I absolutely positively love this cookbook. If you are a cook this should be added to your collection of cookbooks. If you are just learning how to cook, or cook occasionally, the colorful photos alone will inspire you. This is a wonderful gift for your girlfriends & family who enjoy cooking. The recipes are packed full of flavor.
Last night was warm and I was not sure what to cook for dinner since I am SUPPOSEDLY on a diet to fit into that teeny weeny polka dot bikini (see my foodie Friday post 4/24). I was thinking of my grandmother's chicken piccata recipe and thought I would give Ina's recipe a try. Now this chicken piccata recipe is not exactly light yet I was so in the mood for this meal. With some minor tweaking, which consisted of cutting back on the oil and butter, I managed to shave off a few calories and fat. I could have baked the entire thing in the oven but I really wanted that crunch and the olive oil for flavor. I don't know how you feel, but some days you just need flavor and that usually makes me eat less too. I loaded up my plate with lots of salad first and veggies and limited my portion size of the piccata. Since there are no calories listed in this book I can only guess at the calories and the WW point factor. It was satisfying and tasty.
I would serve this to company along with a nice tossed salad and seasonal vegetables and a bottle of white wine. For dessert I would make Ina's summer fruit crostata. I promise to showcase that heavenly recipe in a few weeks when plums and blueberries are in season.
*This recipe can be found on page 96 and also on foodnetwork.
Mangia!
Mangia!
