The Italian Baker

August 15, 2011
After 26 years, journalist and cookbook author Field returns with a revised edition of The Italian Baker. The new edition “upgrades” include color photographs, source guides, and updated equipment sections and instructions. A solid collection of traditional Italian baked goods, breads dominate, despite the title, with instructions on how to prepare loaves by hand, mixer, or food processor. An in-depth look at Italian bread baking and its history starts the section, and headnotes give regional notes and serving suggestions. Loaves span the Italian peninsula, from pane toscano scuro, a dark Tuscan bread, to casatiello, a Neapolitan Easter-season bread, and pane di Genzano, a bread from the city of Genzano, located south of Rome. A selection of focaccia includes variations with sea salt, sage, olives, and Gorgonzola, and a handy chapter focusing on using leftover breads guides readers to bread-based soups, salads, and desserts. Pizzas, cookies, tarts, and cakes round out the authentic and trusted title that includes such classics as pizza alla Siciliana, amaretti, and tiramisù.

October 1, 1985
Italy's breads are "expressions of an earthy culture that still talks about its most fundamental experiences in terms of bread. . . . A down-to-earth man with a real heart of gold is described as `buono come il pane'good, like bread,'' observes Field (The Hill Towns of Italy). Her book of baked goods is packed with recipes for breads made with herbs, mushrooms, fruits and cheeses; traditional loaves; breadsticks and rolls; chocolate and holiday breads; pizza and focaccia; as well as strudels and tarts, cakes and cookies. There are even recipes for leftover breadcrostini, garlicky vegetable soup, apple cake. Included also are directions for kneading by hand, by mixer and by food processor; dry ingredients are measured by both volume and weight. In order to write this book, Field worked with bakers in different regions of Italy and watched women making bread for their families. She recreates here for the American baker authentic Italian tastes and textures. Her informed discussion of ingredients and methods and her engaging commentary on the role of bread in Italy's history make this an important book for bakers. 20,000 first printing; Cooking & Crafts Book Club main selection; author tour. Foreign rights: Harper. October 30