From the rugged Alpine mountains to the glistening shores of the Amalfi
Coast, Appetito paints a vivid portrait of a country rich in passion, tradition,
and simply good food. Weaving colourful food stories with heartfelt
anecdotes over 50 recipes, Alison Ranwell welcomes readers into her Italian
family kitchen in this delightful debut.
After living in Italy for 20 years, Alison moved back to the UK with her
husband, Francesco, and their daughters, but was eager to bring a little
taste of Italia to the Midlands. Inspired to share her mother-in-law’s
lasagne, Alison launched Italian food business Mangia Mangia in 2021.
Whether enjoyed at one of their Italian Extravaganza evenings or chosen
by hungry eyes at their market stall, Mangia Mangia’s dishes continue to
provide the authentic feel and flavour of Italian home cooking.
Appetito brings together her family’s favourites in one essential collection,
from Lemon Pesto to Autumnal Pumpkin Lasagna, right up to a scoop
of Amaretti Tiramisù for dessert. In a celebration of traditional Italian
cooking, Alison’s recipes combine minimal, good quality ingredients to
create stunningly simple antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, and dolci. Every
delicious course is covered, and readers are encouraged to follow the
seasons, plucking wild herbs for a creamy risotto one day, and carefully
selecting the ripest Italian tomatoes for a Tuscan Bruschetta the next.
Told through generous glugs of olive oil, the click of Alison’s camera, and
the joyous clinking of glasses, Appetito is more than just a cookbook: it’s
an intimate collection of photography and memories that beckons readers
into the warm glow of a lazy Italian afternoon. With a glass of wine in hand,
keep your ear bent to the breeze, or else you might miss Nonna Lili calling:
“E’ pronto! Mangia, mangia!” – It’s ready! Eat up, eat up