Tasting Rome

Rome.

Doesn’t that word immediately make you take in a deep, dreamy breath? (That might just be my inner history nerd.)

My adoration of all things Rome began with the love affair that I have with my Bible. Rome is a major setting in the New Testament, and given that I adore Bible history, my love of Rome was bound to happen. If there is a book on Rome, set in Rome, centered around Rome, based on Rome or appears to have some connection three times removed to Rome, I want it.

So when I saw “Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors and Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City,” I about fell out of my chair.

Okay, so first of all…this book is gorgeous. It’s hardbound, rather thick, though perfectly portable, and has illustrations that are to die for. It’s literally lovely from start to finish. And the recipes! I was a little worried that the recipes would be too exotic. Do you ever get cookbooks like that? Where the recipes are so exotic and obscure that you don’t even recognize the ingredients? Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of. But it’s surprisingly not like that, in the least. The recipes are amazing, as well as absolutely delicious. And there are recipes that every member of my picky-eating family really likes.

But I think my very favorite part of the book, is the history. The authors give an in-depth history to each dish, coupled with beautiful photography. It’s like having a native-guide in the kitchen with you, explaining how the dish came to be.

Usually when I receive a cookbook, I look for the quality of the recipes of course, as well as the quality of the photography. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover the rich writing and history included in this lovely book.

Bottom Line: Get yourself a taste of Rome, and daydream away.

**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.