Trattoria: Food For Family and Friends by Ursula Ferrigno

Italy is famed for its trattorias and Ursula Ferrigno's new book brings them vividly to life. Trattorias have long been the backbone of Italian eating, with the majority being family run. Thus the food you find there is the kind of food that works brilliantly in your own kitchen. Ursula's recipes are 100 per cent authentic, some from chefs at her favourite establishments, others from family and friends, handed down from generation to generation.

The dishes are uncomplicated, making full use of seasonal ingredients and ideally suited to family cooking. This is a cookbook where you can truly put your hand on your heart and say that you want to try every recipe. Ursula's recipes are fail-safe and are always spot on flavour wise.

Our list of favourites is endless but this recipe deserves special mention. Pasta with pumpkin, sage and mozzarella butter comes from Renato Sozzani of Trattoria della Posta in Sondrio, Liguria. The butter is made by processing mozzarella with half the cheese's weight in butter with sage, garlic, lemon zest and juice. Roll it into a cylinder shape and then chill in the fridge for several hours. Serve the cheese cut into slices over the pasta and roasted pumpkin. Toss until the cheese starts to melt. Absolutely delicious.

The conception of this book can only have been the beginning of the adventure. Can you imagine the fun of researching your way around Italy, visiting your favourite trattorias? Follow in Ursula's steps by using the book in part as a guide to some of Italy's best eateries. All the recipes that come direct from chefs have their establishments mentioned and so are easy to find. For a taste of Italy, Trattorias could not be a better place to start.

Publication details:
256 pp. Photography by Francesca Yorke. £20
Published by Mitchell Beazley
ISBN 1840009160
2004

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