In the introduction to My Italian Garden author Viana La Place tells us, "I created my current Italian garden based on the six summers I spent in a small town by the sea in the Salento....During these long periods, I lived the life of an Italian." This book is a tribute not only those gardens, but to the philosophy inherent in the Italian love of the garden, of the earth, of the very best produce that comes so fresh and ripe from a garden. Responding to her garden, La Place has organized according to the seasons.
La Place's recipes sing with love of the garden and of cooking. Admirably simple, these are recipes that that are quick and simple, relying on good ingredients for sublime taste, rather than the use of manufactured products to season otherwise tasteless food. If you are a city dweller who can't have a garden, you can still plant a few pots and you can shop in farmer's markets.
Responding to the earth, La Place has organized according to the seasons, utilizing the freshest of ingredients.
La Place tells us that "In keeping with my resolve to base all my recipes on what grows in my garden, I have tried some unusual combinations. Usually, the results are surprisingly good." They are surprises and you want to test them eagerly. Try a Risotto with Orange and Lemon, a sparkling and filling dish. Try a Ditalini with Chickpeas and Tomatoes al Forno and discover the depth of taste in chickpeas when the get toasty on the surface. Try a Sformato of Young Cauliflower, and Herb-Infused Besciamella, a creamy dish that will make you a cauliflower fan. Try an arresting but oh-so-simple dish of Spaghettini with Basil Leaves and Strands of Lemon-Zest. Try a Soup with New Potatoes, Saffron, Basil, and Mascarpone. La Place suggests using a potato masher rather than a food processor, and the resulting depth is refreshing to those of us (mea culpa) who have over-used our food processors.
La Place often suggests that if you have a garden, you pick young and tender vegetables rather than wait for them to fully mature. The craze for baby carrots illustrates the sanity of her advice.
The comments that appear over each recipe have practical advice, but maintain a pensive quality, as if La Place were meditating on each ingredient. We imagine her turing each over in her hand, thinking, examining, pondering. That same thoughtfulness is in the recipes. La Place joins in our current thinking and states that "All the recipes in this book reflect the themes of seasonality, simplicity and freshness. This is garden-style cooking, and it makes being in the kitchen a joy rather than a chore. Time spent preparing dishes is minimal and the rewards are great."
La Place introduces each season with a garden report that reflects her joy in touching the earth and harvesting the newest ingredient. There are charming illustrations throughout by Cindy Salans Rosenheim.
About the author: Viana La Place is the author or co-author of eight previous cookbooks, including Panini, Bruschetta, Crostini; Cucina Rustica; Verdura; and Cucina Fresco. She lives and gardens on the north side of San Francisco, overlooking the bay.
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