Biba's Taste of Italy: Recipes from the Homes, Trattorie, and Restaurants of Emilia-Romagna

NY: William Morrow. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 2001. First Edition Thus. First Printing. Hard Cover. 0688158153 . Quarter bound in publisher's green paper spine over blue paper boards, bronze lettering on spine. Illustrated with B&W and color photographs. In her latest enticing collection of recipes (after Trattoria Cooking and Italy al Dente), the chef-owner of Biba restaurant in Sacramento returns to her hometown, Bologna, and its surrounding countryside. The region, Emilia-Romagna, is blessed with such delectables as prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano-Reggiano and balsamic vinegar, which its culinary tradition prominently features. Those who can never own too many Italian cookbooks will welcome the familiar fare, including Prosciutto with Marinated Baby Artichokes in Balsamic Vinegar, a simple Mussel Salad, Caggiano and Butternut Squash Tortelli. Chatty headnotes to most recipes tell where Biba discovered them and what drew her to each one, such as the simplicity of Grilled Skewers of Calamari and Shrimp from Rimini and her brother's favorite, Veal Stew with White Wine and Peas. She concludes with such sweets as Almond Chocolate Cake from a trattoria in Vignola and Mascarpone-Zabaglione Mousse from another in Frassinara. These authentic recipes demonstrate why Italian food remains one of the world's most irresistible cuisines. . Front cover is very slightly bowed, else unmarked, square and clean. The unclipped dust jacket is lightly rubbed at the top edge of the rear cover, else fine. . B&W and Color Photographs. 4to 11" - 13" tall. xi, 404 pp .