Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill
I was fortunate to work for Chef Pino Posteraro at his excellent Vancouver restaurant, so I know him well and have huge respect for him. This book is subtitled ‘A Lifetime of Excellence in the Kitchen’, and that is apt. Pino is one of the only working chefs I know in the city, working at restaurant 5 days week, constantly in touch with his food and his eaters.
Currently Vancouver Magazine’s ‘Chef of the Year‘, Pino has created a beautiful and approachable work, featuring modern Italian with traditional – if you love Italian food, you must own this book. It is stuffed with amazing pasta recipes, risotto, seafoods; I was truly surprised to see that he was sharing so many of his great ideas! The book is well-written, beautifully laid out with wonderful photographs of his remarkable dishes.
I worked for Pino as his Pastry Chef, and so have made all of the dessert recipes in this book (and then some!) I know they all work well, with very satisfying results – Creme Brule, Biscotti, Gorgonzola Cheesecake with Red Wine-poached figs and Port Syrup, Lemon Chiboust with Roasted Pineapple and Almond Milk Sorbet, Tiramisu, Chocolate Terrine with Espresso Caramel Sauce, Tuiles Nougatines, Okanagan Apple Tarte Tatin with Caramel Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream, Macaroons, Organic Lemon Tart with Italian Merinque and Raspberry Compote, Organic Honey Semifreddo with Orange Sauce and Cassis Caramel – I can personally vouch for them all. My personal favorite? Warm Chestnut Cake with White Chocolate Sauce and Maple Syrup Ice Cream – yum!
Cioppino’s (the restaurant) is very expensive, a credit-card buster that is worth every penny; I only go on very special occasions! If you can’t afford it, or can’t get to Vancouver, then this is the next best thing to being fed by Pino himself. Recommended completely.
what i like about italian food is the pasta and spaghetti. they are so yummy`;*