Food & Other Things I Love: More than 100 Italian American Recipes from My Family to Yours

by Caroline Manzo, Casey Elsass, Lauren Volo (Photographer)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

New Jersey Italian is a brand of cooking that Caroline Manzo knows, and she's here to share that and so much more in this family-centric cookbook.

Beloved Bravo TV food personality Caroline Manzo invites you to come over, pull up a chair, and fill your belly with recipes inspired by her delicious family meals, done the New Jersey way.

From her star turn on the hit series The Real Housewives of New Jersey to her family spin-off Manzo’d with Children, Caroline Manzo has long been a fan favorite. Here, for the very first time, Caroline shares her kitchen secrets in an abundant cookbook filled with over 100 recipes, including:

• Ready-in-a-snap breakfasts like Baking Dish Frittata and Crab Cake Benedict
• Lazy summertime lunches like her tried-and-true Down the Shore Smothered Corn Cobs
• Warm and cozy meal staples like Roasted Red Peppers and Italian Wedding Soup
• Late-night munchies such as Homemade Truffle Popcorn and Adult Root Beer Floats
• Italian American classics done Caroline’s way, like her famous Taylor Ham (not to be confused with pork roll) & Cheese Sandwich, Slow-Braised Braciole, Deep Dark Chocolate Pudding Cake, and, of course, Sunday Gravy

 
Along the way, Caroline shares entertaining behind-the-scenes stories and helpful tips and tricks to making your kitchen, and home, a place for getting the most from what’s on hand, embracing the messy side of life, and celebrating all things big and small. 

Full of wisdom, humor, and hard-earned lessons in the kitchen, Food & Other Things I Love encourages you to share this food with those you love and build your own memories, meals, and magic. 

HIGHLY COOKABLE RECIPES: The recipes in this book are like a warm hug from a loving relative. Caroline's tips, tricks, and encouraging voice make the already simple, belly-filling recipes easy enough for even novice cooks.

AUTHENTIC VOICE IN ITALIAN COOKING: Caroline’s motherly aura and strong moral compass have made her a favorite among the Bravo audience with an ever-growing fan base. Caroline wears multiple hats as a wife, mother, sister, friend, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and food and lifestyle expert, all while staying grounded in her values and putting her family first. She has become a go-to for advice and inspiration on everything from pets to parenting and, most of all, cooking.

TIME-TESTED ADVICE: In between the delicious, comforting recipes are lots of homespun tips and tricks that Caroline has learned over the years, like how to cook for a crowd, how to set a beautiful table, and the importance of celebrating every occasion and every moment with love. 

Perfect for:

• Fans of Caroline Manzo and the Real Housewives series
• Anyone interested in Italian and Italian American cooking 
• Beginner cooks looking for easy homestyle recipes and practical cooking advice 
• Lovers of big, comforting cookbooks with a whole lot of heart
• Watchers of Food Network, HGTV, Today, and Magnolia Network 
• Gift-giving for housewarming, graduation, wedding, birthday, and holidays

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781797225258
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	56,762
Product dimensions:	7.25(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Caroline Manzo is best known as the levelheaded voice of reason on Bravo TV’s hit series The Real Housewives of New Jersey and her family spin-off Manzo’d with Children. Caroline’s motherly aura and strong moral compass have made her a favorite among the Bravo TV audience. Born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, and Jersey to her core, Caroline is the epitome of a strong Italian American matriarch: feisty, hilarious, full of love, and always ready with a stocked fridge. Married to her husband, Albert, for almost forty years, she is the mother of three children—Albie, Lauren, and Christopher—and a loving grandmother to her granddaughter, Markie.

Editorial Reviews

"[Caroline's] fierce commitment to those closest to her and her approach to Italian American food are clearly evident in her first cookbook, which may have readers hoping to get a spot at her table."—Library Journal

From the Publisher

08/01/2024

Cooking for family and friends has always defined Manzo, one of the original cast members of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New Jersey reality TV show. Her fierce commitment to those closest to her and her approach to Italian American food are clearly evident in her first cookbook, which may have readers hoping to get a spot at her table. The book is laid out in clear sections that include recommended pantry staples and tools, holiday feasts, late-night treats, and simple desserts. Each recipe is accompanied by a personal comment explaining its history, origin, or familial connection. Every dish is described in easy-to-read steps using readily available ingredients while offering advice on substitutions and scaling up to feed a larger crowd. Manzo's personality and dedication to pleasing everyone at her table are evident through her approaches to traditional fare, including eggplant Parmesan, braciole, and Sunday gravy. Additionally, the guidance for setting a table for dinner or a buffet includes many snackable treats, including aioli, tapenade, and confit, to help hosts prepare for intimate gatherings or a crowded holiday feast. VERDICT A definite winner for those seeking an introduction to Italian American cuisine and for fans of the author.—Ron Block

Library Journal