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🌍 Regional & Cultural

Cooked to Perfection

✍️ Corella, Phyllis P
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$25.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of refined home-cooked Italian-American recipes tested over thirty-four years.

The authors utilize their background in East Harlem to create a practical guide for everyday cooking. They focus on accessible techniques that allow readers to prepare complex items like manicotti and cream puffs without difficulty. The inclusion of specific treats such as zeppole and crumb cake demonstrates a commitment to preserving festive foods alongside regular meals. Their approach relies on fresh ingredients rather than specialized equipment, making the content suitable for those seeking straightforward instructions. The text avoids unnecessary complexity, ensuring that both experienced cooks and beginners can follow along with confidence.

Key Themes
Italian feasts chocolier recipes crumb cake
Literary Context

The Corellas were born in East Harlem and raised when households used iceboxes for cold storage. Their work reflects a time when families shopped daily for fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. This background informs their emphasis on fresh ingredients and traditional Italian-American home cooking styles.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Marcella Hazan · The Joy of Cooking · Italian-American Home Cooking
🌍
Regional & Cultural
🏛 iUniverse 📅 2003 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780595655281

📝 Description: Cooked to Perfection

Andrew and Phyllis Corella bring their thirty-four years of testing and refining home-cooked recipes to Cooked to Perfection. Born in East Harlem and raised during the era of iceboxes, they draw on family traditions where daily shopping for fresh produce and meats was standard practice. The book presents new twists on old family recipes, emphasizing fresh ingredients and time-saving tips. It covers a range of dishes from weekly menu staples to annual preparations, all designed for easy execution. The collection includes eclectic items such as zeppole found at Italian feasts, crispy Italian bread, light manicotti, and delicate cream puffs. Chocolate enthusiasts will find decadent chocolatier recipes, including the authors' celebrated chocolate ice cream and a crumb cake featuring giant crumbs. Written in plain language, the text aims to appeal to both gourmets and novice cooks. The Corellas, who entertain frequently, share these dishes to highlight the joy of simple, well-prepared food rooted in their New York upbringing.

💎 Expert review

“
🍳
Eatbook Family editorial team
Cookbook desk
The book excels at demystifying complex items like manicotti and cream puffs through clear, tested instructions. It successfully balances festive treats with regular meals, relying on fresh ingredients rather than expensive tools. However, it will not suit readers seeking modern fusion cuisine, gourmet plating techniques, or quick thirty-minute weeknight dinners. Those looking for advanced culinary theory or minimalist aesthetics may find the approach too traditional and detailed for their tastes.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Eatbook Family —
⭐ eatbookfamily.com editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5
★★★★★
Home cooks seeking straightforward Italian-American dishes without specialized equipment. Ideal for beginners or experienced chefs wanting accessible techniques for festive treats and daily meals using fresh ingredients in a standard kitchen.

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Eatbook Family editorial team

The book excels at demystifying complex items like manicotti and cream puffs through clear, tested instructions. It successfully balances festive treats with regular meals, relying on fresh ingredients rather than expensive tools. However, it will not suit readers seeking modern fusion cuisine, gourmet plating techniques, or quick thirty-minute weeknight dinners. Those looking for advanced culinary theory or minimalist aesthetics may find the approach too traditional and detailed for their tastes.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, the text relies on fresh ingredients rather than specialized equipment, making it suitable for standard home kitchens.
188 pages, hardcover.
Published in 2003 by iUniverse.
Orders ship from a US warehouse. The shipping cost is shown before you pay, and returns are accepted within 30 days.

📖 Who should read this

Home cooks seeking straightforward Italian-American dishes without specialized equipment. Ideal for beginners or experienced chefs wanting accessible techniques for festive treats and daily meals using fresh ingredients in a standard kitchen.

📜 Historical context

This hardcover volume joins the tradition of practical regional guides by focusing on East Harlem influences. It emphasizes everyday cooking over complex culinary theory, aligning with early 2000s trends that prioritized accessible, tested recipes for home kitchens rather than professional gastronomy or exotic international exploration.

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