Tasting RomeFresh Flavors and Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City
Foreword by Mario Batali
A love letter from two Americans to their adopted city, showcasing modern dishes influenced by tradition, as well as the rich culture of their surroundings.
Even 150 years after unification, Italy is still a divided nation where individual regions are defined by their local cuisine– mirrors of their culture, history, and geography. But the cucina romana is the country’s greatest standout. In Tasting Rome, journalist Katie Parla and photographer Kristina Gill capture Rome’s unique character and truly evolved food culture– a culimation of two thousand years of history.
The recipes here, each selected for the story it tells, acknowledge the foundations of the cuisine and demonstrate how it has transitioned to the variations found today: cacio e pepe is not only a peppery condiment for pasta, but also a filling for suppli, fried rice balls; pollo alla romana is served as a summer platter of peppers stewed with chicken, but also deboned and on hearty sandwiches. Parla and Gill focus, too, on cucina ebraica to highlight the role Rome’s Jewish communities have had, bringing dishes such as hraimi con couscous, which incorporates spicy amberjack, and matzoh fritters, pizzarelle, with honey and pine nuts; celebrate the authentic quinto quarto (“the fifth quarter”) offal, and luscious verdure, which grow all over; acknowledge the baked pizzas and breads that anchor everyday eating; and explore the ever-changing culture of sweets and cocktails.
With its forgotten recipes, beloved favorites, and street food innovations, the book transports all the flavors of Rome into your kitchen. Narrative features revealing bits of history and gorgeous photography that highlight both the food and its hidden city will immediately inspire you to start Tasting Rome.
“A fantastically detailed look into Rome’s most remarkable dishes… a new classic in the Italian food library.” —Saveur
“The kitchens of Rome come alive in this cookbook celebrating classic and contemporary dishes from today’s Roman table. In more than 85 recipes, food and travel journalists Parla and Gill bring their city’s characteristic cuisine to the home cook…[a] solid introduction to Roman cooking.” —Publishers Weekly
“[In Tasting Rome], journalist Katie Parla and photographer Kristina Gill go deep on the ancient and modern foods of Italy’s capital city, where the traditions are as unique as the city is historic. Recipes run from the city’s classic cacio e pepe and fried rice suppli to contemporary contributions from Rome’s new generation of chefs.”
—Epicurious
“For foodies (and fans of Italy) around the world, this is a must-have for the kitchen library.” — Skylife Magazine
“This book captures the beauty of artisan food! The combination of recipes and photographs make me feel as if I am back in Rome.”—Alice Waters, chef/owner of Chez Panisse and author of The Art of Simple Food
“Tasting Rome is the definitive vehicle for viewing Roman culture through its food. It is filled with exquisite recipes, fascinating craftspeople, accomplished chefs and stunning photography. They all make for a must have book for any food lover or home cook.” —Andrew Zimmern, chef and author
“This book is as much a comprehensive study as it is a love affair with one of my favorite cities in the world.” —Marc Vetri, chef/owner of the Vetri Family of Restaurants and author of Mastering Pasta
“For years I’ve used Katie and Kristina’s on-point insights and recommendations when traveling to Rome. I’m thrilled, now, to be following them into the kitchen, recipes and inspired photographs in tow. Tasting Rome celebrates the food, recipes, and culture of one of the world’s great cities written and photographed by two women primed to know its stories and secrets “—Heidi Swanson, author of Near & Far
“I dare you to get more than 10 pages into this book without attempting to purchase a plane ticket to Rome. With verve and honesty, Katie Parla and Kristina Gill have painted a culinary portrait of a beautifully complicated city forever at the crossroads of past and future. Impeccably researched and beautifully designed, Tasting Rome is essential reading for anyone who has ever twirled pasta around a fork.” —Talia Baiocchi, editor-in-chief of Punch
“I plan to keep learning from Tasting Rome on repeated readings for years to come. It is a gem.” —Brooks Headley, chef/owner of Superiority Burger
“In a time when food trends seem to change by the hour, Tasting Rome is a delightfully devoted to tradition. This cookbook is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your dinner table and is bound to make everyone excited to sit down and eat.” —Grace Bonney, founder of Design*Sponge
“Reading Tasting Rome is like getting a private tour of the city with two of the most in-the-know Roman transplants. The recipes are so refreshingly not trendy: They’re old school and old world and I’m so happy these two made such an effort to preserve and celebrate them. Couple with Kristina Gill’s incredible photography, this book is a keeper.” —Julia Turshen, co-author of It’s All Good
“This is not just a cookbook! Katie and Kristina pack in history and culture into the story of Rome’s rich and delicious food history. Their narrative draws on the ancient, creative, and progressive interpretation of an Italian regional style, all of which are timeless and continue to be relevant, fundamental, and influential in modern international cuisine.”—Jenn Louis, chef/co-owner of Lincoln and Sunshine Tavern and author of Pasta By Hand
“In Tasting Rome, Kristina and Katie have brought Rome to you with a festival of food and drink. It’s such a gorgeous book with well thought out recipes, I’m booking my plane tickets now!”—Justin Gellatly, co-founder of Bread Ahead and author of Bread, Cake, Doughnut, Pudding
“A tribute to the regional cuisine of Italy’s capital and largest city. —Ebony
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