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28.11.12
Book Review: Amalfi Coast Recipes by Amanda Tabberer
The Amalfi Coast stretches for around fifty kilometres along the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Italy. It is considered to be one of Europe’s most breathtaking coastlines. Cliffs towering over the clear seas with white washed villas perched on the slopes. It has gorgeous old towns, with cobbled streets, the most famous being Sorrento followed by Positano and of course, it has astounding food. In this book Amanda Tabberer lets us explore the Amalfi Coast through our sense of taste and my, is it ever amazing. 
The food of a region is always a wonderful insight into how people live, and Amanda lets us discover and enjoy this region as a local would with recipes that have been handed down over generations. The food is often simple, made with fresh, in season ingredients. You’ll find a strong emphasis on fresh seafood but this is a book of coastal recipes, so that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.
Amanda has collected a stunning compilation of recipes that have been handed down by families for generations as closely guarded secrets. She has met and dined with some of the area’s best chefs and somehow managed to convince them to share their heritage recipes with the world... and wow, we are certainly lucky to have them.
This is such a beautiful book. A big, bright and colourful hardback that is a joy to read. The photography is incredible. It has been elegantly shot on location by Simon Griffiths. The design and layout of Amalfi Coast Recipes is modern and compliments the beautiful range of recipes.
Each recipe includes a personal note from Amanda, be it a piece of regional information, a cooking tip or even a memory from her time on this gorgeous stretch of coastline. You will find mini biographies of the chefs that have shared their heirloom recipes spread throughout the book, it is a beautiful touch and it adds to the authenticity.
The food is amazing. You will enjoy everything from the Arancini di Riso (Giant Rice Balls), the Pomodoro Sorrentino Imbottito (Stuffed Oxheart Tomatoes), the Spaghetti Con I Zucchini (Zucchini Spaghetti) and the Pollo alla Cacciatore (Hunters’ Chicken) and much much more.
Italy has always been known for its food and now you can discover the history of these tantalising tastes and recipes. Amalfi Coast Recipes is a regional culinary journey at its very best. It is like travelling without the passport. It is certainly not your regular Italian cookbook.
RRP - $49.99 (Penguin Lantern Books)
Book Review by Jess Godfrey - Copyright © 2012 Jess Godfrey – All Rights
About the Author
 Amanda, daughter of Australian fashion icon Maggie Tabberer, forged her own career as a fashion stylist, working in Milan for Conde Nast and in Florence for Italian fashion guru Enrico Coveri before moving to Positano. Soon she established her own line of Italian designer wear, which she exported and sold locally for more than 15 years and set up an exclusive villa rental business on the Amalfi Coast which continues to flourish today. My Amalfi Coast was her first book.
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