On Top of Spaghetti..., Cookbook of the Day

by Nicole Weston, Posted Dec 8th 2006 @ 7:57AM

The authors of On Top of Spaghetti...: ...Macaroni, Linguine, Penne, and Pasta of Every Kind own the restaurant Al Forno in Providence, RI, which specializes in exceptional pastas and Italian food. The book is a compilation of some of those pasta dishes from the restaurant alongside some at-home and after-hours favorites of the chefs - chefs who are definitely on top when it comes to making great spaghetti (linguini, etc.). There is a wealth of knowledge in the book that will benefit the home chef. For example, they go into great detail about how to tell when pasta is actually "al dente," since it is a mark that tends to be under- or overshot frequently. They also give detailed descriptions of common ingredients - from parmesan to prosciutto - how to use them and how to make sure you're getting the best. in some cases, the best way may be to make up a batch yourself. Case in point, there is a recipe for homemade ricotta cheese that is surprisingly accessible. In fact, all of the recipes are very approachable for the home chef, who will be helped along with lots of tips and flavor-boosting shortcuts that are sprinkled throughout. They will even be useful even if you want to improve a jarred sauce on a really busy weeknight. There are classic sauce+pasta combinations, as well as recipes for baked pasta dishes, such as Ricotta Ravioli, Saffron-Sauced Pasta and Osso Buco, Spaghetti with Fresh Spinach and Gorgonzola and Penne with Fresh Artichokes.