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Antonio Carluccio – 100 Pasta Recipes

He is one of the world’s most respected authorities on Italy's great food. He has written more than a dozen bestselling books and has also made numerous television programmes, including Two Greedy Italians which he made with the lovably cheeky Gennaro Contaldo.

Antonio ran the Neal Street Restaurant in London's Covent Garden and spent 10 years developing Carluccio's Cafés. In 1998 Antonio was awarded the Commendatore Award, Italy’s equivalent of a knighthood, for his contribution to the Italian food industry; and in 2007 he received the OBE from Britain.

What’s the first dish that comes to mind when we think of Italian food? Pasta. But it’s not a dish, it’s more of an ingredient, and an indispensible part of any Italian repertoire. You will be relieved to learn that it’s OK to buy pasta, either fresh or dried. If you are taking the dehydrated option then be sure that you buy the best quality. All my Italian friends use dry pasta so I feel no shame in doing the same; however, there is a recipe for pasta dough for those who are looking for a project rather than a speedy meal.

Antonio Carluccio’s 100 Pasta Recipes does indeed offer some very fast sauces that will enable you to have dinner on the table in the time it takes the pasta to become al dente. Spaghetti Carbonara – coalman’s spaghetti – is a classic in restaurants as well as in homes. Antonio offers the reader an authentic recipe which uses no cream. Its richness comes from both eggs and cheese. I think generous grindings of pepper are key here.
Italians are romantics and they seem to have a habit of naming food after occupations. We can’t find the same on British menus. No sign of chiropodist’s casserole and there probably never will be a postal worker’s pasty. Not only does Antonio include the coalman’s pasta of choice but he also offers Pasta alla Carrettiera – Cart-driver’s Spaghetti. It’s a tuna-based sauce and worthy of the most cultivated of manual workers, who seem to eat very well in Italy.

A hearty and economic dinner that even the kids will love is Penne Rigate with Sausage. Once again it’s the quality of ingredients that’s the most important element. Look for pure meat sausages that are well seasoned. The family will be sitting down to this winter warmer just 20 minutes after the pasta water comes to the boil.
There are a few non-pasta dishes here. Summer Bread Salad makes a cool and light starter for those delightful al fresco meals that we enjoy all summer long in the UK. OK, so that’s a bit of poetic licence, but this is truly a simple stunner and is also a marvellous side dish for grilled fish or your regular roast chicken. You’ll feel you have spent Sunday in the south of Italy.

Antonio Carluccio – 100 Pasta Recipes is full of easy dishes that will be enjoyed by your family during the week, when time is short. There are others that will impress your friends, whom you will be able to entertain without the need to take out a bank loan. There are some familiar dishes but more that will be new to most non-Italians. Another practical cookbook from this charming man.

Cookbook review: 100 Pasta Recipes
Author: Antonio Carluccio
Published by: Ebury Publishing
Price: £7.99
ISBN 978-1-84-990148-2