The Tucci Table (Stanley Tucci)

Stanley Tucci -- not the most popular actor in the world, but you've definitely seen him in lots of places.  He stole every scene he was in in The Devil Wears Prada (with Meryl Streep no less) and was Streep's equal partner in Julie & Julia.  Now he has brought his Italian heritage to all of us with The Tucci Table, a cookbook that will certainly get well used in my kitchen.

The Tucci Table is filled with delicious recipes, colorful pictures, and timeless family stories.  He combines wonderful Italian dishes from his heritage with British recipes from his wife, all guaranteed to bring the family around the table. From Tuscan Tomato Soup to Fish and Chips to Beef Wellington to Raspberry Ripple Lemon Cake, there is something for everyone's palate in The Tucci Table.

In this rush-rush world where getting everyone together for dinner is often a fantasy, it's so nice that Stanley Tucci is still trying to make it a reality.

MY RATING - 4

Giada's Feel Good Food (Giada De Laurentiis)

Giada De Laurentiis has certainly proven herself time and time again as a food force to be reckoned with. Between her many appearances on the TV circuit, her regular shows on the Food Network, and her many bestselling cookbooks, she's gained and earned a very loyal following.  In fact, my husband has stated that Giada’s Short Ribs with Tagliatelle would be his pick for last meal if ever he needs one. However, as she is a proud Italian, she covers many of her dishes with rich sauces and fills them with fatty cheeses. 

In Giada’s Feel Good Food, she turns the tables around, putting it out there that you can't eat these fatty dishes all the time and still expect to stay trim. While everything is fine in moderation, sometimes you just need to take care of your body by eating right. The book is filled with those recipes that she feeds herself and her family (including dessert), with little vignettes interspersed along the way about when she usually cooks them. She also puts in pages about how she packs when she travels, how she takes care of her skin and hair, and what she eats when she needs a sweet treat.

I always keep many of Giada's cookbooks on the counter, and this one will be no exception. The only nitpick I have is that I wish pictures were included for all the recipes because I always need to see what the finished product looks like. However, I realize space in these books is at a premium. All in all, I would definitely recommend Giada's Feel Good Food and look forward to making many dishes from it.

MY RATING - 4