The Frugal Gourmet Cooks Italian by Jeff Smith

The Frugal Gourmet Cooks Italian Reviews

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  Deedee

  Two recipes from this book are regulars in my house, namely: polenta lasagne and minestrone soup. Other recipes are used semi-regularly. The ingredients are reasonable to find, and the directions clear and easy to follow.
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  David

  I love to read cookbooks. This is one of top 5 probably 5. As much as I enjoy the recipes, I enjoy his little blurbs more. Nothing is more fun than to sit in the recliner with a good cup of coffee, the cat on my lap, and browse your favorite cookbooks. I have read this book regularly for about 5 years.
  
  This book is for anyone who wishes to try their hand at Italian cooking.
  
  This is my 100th book to list.
• 
  Aprilleigh

  This is the closest Jeff Smith ever came to a Mediterranean Diet cookbook of his own. Of course, this version doesn't have the focus on healthy ingredients that most of them do, because that's not what he intended when he wrote it. It also focuses almost exclusively on dishes originating in Italy (some fit the theme while sharing origins or ingredients from other countries). Since my primary interest in Italian cooking is well covered by my Mediterranean diet collection already, there wasn't much of interest here that wasn't already covered by other books in my library. I can't see me using this book, but if you're a fan of the full range of Italian cuisine, this is an excellent choice.
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  Wendy

  This is a great, simple cookbook of basic pasta and antipasto dishes that won't break the bank. I would recommend it for the average Joe pasta fanatic. If you are living on a budget, as most of us are, it's kind of nice to have an everyday kind of cookbook that enables one to dine with tasty food but not expensive.
  The polenta and mushroom dishes are hearty, the risotto dishes are filling, the antipasti wonderful and simple, and there are hot sandwich recipes that'd work great in any kind of sandwich press. I'm not a big pasta fan (the gluten isn't very good to me), but some of the soup and pickle recipes are quite good.
  And one can still enjoy with the risotto dishes.
• 
  Carol

  Try the Escarole soup with tiny meatballs and Aunt Fulvia's salmon in foil. The salmon is a breeze, a nice presentation (even better if you use parchment instead of foil) and such a simple, succulent flavor. The soup is WELL worth the effort. There are so many good recipes, hints and stories. Too bad he turned out to be such a creepy guy, he was a really good teacher.
  My dad gave me this cookbook when he became interested in cooking after he retired. I had just moved back to Texas from St Louis and we discussed different methods and recipes on the phone almost every day.
• 
  Joshua

  The narrative sections were very much in the same vein as Jeff's "down to earth" teaching style on the series. However, the recipes themselves seems to be a bit tricky for a novice as myself. Interesting and entertaining book just the same. Would be interested in the other works published.
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  Dave Haskins

  Food,Cooking,European Cuisine
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  Fredrick Danysh

  Dedicated to simple and easy Italian cooking as modified for American home cooks. I enjoyed several of the recipes.
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  Gary Turner

  Jeff Smith had a wonderful tv show and his books are just as entertaining. If you love reading cookbooks, please do yourself a favor and buy this book for your library.