt like I had been on a guided tour through Rome, discovering its culinary traditions and the changes that have been occurring recently. I loved the photos of both the dishes created and those that depicted Roman life. I think anyone who reads this will want to head straight to Rome to experience the cuisine and the lifestyle first hand.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.