In the book world, the month of November is dedicated to reading and sharing non-fiction books. This month I’ll be sharing some non-fiction books that I think would be great for readers, young and old. These books will cover various topics and interests.
Click HERE to see more amazing #NonFicNov books like THE STORY OF PASTA AND HOW TO COOK IT!
THE STORY OF PASTA AND HOW TO COOK IT!
By: Steven Guarnaccia with Heather Thomas
Published:
Publisher: Phaidon
Non-Fiction/Cookbook
If I could eat pasta every day I probably would. It’s my go-to comfort food, restaurant order, and when nothing else sounds good…pasta. I love to eat it plain with butter, but a good alfredo sauce or garlic sauce works too. When this book arrived I was thrilled! Even though it’s written for kids, I learned so much about the various pasta varieties and the stories behind their creation. This is a great book for parents and kids to enjoy together.
Who knew there were at least 35 different pasta shapes? When I go to the pasta aisle at the store, there are maybe a dozen different varieties, but this compilation includes several that I’d never even heard of. Now I have even more reasons to eat pasta! I need to try Malfaldine, Anelletti, and Trofie to name a few. Each pasta is featured on the page with an illustration of the pasta connected to its name. For example, the Conchiglie is shown inside a conch shell because that is how the pasta is shaped. There is a brief story about the history of each pasta type, the best ways to cook and eat that type of pasta, and where in the world it is typically eaten. Then the next page includes a recipe using that pasta with a photograph of the recipe as well.
At the beginning of the book, readers will learn what pasta is, how to eat it like an Italian, cooking terms, items to keep in your pantry, the tools you’ll need to make the recipes, and how to make your own pasta from scratch.
There is so much I love about this book including the full-page illustrations and recipes, the photographs of the finished dish, the cute illustrations of the pasta, and of course the history behind each one. I think my favorite was “The Story of Ruote” or as I called it as a kid, wagon wheel pasta. Ruote means wheels in Italian. I think it is interesting that it is similar to the English word route. Radiatori pasta and Ruote pasta were created around the same time as automobiles became popular in Italy. Radiatori is said to look like a car’s radiator and Ruote the car’s wheels. Also, you can thank President Thomas Jefferson for bringing pasta to the United States.
For families that like to cook together, this book would make an excellent gift. With history and cooking lessons, some fascinating facts, silly illustrations, and of course, a delicious meal after the hard work, the whole family can get involved in reading and enjoying this book.
Steven Guarnaccia is an internationally recognized illustrator and designer, and Emeritus Professor of Illustration at Parsons School of Design. He has authored and illustrated numerous children’s books for Chronicle Books, Abrams, and Corraini. He has won several awards and has been exhibited in one-man shows in the USA and Europe.
Heather Thomas is a health and cookery writer and editor who has many cookbooks to her name and has contributed to health and food magazines in the UK and the United States. She is the author of THE GREEK VEGETARIAN COOKBOOK, also published by Phaidon.
To purchase a copy of THE STORY OF PASTA AND HOW TO COOK IT!, click the photo below:
Other posts you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under #NonficNov, Book Review, Children's books, cookbook, Heather Thomas, non-fiction, pasta, Steven Guarnaccia