In today's fast-paced world, the dinner choice for many is something from the nearest fast food
restaurant. Fortunately for us, Tony Casillo wanted better for his daughters. Casillo wrote
Tony Casillo's Family Cookbook: A Treasure Trove of Recipes and Cooking Advice From a Dad to His
Daughters as a gift for his girls, to remind them how quick and easy it can be to prepare "decent,
wholesome food."
Casillo's family emigrated to America from Italy when he was 12 years old, so the dishes are
predominantly Italian. There are recipes for tasty, simple dishes like Bruschetta, Spaghetti with
Garlic and Oil, Beef with Tomatoes, Gina's Salmon Parcels, Grandma Casillo's Zucchini, Brown Sugar
Potatoes and Almond Biscotti. Osso Buco, Gina's Roast Pork with Mushrooms and Marsala, Lamb Ambruzzi
Style, Elegant Livorno Fish Stew, Artichokes Roman Style and Neopolitan Ricotta Pie are some of the
more elegant dishes which are perfectly suited for family celebrations. Of course, there are also
recipes for great Italian classics such as Antipasto, Risotto, Lasagne, Flour Gnocchi and Zabaglione.
Part of the appeal of Tony Casillo's Family Cookbook is Casillo's relaxed attitude toward
cooking. In the notes accompanying a recipe for Chicken Cacciatore, Casillo writes "if you don't
like anchovies, leave them out...If you don't like olives, leave those out as well." There are
variations listed for many of the recipes; eight variations are provided for Crushed Tomato
Sauce alone. Casillo even includes a "basic formula for vegetable soup, so you can make your own
creations." What truly makes this book a treasure, however, are the many old family photos and
anecdotes sprinkled throughout the pages.
The recipes are easy to follow and Casillo's fatherly advice regarding ingredient selection and
preparation is always helpful. With its emphasis on enjoying good meals as part of our everyday
lives, Tony Casillo's Family Cookbook is an excellent cookbook for novices and advanced cooks
alike.
