Sweet Myrtle and Bitter Honey: The Mediterranean Flavors of Sardinia

by Efisio Farris

Sardinia now rivals its northern neighbor Provence as a vacation destination. The coastline lures visitors, but it is the food that will make you linger. Chef Efisio Farris is poised to become the next great ambassador of Italian regional cuisine. To promote the cooking of his native Sardinia, he has appeared on the Food Network, given demonstrations at food festivals across the country, and even launched his own company that imports Sardinian specialties for his restaurants and for retail. It is Mediterranean cooking at its purest, making liberal use of olive oil, fish, and fresh vegetables. But it’s also distinguished by indigenous ingredients that are becoming hot trends in America: pecorino, flatbread, fava beans, fregula, and bottarga. Farris has pulled together more than one hundred recipes–many of them family secrets. Among them are Watermelon Salad with Arugula and Ricotta Salata; Pannacotta with Bitter Honey; and Bruschetta with Sausage and Pecorino Sardo. More than 150 breathtaking images take you on a tour of the countryside–from the terraced olive groves to the riverbanks full of wild asparagus. In sidebars, the author relates charming anecdotes and Sardinian history. Readers will come away not just with a taste for the island’s flavors but also a sense of Sardinia’s magical beauty and culture.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2007

Reviews

[Carm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cookbook that is also a way to learn more about the country. A enjoyable read. Those who grew up in Italian families will relate to description of life here and the simpler easygoing cooking. The section on why history matters is a lovely and memorable read about the author's family history and is not often seen in cookbooks. The passion of Efisio Farris is readily apparent.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in preparation for a trip to Sardinia. I made a list of foods to look for (as wellas a few to avoid!). Photographs of the landscape, inside stories of traditional festivals, and personal memories combine in a deeply felt book that would be perfect for the armchair traveler, too.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this is a library book, it has to go back but oh what a delight it was. The author's love for his home of Sardinia is palpable. Yes, I do want to visit!