Canal House Cooking Volume N° 7: La Dolce Vita by Christopher Hirsheimer

Canal House Cooking Volume N° 7: La Dolce Vita Reviews

• 
  Tracey

  This is a small recipe collection from a cooperative called the Canal House, part of a series linked to their website.
  
  I always welcome a paragraph about a dish – especially if it's one alien to me, or if the name is was coined by the authors. Like Supplì Al Telefono – "The whimsical telefono refers to the strings of melted cheese, resembling telephone wires, that ooze from the center of a croquette as you bite into it." Oh. Okay. Pardon me while I go make some telephone wire fried rice croquettes…
  
  Links together recipes
  
  Some things I sincerely doubt I (or, I would expect, the vast majority of home cooks) will never make: Squid and potatoes, for example; I don't think squid is hard to come by, and I think I've even tasted it (or maybe I'm thinking of octopus), but I … no. Stewed Eel – ditto. But many of these are extremely approachable: Green Lasagne with Tomato Sauce & Fresh Ricotta. Many of the recipes have a fairly short list of ingredients, and all have clear and straightforward directions.
  
  "Why Buy It When You Can Make It?" – I never thought of making my own ricotta. But it sounds so easy. ETA – it wasn't hard; I just can't quite see that it's worth it. I think I'd rather just pay for it than spend a couple of hours on the project and end up with – as I did – half a gallon of whey I'm not sure what to do with and about a cup of ricotta. Which did come out genuinely ricotta-like, but I doubt my palate is extraordinary enough that I can tell the difference between it and Dragoni.
  
  I swear I will make gnocchi before long.
  
  Vintage and modern photographs that make Italy almost as mouth-watering as the food, along with drawings and paintings and pictures of most recipes. There is a four-image sequence which completely demystifies the making of pasta dough – had I the machine, I wouldn't be afraid to use it.
• 
  G

  Canal House Cooking is not a cookbook, it is dream travel. Elissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirshemeyer describe their trip to Italy in search of the Italian food made in home kitchens. While there, they lived in a small town in a small home and traveled the area eating the foods of the small cafes and inns or picking up fesh food in the markets. They would take food home and preparing it in a similar manner. In this way, they learn the daily diet of the Italian people, enjoying the Italian culture, and soaking up knowledge of home food preparation. I realize that they were working, but they make it seem so wonderful and describe it so beautifully, that from my armchair, I visualize myself on their trip. For me, this is the ultimate in armchair travel. The cookbook itself is very interesting, and their companion website describes palces to find difficult items. Unfortunately for me, this type of cooking is not possible because of time and scheduling, but the book is a joy to read. Maybe this summer, I can utilize some of their recipes. This book is for serious cooks and those who dream of being serious.
  
  Received Galley from NetGalley.com
• 
  Leslie

  This addition to the Canal House series focuses on Italian cooking. The book is to be read like an unfolding journey through Italy. It is unlike traditional cookbooks with recipes set in a format, but instead discusses the ingredients in the narrative with a conversational style. This cooking book gives the reader a more relaxed and familial feeling of recipes shared throughout life. Descriptions of living and traveling, however briefly, in Italy brings a richer experience than just lists of ingredients and directions.
• 
  Deb

  A lovely little book--part of the Canal House Cooking series of simple, elegant and seasonal recipes. This one is all about Italy and each recipe is more mouth-watering than the next. So far I have tried the Pappardelle and Mushrooms which was absolutely delicious.
  
  You can read my full review and see the recipe and photos here:
  
  http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
• 
  Natashya KitchenPuppies

  The seventh journal-style cookbook in the Canal House series. Intimate and delicious.
  See my full review here -
  http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
• 
  Heather

  see my full review here:
  http://www.girlichef.com/2012/04/cana...