Spoiler alert: this book will make you want to cook and eat Italian food and you will be unable to resist the urge to try the recipes.

This beautifully illustrated book is sharing Italian recipes in their original way, the way they were transmitted from generation to generation. It contains all the real classics that we all have heard of and many more dishes that are all mouthwatering.

The book starts with some good basics about the Italian menu and eating traditions, basic techniques (how to make fresh egg pasta, semolina pasta, how to use a pasta machine, how to cook pasta etc) and of course the pantry because Italian food requires very specific ingredients, often very simple but the quality is of utmost importance. The authors are very pragmatic though and they share notes in the recipes that tell you what to do if you cannot find a particular ingredient.

And then, the authors have been very generous and shared so many recipes. A few fritti (fried appetisers), bread, ragu, and and many pasta, rice, main dishes (second and contorno) as well as some lovely desserts.

I did not know Pasta Grammar but I love the idea and the enthusiasm of Eva and Harper. This book is the ideal companion to following the authors on social media. And it is a very good starting point for anyone who wishes to cook great traditional Italian food. I really loved it.

This cooking book was so cozy and made me want to go back home and cook.
Also I adore the fact that the recipes are authentic.
An amazing book.

This book has recipes for italian dishes but what makes it a bit more special is that it includes family history/occassions linked to each dish. Isn't that what makes our cultural foods special to us, how they tie into our memories of childhood and loved ones? The recipes have a complete ingredient list with clear step by step instructions that are easy to follow. Additionally, what I appreciated was at the beginning of the book there was an informatioal section about key ingredients that would keep reappearing, how they are made and how to find the right quality of ingredient.

Great cookbook for beginners to intermediate cooks! It's an incredibly well-organized cookbook, the beginning starts with the kitchen and pantry staples you'll need throughout the cookbook and is organized as a classic Italian meal would be eaten. The recipes are beautifully photographed and easy to follow, there's a variety for vegetarians and meat-eaters. I would personally recommend the bolognese recipe and the tiramisu both were well worth the effort and incredibly delicious. A great cookbook to either add to a collection or start one!

The title of this book is perfect, I have many Italian cook books but this one stands out for its explanatiuon of how meals in Italy work, how seriously most Italians treat food, how it is still a big family / social aspect of the Italian culture and for its classic recipes of dishes that you can and will make at home.

Easy to follow recipes and delicious photos.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read The Italian Family Kitchen

This book is full of absolutely delicious recipes. Easy to follow and easy to make. Everything I made turned out so good. This is definitely a book I'd come back to for more recipes!

From the moment I opened the book, I was captivated by the stunning photography and the way each recipe was presented with warmth and familiarity. The layout, organized by course, made it easy to explore everything from crispy fritti to rich, indulgent dolce.

I particularly appreciated the practical tips on stocking an Italian kitchen and sourcing ingredients. As someone who often struggles with finding the right components, this guidance was invaluable. Trying my hand at making fresh pasta and experimenting with classic ragù became a joyous adventure, and I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable the recipes felt.

It’s definitely a cookbook that will hold a special place on my shelf and in my kitchen.

This is a lovely Italian cookery book with lots of information about the Italian way, and over ninety interesting recipes.

It is divided into eight chapters plus an introduction:
- Fritti (fried appetizers & street food) (8)
- Bread & Pizza (9)
- Ragu (5)
- Pasta (21)
- Riso (rice) (10)
- Secondo (second courses) (18)
- Contorno (side dishes) (13)
- Dolce (desserts) (10)

The introduction explains the five courses of an Italian meal and the rules of serving dishes - its unacceptable to serve a vegetable based side dish with the primo (carb based main). It then moves onto the pantry ingredients and tools used. There are basic recipes for fresh egg pasta, fresh semolina pasta, potato gnocchi, simple tomato sauce and besciamella (white sauce). The book goes onto explain the use of the pasta machine and how to cook pasta.

The recipes come with both metric and imperial measurements of the ingredients, introduction, timings, yield and numbered steps to follow. Not all the recipes have a photograph to accompany them, but those that do look delicious.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

A pretty straightforward collection of quite purist traditional recipes. Which is not bad! It taught me a lot about traditional Italian cuisine, when I had foolishly imagined myself more than a beginner amateur. I'm always startled to learn how little authenticity even the "typical" national dishes of a country seem to hold once they are exported (or invented to appeal more broadly to an international palate). Still, most of this cook book boils down to "it is impossible to acquire these specific local ingredients abroad, so don't even try to get close to the original taste of this dish". Huh.

Book Review: The Italian Family Kitchen by Eva Santaguida; Harper Alexander

Rating: 4 Stars

As someone who has a passion for cooking, especially when it comes to Italian cuisine, I was thrilled to dive into The Italian Family Kitchen: Authentic Recipes That Celebrate Homestyle Italian Cooking by Eva Santaguida and Harper Alexander. This book is like a warm hug from a beloved Italian grandmother, filled with the secrets of authentic home cooking that have been lovingly passed down through generations.

