I’m a cookbook addict, I’m the first to admit it. I daren’t even count my collection but I can tell you that it requires a sizeable bookcase all of its own. I suppose like clothes, something else I am a hoarder of, there are the books that you dip into on an almost daily basis, and there are those that are there, like the old Levi’s that fit like a glove and go with everything, it’s comforting to know they are ready and waiting when you need them. The Silver Spoon cookbook is one of them. A pair of Levi’s when you can’t decide what to wear, a cookbook that always inspires when you can’t decide what to cook.
The Silver Spoon, if you’re not acquainted with this brick of a book, is a complete bible of authentic Italian cooking with over 2,000 recipes. The book blurb boldly and rightly claims to be “the only book on Italian cooking you’ll ever need”.
Il Cucchiaio d’ Argento (The Silver Spoon) was first published in 1950 and fast became an instant classic. The recipes within the pages were gathered from Italian families and cooks and were the recipes that had been passed down through the generations, perfected over many years and many stoves. All areas of Italy are covered and all regional specialities are included to make it a sweeping, all encompassing tome.
The Silver Spoon was first translated into English in 2005 and a new edition was published in 2011 which features 400 additional photographs.
As well as the chunky original we have the Silver Spoon for Children. This book is without a doubt my favourite cookbook for children, it’s so refreshing in its non-cutesy, non-gender specific cooking. I’ve said before that I think teaching children how to cook is as valid a part of raising children as learning to read and write and it’s books like this that make that task really, really easy. And fun too.
The recipes are all adapted from the Mothership book and with step by step instructions and great little illustrations they are easy to follow too. Expect frittata, pizza dough, easy pasta making, pesto, stews, ice cream and some very fine cakes – I have my eye on the hazelnut cake. I’ve written about this book before once we my girls and I made gnocchi.
Amber made tea a few days ago and it was to be a surprise, no peeking. I came in to help with the bubbling pan, she’d made pasta.
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| She’s not pale, she’s floury |
And a simple tomato sauce to go with it. It was the best tea I’ve had in ages.
Oh I should tell you that this isn’t a sponsored post it’s just me gushing on my own accord – but these are really, really gush worthy books though.
Wow. Clever girl! I haven’t come across that book before (either of them) but I really like the sound of the children’s one especially – you’re so right that there’s not a lot of children’s cook books around that are really good.
I have never made pasta before it seems so daunting. I love how kids just plough on in there! The books are great, I recommend them both but the kid’s one is wonderful.
I bought myself a pasta machine for my birthday last October but have yet to use it in anger. Making pasta is one of those (many) things that I’ll do one day once I locate a supply of round tuits.
I’m considering buying one…
Which, a round tuit or a pasta machine?
A pasta machine, I have a whole house full of round tuits!
Amber you little darling. How lovely and adventurous and generous not to mention delicious. Mwah xxx
That’s the other upside to teaching your children to cook, they cook for you!
I always have a wee look at the children’s version when I’m at yours. Not taken the plunge yet. That’s probably because I already have far too many cookbooks already. Might have to invest…
Hello Katie, you can have too many cookbooks? Really?
x
Of course not, just not enough time to make everything.
Hee hee, yep this much is true