La Dolce Vita by Ursula Ferrigno

Sweet things from the Italian home kitchen

La Dolce Vita is a book of temptation, a collection of Ursula Ferrigno's favourite Italian desserts, cakes, biscuits and ice creams and sorbets. Heaven knows how Ursula managed to scale down the choice, given that the Italians are famed for their sweetmeats. One can only guess that Ursula, friends and family had to try out lots of recipes in order to find the perfect collection.

The Italians' sweet tooth originated from the Venetians, who were the first to import cane sugar, as well as coffee and spices, from the Orient. The Arabs, who ruled in southern Italy and Sicily, brought over their trees, fruit and nut, citrus, fig and almond. One of the most significant Arabian influences was the concept of freezing. And not surprisingly you find all these ingredients being used in the Italians' staple puddings. Not to forget the Christian tradition of celebrating saints' days with the baking of special cakes, tarts or biscuits, some of which are included here.

Whether you are searching for the definitive recipe for pannacotta, here a recipe from Piedmont with caramel, rum and Marsala, or zabaglione, you will find something to suit every palette. We particularly like Ursula's figs in Vin Santo. Simmer figs in this delicious wine for fifteen minutes until tender. Remove from the heat and add lemon juice and zest. Leave to cool and then you can bottle the fruit and syrup in airtight jars. The figs keep up to eighteen months but we defy anyone to keep them that long as they are delicious. For left over espresso you can make coffee and cinnamon water ice and the chocolate salami is a richer version of our chocolate biscuit cake. There is a recipe for the ubiquitous Garibaldi biscuits, rather unceremoniously called ‘squashed flies' by the English and which Ursula says are very easy for all, including children, to make.

Francesca Yorke has done a fabulous job on the photography and any thought of dieting in the run up to Christmas should be postponed. La Dolce Vita is a feast.

Publication details:
192 pp. Photography by Francesca Yorke. £20
Published by Mitchell Beazley
ISBN 1845330080
2005

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