Easy Recipes from My Home Kitchen to Make Year-Round: A Baking Book
June 4, 2012
A follow-up to his SoNo Baking Company Cookbook, Barricelli’s latest was “conceived with family—mine and yours—in mind” and includes photographs of his children and encouragement to bring children into the kitchen. Dedicated to “All single parents,” the single father of two keeps the title sophisticated with recipes such as warm figs and prosciutto and bruschetta, poached pears in red wine, and sweet corn ice cream, yet accessible to the whole family with Better-than-store-bought Fig Newtons, trail mix cookies, and chocolate-cherry cupcakes. With the “majority of recipes for everyday baking” and extensive preliminary pages, including a well-thought-out shopping guide, this collection is a fit for new and experienced bakers alike. Savory recipes, including a variety of pizzas and focaccia, highlight seasonal ingredients, as do the sweets throughout the title. A special bonus for all bakers: Mrs. Kostyra’s (as in Martha Stewart’s mom) date squares. Agent, Coleen O’Shea.
May 15, 2012
Don't let conventional categories--e.g., "Muffins, Quick Breads, Buns and Other Breakfast Treats," "Cookies and Bars," "Frozen Fruit Desserts"--make you think this is a generic baking book. Innovations in flavor and presentation abound in these 135 sweet and savory recipes from Connecticut-based bakery owner Barricelli, who has worked for Martha Stewart and Le Bernardin and other kitchens of note. He offers Cherry-Almond Crisp instead of apple, and his Blueberry Cheesecakes are cleverly baked in individual jars. Note that Barricelli's definition of seasonal caters more to supermarket shoppers than locavores (the shopping guide includes international imports). VERDICT A solid follow-up to The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook, suitable for easy everyday baking.
Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.