Recipes and Dreams from an Italian Life

Hundreds of cookbooks are published each year but only a handful of them truly transport the reader into another time and place. Here Kiros (Falling Cloudberries) does just that, whisking readers off to Italy, where they're welcomed into the kitchens of a number of Italian matriarchs to discuss life, love, and cooking. Tips on caring for linens, keeping weeds away from potted plants, and preventing hiccups are interspersed with reliable, mouth-watering recipes for Spaghetti with Lentil Ragu; Sicilian Pasta Al Forno; Risotto with Shrimp, Lavender and Lemon; Perch with Lemon, Capers, Green Olive Mashed Potatoes; and Raspberry Caramel Patries with Cr%C3%A8me Fraiche. Kiros's matriarchs also provide guidance on staples like homemade spinach tagliatelle, orange marmalade, and limoncello, turning what could have been a rote recitation into a keepsake that is likely to become dog-eared sooner than readers would prefer. Those looking for reliable, time-tested recipes for the classics will find this to be a treasure trove. Kiros has created the literary equivalent of an exuberant Italian mother-in-law, and though it's sure to find a welcome place on many a bookshelf, it won't likely remain shelved for long. Color photos. (Apr.)