Enchanted Liguria: A Celebration of the Culture, Lifestyle and Food of the Italian Riviera

by David Downie and Alison Harris

Book Overview

To travelers, the Italian Riviera and its famous villages-- Portofino, the Cinque Terre-- have meant "vacation," "sea" and "sun" for more than a century. To food lovers everywhere its culinary... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0847820076
• ISBN13: 9780847820078
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Rizzoli International Publications
• Length: 193 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.3" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Enchanted by Enchanted Liguria

Genoa?too bad this fascinating city has been in the news because of the shocking police brutality against protestors at the Group of 8 summit meeting held there in July.Fortunately, there?s more to Genoa than those unfortunate events and if you read David Downie?s well-written and informative celebration of the culture, lifestyle and food of the Italian Riviera, you?ll see why. Downie writes authoritatively and graciously: his sidebars on everything from trompe-l??il (which the Genoans didn?t invent but which they did make full use of) to pesto (which appears in all their dishes) to native son Christopher Columbus (who the author discovered is, for the Genoans, just one explorer among many ) give a real feel for the art and architecture, history and cuisine of this largely unknown area of Italy. Photographer Alison Harrison?s beautiful photos also give us a feel for the place, from the interiors of magnificent palaces and humble kitchens to the colorful details of a greengrocer?s shop in the carrugi, Genoa?s medieval city. The traditional Ligurian recipes presented are not only mouthwatering, but doable. In fact, rather than write this review, I think I?ll go cook up a dish of Coniggio a?a carlonn-a (rabbit fricasseed with herbs, pine nuts, olives and white wine). I know I can?t mess it up? " a-a carlonn-a ", the author explains, means that even an idiot can make this simple dish successfully.

Visit to the Italian Riviera

If you are just looking for a bunch of regional recipes this book is not for you. If you want to make a vicarious journey to Liguria through the eyes of this book, then it is for you. Thankfully the authors do not overly romanticize Liguria. They take you into the backwoods, hills, and farms, not just the charming ocean villages. Only about 1/4 of this book is recipes. But when you come away with a "feel" for a region and not just a laundry list of recipes, you have a larger experience than just food. I wish more regional cookbooks gave you this kind of glimpse into the region. Despite all of this, I think there could have been more recipes. I learned so much about Liguria from this book. I just wanted more ways of bringing Ligurian food "home" to my kitchen. Whenever I can afford a trip to Italy, it will contain a stop in Liguria all because of this book.

superb

It's the next best thing to being in Italy. William Murray, long-time New Yorker contributor and author of Italy, the Fatal GiftFor good reason, the region has been called "Enchanted Liguria" by authors David Downie and Alison Harris. In their lavishly illustrated book (Rizzoli, 1997), this husband-and-wife team have vividly captured the culture, history, and daily life of this delightful place in pictures and words. Lorna Sass, Los Angeles Times syndicateDavid Downie investigates the unique and often misunderstood character of Liguria and how that is reflected in its architecture, lifestyle and cuisine. It's a fascinating but unromanticized view of an insular people... Daniel Young, New York Daily NewsBeautifully presented... this book closes the way all fine things Italian must -- with a good meal, and Downie's flourish of fine wine and recipes leaves readers with a sense of Liguria that is as satisfyingly complete as it is mouthwateringl! y inviting. San Francisco Sunday ExaminerComplete with authentic recipes, stunning photography by Alison Harris, and a detailed guide to cultural and epicurean hot spots, the 208-page book captures the spirit and customs of the hidden hilltop villages and enticing Riviera beaches of northwest Italy's Liguria region. Appellation MagazineSplendid illustrations and equally well written... This book is an act of love, but first and foremost a work of meticulous, heartfelt research... a tale of traditions, landscapes and beauties that, often, even Ligurians themselves do not know... Many will be surprised to discover a fantastic reality that they see every day and, precisely because of that, fail to capture. Il Secolo XIX, major Italian dailyThe fruit of their labor is a very interesting book, destined to arouse the curiosity even of those who know -- or pretend to know -- Liguria inside and out. Il Giornale, major Italian daily