An Italian Journey of Recipes Recounted with Love

Dear Francesca

A charming story, warmly and sensuously told, of an Italian family's emigration to Scotland, and the respect for Italian attitudes and passion for food that formed the cornerstone of their family life

part cookery, part storytelling - and wholly beguiling...don't miss it: there won't be a better cookbook published this decade

a charming story...she unravels the family history like a precious thread...Contini's writing has a naturalness and honesty about it that brings a lump to the throat on occasion.  It is full of warmth, love and respect for traditional Italian attitudes to food as the cornerstone of a nurturing family life.  A lovely unmissable book.

a really heartwarming book of recollections and recipes, recounted with love and gusto

a remarkable book...a pleasure to read as well as to cook from

From the barren mountains of Southern Italy to the chilly streets of Edinburgh, this is a joy - both in and out of the kitchen

Based in Edinburgh, Mary Contini is a partner in the famous Italian delicatessen Valvona and Crolla. She also writes a column for The Scotsman and has presented Scotland's Larder on television.

Written by leading cookery author Mary Contini, this delightful narrative is in the bestselling tradition of Anthony Bourdain and Annie Hawes. It tells the tale of the Di Ciacca family, tracing their journey from the barren Abruzzi mountains to the chilly streets of post-war Edinburgh. Addressing her daughter Francesca as she embarks on independent life, this is a compelling, often moving, family history in which Contini describes her ancestors' loves and lives in their adopted homeland where traditions were kept alive around the dinner table. With characters as colourful as in any novel, this is a book that will appeal to anyone who loves Italian food and wishes to share in a sense of family. It adds up to one of the most original books for food lovers in recent years, blending great narrative with heartwarming recipes and recollections.

Mary Contini

Philip Contini

suggestions for sumptuous, seasonal cooking spiced with memories of the shop, it's character and history

You can't go wrong realy, if you approach food in this celebratory spirit

A Year at an Italian Table

Valvona &amp; Crolla has been described as 'the Sistine chapel of continental delis'. Founded in 1934 by the Continis' ancestors, the Italian shop and restaurant is legendary in food circles for its excellent food and drink. Now, co-owners Mary (author of the bestselling <i>Dear Francesca</i> and co-author of the Easy Peasy cooking series) presents 200 delicious and authentic recipes. Organised season by season, the book offers a year of sumptuous delights from around the country of her heritage, together with recommendations for wines to match them. <br/>
<br/>
Starting with the festive flavours of winter, such as a creamy chestnut soup with smoked pancetta, moving on to the best of spring's vegetables with a broad bean and spinach frittata, fresh seafood dishes in the summer, and finishing with the truffles, olive pressings and slow-cooked casseroles of the autumn, this beautifully written and evocatively photographed book adds up to a food diary of personal stories, history, anecdotes and recipes, all imbued with the warmth and local knowledge that only a true Italian family, passionate about food, can deliver.

Valvona & Crolla

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Praise for Valvona & Crolla

A loving and lyrical tome of a cookbook

suggestions for sumptuous, seasonal cooking spiced with memories of the shop, it's character and history

Celebrate home cooking the Italian way

A loving and lyrical tome of a cookbook

suggestions for sumptuous, seasonal cooking spiced with memories of the shop, it's character and history

Celebrate home cooking the Italian way

A loving and lyrical tome of a cookbook

suggestions for sumptuous, seasonal cooking spiced with memories of the shop, it's character and history

Celebrate home cooking the Italian way

Books by Mary Contini

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