Fabio's 30-Minute Italian

May 1, 2017
Viviani, a restaurateur and TV personality, knows which side his garlic bread is buttered on. Seven photos of his handsome face turn up even before the first appetizer appears, and another half dozen or so are scattered among the more than 100 recipes. All of this helps to distract from the fact that a large handful of these recipes take longer than 30 minutes to prepare. They are rustic, leisurely dishes that shouldn’t be hurried to begin with, but Viviani betrays his premise not only with a 45-minute carrot soup and a 90-minute strawberry-almond soufflé, but abandons the concept completely with a six-hour braised pork and an eight-hour leg of lamb. “Everything I am I owe to pasta,” he writes; thus the book’s centerpiece offers instruction on making classic, whole-wheat, and gluten-free pastas, and provides 16 hearty and fancy variations, including rigatoni with roasted shrimp, marinated crab, and red pepper sauce, as well as fettuccine with salmon, dill, zucchini ribbons, and Romano sauce. When photographer Armendariz turns his lens toward the plate, in this ultimately accessible cookbook, there are delicious close-ups of multicolored entrées such as sea bass with red pepper sauce, pistachio gremolata, and mascarpone sauce. Agent: Michael Psaltis, Culinary Entertainment.

March 15, 2017

Chef Viviani is an author, television host, and restaurateur who is well known for his appearances on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. His follow-up to Fabio's American Home Kitchen aims to simplify Italian cooking, offering takes on small plates, mains, and desserts that can be whipped up in half an hour or less. Recipes such as skillet orecchiette with tarragon and lump crab, prosecco braised chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and leeks, and spiced chocolate pudding with toasted rice crisps are speedy yet sophisticated, ideal for cooks who'd rather spend more time at the table than in the kitchen. Throughout, Viviani chimes in charmingly with tips, techniques, and personal anecdotes. VERDICT Featuring satisfying recipes from a popular personality and gorgeous photographs from noted blogger Armendariz, this title is sure to be in demand.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2017
Since many people will recognize Viviani as a Bravo Top Chef contestant (not to mention his 14 restaurants and one previous cookbook), this second and newest collection is bound to be on the library's waiting list. Though Italian flavor permeates every one of the 100+ recipes, American preferences also prevail. As does convenience. Billed as 30-minute tasks, most of the dishes fall within that time parameterthough collecting the ingredients, especially those new to the U.S. or to rural communities, might take much longer (Montasio cheese, for one. Asiago is a suggested alternate). And don't expect the traditional: minestrone is nowhere to be found (nor is a tiramisu). Incorporating loads of excellent color photographs and always-entertaining introductions and sidebars, Fabio's book proves that meal making can be quick and good tasting: from ricotta- and sausage-stuffed tomatoes and braised pork, sweet date, and kale stew to pork and veal Bolognese sauce and orange-curd parfait. Abbondanza!(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)