Pastissima!: Italian Pasta the Italian Way

Linda Perry is a senior policy analyst with the Ontario Ministry of
Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.

Pastissima! compresses a wealth of knowledge into a modest volume. It
features a brief history of pasta, as well as information on pasta
basics, pasta in all of its forms (fresh, dried, filled, baked, gnocchi,
pasta soups, and pasta salads), and how to prepare homemade varieties.
Each recipe includes preparation and cooking times, level of difficulty,
and a suggested wine to accompany the dish. Most of the recipes are easy
to make, but there are also more demanding recipes to test your mettle.
Measures are given in imperial units. Ingredients are for the most part
readily available, and there are suggested substitutions for
less-accessible items. For about half the dishes, there are full-page
color photos.

While the book is beautifully designed and photos are plentiful, there
is no nutritional information on such matters as calories, fat content,
or carbohydrates. Nor are there suggestions for suitable accompaniments
to the pasta dishes to round out the menu. Nevertheless, the volume is a
serviceable and informative pasta reference.