The authors, known for their engaging Pasta Grammar YouTube channel, do an incredible job of distilling their extensive knowledge into this accessible cookbook. With 100 comforting recipes, it takes you on a culinary journey through Italy's rich landscape. From fried appetizers and fresh pasta to mouthwatering desserts, the book covers it all.

One of the standout features of the introduction is its comprehensive guide on making different types of pasta, including how to use a pasta machine. As someone who's always been a bit intimidated by homemade pasta, I found this section particularly helpful. It sets the stage for what’s to come, making even the trickiest recipes feel approachable.

As I flipped through the subsequent chapters, I was delighted to see the organization by course. Each section flows seamlessly into the next—from Fritti (fried appetizers) and Pane e Pizza (bread and pizza) to Dolce (desserts)—with each recipe promising to deliver authentic Italian flavors right in your own kitchen.

The recipes are straightforward, and the methods are clearly explained. You can almost hear the authors’ voices guiding you through each step. And let's not forget about the stunning photography throughout the book; it beautifully complements the text, although I did find myself wishing for a few more images of the completed dishes. A picture can say a thousand words, after all!

The layout of The Italian Family Kitchen is another win. It strikes a great balance between being informative and visually appealing. Each recipe feels like an invitation to gather friends and family around the table, which is exactly what Italian cooking is all about.

Overall, I would highly recommend this cookbook to anyone looking to expand their culinary repertoire with authentic Italian dishes. Whether you're an experienced cook or just starting out, this book is sure to inspire you to get into the kitchen and create something delicious. It would also make a perfect gift for any cooking enthusiast’s library! So grab your apron and get ready to bring a taste of Italy into your home—after all, good food is meant to be shared.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

What a wonderfully thought-out cookbook with delicious Italian food some of which I've never heard of. Traditional recipes, helpful introductions, basic bread and pasta making. An all around good cookbook to have.

Such a beautiful cook book. I love pasta dishes and this book has a lot of those! I wish there were more pictures showing step-by-step processes and at least one photo per dish. Right now some of the dishes do not have any photos.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I'm Italian on my Dad's side, when my Nannie (Great Grandma) moved to New York from Italy. I'm related to her through my Papa and then my Dad, so a lot of the traditional family recipes were lost to me because they weren't passed down through the men. So while I'm close to my Great Aunt and Dad's sisters who graciously passed down what recipes and such they had to me, I'm always eager to expand my repertoire through further research, and seeing what other Italian families make. I want to keep that part of the family tradition alive. This book immediately starts out addressing the gap of Italian and American "food language" which I feel even greater as an American of Italian descent. And as someone in communications, I love the parallels drawn between grammar and the "language" of pasta and Italian Food. It's more than just a cookbook, it's a interesting insight and analysis of food as culture beyond the plate. They spend the first 30 pages making sure you're well versed in the basics before diving into all the mouth watering recipes. I love that everything also has the traditional name as I feel like that's something Americans really mix up. I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm excited to make literally everything in this book. I'm in Wisconsin now, which means snowed in winters, and that I can really dive into trying everything in this book. I can't wait!

This is SUCH a good cookbook. It has a great range of recipes and they are all well set out and easy to follow, accompanied by mouthwatering images.

Looking forward to trying some of the recipes in this book. They look well written and easy to follow, though would probably look a little daunting ting if you are not used to cooking at home. I liked the little tips for the recipes to make them more authentically Italian. I'm now looking into buying a pizza stone or a pizza oven so that we can make more authentic homemade pizzas.

A beautiful and delightful collection of authentic Italian recipes. It includes all of the classic dishes from pizza, pasta, calzone, breads, risotto, and desserts. I was pleasantly surprised by some unique (to me) recipes such as Butternut Squash Risotto, Baked Chicken, and the Pine Nut Custard Pie. Kudos to Eva Santaguida and Harper Alexander for capturing the heart and soul of the Italian kitchen. I can't wait to see this book on bookshelves! Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Beautifully written and illustrated Italian cookbook. The recipes are very traditional with pictures and instructions well laid out and easy to follow.

Fantastic book of Italian recipes! Great photos, lots of pasta recipes, and divided into sections by course, this book is a feast for the eyes. This book feels authenticlly Italian, not American Italian.

I can't wait to make some of these recipes! Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point | Rock Point for the ARC!

I am always looking for new cookbooks and new recipes and Italian is a favorite of mine. When I saw this book I knew I needed to look through it and see what it had to offer. This cookbook is full of authentic Italian recipes that look delicious. I especially loved the beginning of the book where it lays out how to make fresh pasta and gnocchi. I will definitely be trying the gnocchi. The layout of this cookbook was nice and the imagery was a perfect complement to the recipes. I do wish there were more pictures of the completed dishes since I love seeing what the dish would look like before making it. Overall this is a great authentic Italian cookbook with a good selection of recipes. I definitely need to try a few of these.

This was a fun cookbook to look through! It is definitely filled with authentic Italian recipes, so I would recommend it to more experienced cooks. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.