by Grazia Giuliani
Grazia Giuliani has created a book filled with love – love of family, love of good food, love of the Italian way of life.
The first part of Versatile guides the reader gently into Grazia’s family life, both as a child and as a mother. She describes her childhood holidays, shopping with her mother, going into the countryside and gathering food, the family meals and watching her mother cooking and how she in turn is trying to instil the same love of family and food into her own children.
Then there is the section on Seasons and Sensations describing the colours of the season through the colours of fruit and vegetables: for winter the deep red of radiccio; for autumn the orange of persimmons; the yellow of summer fruits. Every now and then she turns her attention to the history of dishes like gelato, panettone, formaggi. Fascinating information.
The remaining two thirds of the book are devoted to recipes – some quick and easy to prepare others more elaborate. Next summer when courgettes and tomatoes are ripe and plentiful we’ll be making Torta Salata Rustica, perhaps followed by a Duetto di Pesche – peaches, lemons and red wine. For recipes like her stuffed vegetablerecipe Grazia thoughtfully gives both meat and vegetarian options. Both sound delicious.
The illustrations are delightful – family photos, recipe illustrations and stunning views of Italy. ISBN 978-1-851-496839. £25. ACC Editions – www.antiquecollectorsclub.com/uk