As much as I love the feel of an actual physical book, I live in NYC where space is something I don’t have – so I rely on extensively on my Kindle to store all of my favorite stories. The most recent addition to my digital library is The Tuscan Sun Cookbook: Recipes from Our Italian Kitchen by Frances Mayes. The author of the acclaimed Under the Tuscan Sun (from which the movie starring Diane Lane was based) has published this collection of inspired recipes.
I saw Under the Tuscan Sun when I was in middle school and I fell in love with the sweeping views of Tuscan countryside, the field of sunflowers, the dilapidated but incredibly charming villa Bramasole, the parade of characters. But there was one scene that got me everytime (besides when Frances begins renovating her house), when Frances begins to cook. Bread, pastas, artichokes, wine, and poached pears only manage to rate two minutes of the movie but it always stuck with me. The food all looked, well, welcoming – which is why I was thrilled to read The Tuscan Sun Cookbook.
Frances writing style has always appealed to me, and her narration of this cookbook is as warm and enchanting as ever. The cookbook includes more than 150 recipes, with Frances guiding us through each. The recipes do not come across as complicated, instead they capitalize on the heart of Tuscan cooking – where ingredients are “left to shine, not combined with a list as long as your arm or tortured into odd combinations”.
The photographs make me wish I owned this in hardcover – where it would be much loved, and quite possibly end up with sprinkles of flour between the pages along with other wayward ingredients.
If you’re in the market for a good cookbook with simple recipes and an engaging narrative, this one is for you. Find it here.
I really loved this movie I will have to check out the cookbook I normally like cookbooks to be in book form but I can understand with your issue with room in your apartment, the kindle works best. I got my Mom a Nook and she liked it quite a bit, now it’s mine to use and I do like it for a tablet as well as reading books.
Great post as always!! Hope your holiday was wonderful !!
Rosemary
I have seen the movie but had no idea there was a cookbook. I bet there are some mouthwatering recipes in this book!
The cover alone would make me want to dig in and make something from this cookbook!
This sounds pretty magical to me! I think the narration will be as delightful as the recipes.
I’m always looking for a good cookbook! I like Kindle books to avoid clutter too.
This sounds amazing. Everything I love. Travel, food and books. Thank you for sharing!