The Silver Spoon (Traditional Italian Home Cooking Recipes) Hardcover – October 24, 2011

To call "The Silver Spoon" the best Italian cookbook of all time is to do it an injustice. This, for my money, is the best cookbook of all time, period. Yes, its approach is Italian with the myriad requisites of olive oil, onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives, semolina, parmesan, etc., etc,, but - more important - its spirit is Italian, meaning that it honors simplicity of execution, accessibility of ingredients, vivid delineation of flavors. Italian cooking is the most attainable and adaptable of national cuisines, which makes this classic tome, now updated and tailored to an American audience (ounces, not grams), a must-have for American home cooks (not chefs) of every skill-level. These recipes, by the thousands, are no-fuss, each succinct and clear as a fine Pinot Grigio. If you know how to boil water and turn the range knobs, you're in. Still, novelties proliferate, for Italians, in contrast to the French, are improvisational by nature, using whatever at hand seems best, however unlikely. Variations on basic themes abound in all their regional distinctions. The photography is superb without looking like food porn. The several indexes should be a model for all cookbooks. One lists items by recipes, in order of courses and prime ingredients. The other list sub-ingredints - aioli to zucchini flowers (with forty zucchini flower dishes to choose from). This allows you to gaze into your pantry and spot, say, a container of dried porcini that's been around for several years, then find dozens of ways to use the little funghi. A wonderful bonus is a section of recipes by great Italian chefs (including Italian-Americans like Mario Batali). Encompassing 1500 pages, "The Silver Spoon" would make a great doorstop. However, the floor is the last place I'd put it. It deserves pride of place on your kitchen counter.

The media could not be loaded. The book's quality and how well it's made are unbelievable. It says over 2000 recipes, and I think it is since it is weight-heavy. All the recipes are well-written and have great direction. I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible. I love visiting Italy and enjoying the food, and I'm so happy to purchase this book to have a piece of Italy at home.

Covers everything from sauces/marinades to desserts. Includes a section of complete menus from award winning chefs. Would probably take 20yrs and 45lbs to get through the whole book. Exceeded all expectations. Nothing I say can do it justice. Got it on sale for $40. from Prime. Strongly recommend.Side note: This is not intended for someone as “My first cookbook”. It’s true, most of the recipes are straight forward and clearly written. Maybe 5% of the recipes have photos for reference. This book will not teach you how to cook. To get the most out it, a basic understanding of prep/cooking/baking fundamentals is encouraged.That said. If your new to cooking. Go for it. You gotta start somewhere. 👍

Looking for a great gift for the family cook? This is it! I’ve spent many hours flipping through the pages of this wonderful resource. My grandson, a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America swears by this and he suggested to his grandfather that he purchase this for me. Thanks for the smarty pants grandson. I absolutely love it.

This book claims to be the Italian cooking bible and it is one indeed!! It is an accumulation of knowledge and love for the Italian cuisine over the past soon 67years since its first edition. This "bible" has its pros and cons for me. Pro, it goes very(!) much into detail of the food itself, as much as the cooking and preparation options, but also about its geographical and historical background; very(!) interesting and educational! If you want to step up your own "art of Italian cooking" and want to educate and challenge yourself more in the kitchen, then this cook book is the perfect addition for you! I believe the authors haven't left out anything!Another big pro is the price! I researched other options in Europe to buy this book. . . no matter where I looked, it was more expensive!The con for me is the bible 'style', very big book, not easy to handle, with bible like thin pages and small print. Another con is for me it's just too much information and not easy to find what I need to know to cook a new recipe.

This is a must have for real Italian cooking. This will take you away from the adulterated American slop we call Italian. If you want to get back to your roots, or discover authentic modern Italian cooking fundamentals this is your book. My friend from Italy uses it as his source and it came highly recommended.

I bought this in Italy and ordered it in English via Amazon. Its all the basics you need to learn authentic Italian cooking, I would suggest getting the basic Test Kitchen book to go along with this book because if you look at the Test Kitchen recipes, you will clearly understand how to use this book even better, same with Ottelingi books. Id buy all three and you are on your way to being a better cook than most because you will have some cooking theory behind you- and someone is explaining the mistakes made vs why things works!

Arrived in perfect condition. It is a great cook book like it a lot .