A cookbook with authentic quick recipes and great basic tips and background knowledge. With a very colorful and funny presentation.

I absolutely love Italian food, sand was really excited when I saw the title of this book. Each recipe has clear, concise step by step instructions to guide you through. They don’t need too many ingredients, are easily achievable in your own kitchen, and there’s a wide variety to suit all tastes. This recipe book is simple, and delicious - what more could you want?

Thank you to the publisher, and Netgalley for an eARC of this book to read and review

I’m going to be in the minority here. I did not like this book at all. It was trying wayyyy too hard for me. The recipes were mid at best. It just wasn’t for me at all. Maybe I’m too old.

Why was this so entertaining? I can’t speak to the recipes, but as someone who loves cookbooks as books, this was a rollicking good time.

I have been living in Paris for 6 years now, during the Covid years I remember that the group had shared on their social media some recipes that were quite easy to make at home, and comforting. It became a ritual to make their tiramisu for special occasions!
This book gather some quick easy recipe, that just never disappoints!
Big mamma but make it cosier !

This is a lovely collection of quintessential Italian recipes. From pasta to your classic tiramisu, these rich recipes have you covered.

This cookbook is trying too hard to be cool and hip, but it fails to engage the reader. The recipes seem great, except there are only classic Italian recipes that you can find one click-distance away on the web. There's nothing personal in this book nor is there an unique voice throughout the book.

Also, it's way easier to cut your finger with a mandolin than with a knife, guys!

Proving you can go wrong with something that should be at least brilliant, this is an attempt at an Italian cookbook with great reach. But it's a jumble of messy layout, "capische" dual-language interruptions, and plain idiocy (use a mandolin to save time and prevent you cutting a finger on a knife – don't you know the damage a mandolin can do?!). At least the visuals of the cooks aren't the usual studied portraits – no, here this is apparently the result of a huge collective of creators, and so we get a more gonzo cut-out feel, which only adds to the annoyance. As does a range of edible home decors that would need to be seen to be believed.

Just take the first recipe – basically, how to cut a croissant open and put some things inside. We have a headline, then the actual concept or title, then the serving (per x amici – gah!), then in between two hard lines the actual guide about what to do – followed by not one but two tip sections. None of it is laid out to catch the eye on the relevant bits, either – it's thrown on the page. Two recipes down and it's time to learn how to actually measure things – thanks.

Annoyingly, some of the dishes can only be wonderful. Annoyingly, when the headline is what the Italians would call the dish we can see where we are, and so much better than we can when presented with some stupid, vaguely smutty pun. And annoyingly the basics, like pasta dough, pesto and so on, and the glossary, are right at the end. Seeing this was originally a French book you can't help but think they were trying to sabotage their rival cuisine.

This wants to be a new kind of Italian cooking, featuring the classics but with an eye to quirking things up now and again (or was that opinion just the result of the stupid punning titles?). I'd suggest they go back to the chopping board, and learn to do the tried and trusted things well first, before getting tricksy and unedifying such as some of the pages are. I was left with some intrigue about how a few dishes would taste (a red wine and sausage risotto, principally) but with no inclination to get on board with this cockamamie effort. Instead the 300pp seemed to portray the world's biggest souffle sag – an ugly result of something so appealing and potentially delicious.

"Big Mamma Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes" is more than just a cookbook—it's like having a lively Italian friend guiding you through the kitchen. The book's design is a breath of fresh air, making cooking feel like a fun adventure rather than a chore.

While I had to get a bit creative with some ingredients that weren't readily available, the recipes still turned out great. Admittedly, some dishes took me a tad longer than 30 minutes, but hey, who's counting when you're having fun in the kitchen?

Overall, this book is a winner for its approachable recipes and cheerful vibe. It's definitely earned its spot on my kitchen shelf, ready to add a touch of Italian flair to my meals. Many thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Copy—I'm grateful for the chance to discover this culinary gem and share my thoughts.

This might be the friendliest cookbook I've ever seen. Filled with practical advice, there are tons of easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by bright, colorful pictures. There is a lot of practical advice too: what items should every Italian kitchen have? What are the most important Italian movies? And other fun bits of advice to make you feel more Italian.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

So much fun!!! I have read so many cookbooks that not much seems new but this format really brought the originality! From punny recipe names to colorful fun photos, to movie recommendations and cool facts about Italy, this is so much more engaging than a traditional cookbook. The recipes are accessible but not without flavor complexity and the added bonus recipes really take it up a notch. I love when something familiar is kicked up for originality (and done right), and Big Mamma knocks it out of the park!

This recipe book was a must-read for me, having moved to Italy and loving (most) Italian food, and it's definitely an amazing one. There are SO many recipes in here! It was way longer than I was expecting, with the recipes helpfully broken up into groups with contents pages at each section to easily find recipes without having to flick through too much. There's also an ingredient index at the back so if you know you want a recipe with artichoke you can easily find your options!
Interspersed throughout the recipes were cool pages of other facts and things, like a page on the top 10 cheeses, or a page of 9 cool facts about Italy, Italian music and film suggestions and so on. There were also some extra mini bonus recipe-type things, not part of the 30 minute recipes but if you want to know how to make your own limoncello (that will take you a month) you can certainly do that. The writing was funny and made it an interesting read and the recipes all had a photo of how delicious the food will look! I've already added one of them to our meal plan for next week! One of the easier ones to ease me into though of course. Fingers crossed it goes well!

An ode to Italian culture, this cookbook is fun and fast-paced, and you will find yourself rushing through the little notes at the bottom to have a good smile.
The idea of this cookbook is to prepare quick, delicious, and not pretentious, Italian food. I don't know why there were so many photos of the cooks involved in making this book in bath scenes with food instead of water, but sure, why not, as long as the dish is good at the end...
Those were not as fast recipes as I thought I would find, nor necessarily as easy, but they are definitely all looking delicious (though be warned, dieting is certainly not an option in this book!)

Book Review: Big Mamma Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes: Shower Time Included

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Big Mamma's cookbook, "Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes: Shower Time Included," is a delightful culinary journey that brings a touch of Italian flair to your kitchen. Authored by Big Mamma, a collective of two Frenchmen and a legion of Italians, this book is a treasure trove of 100 mouthwatering recipes that are as delightful to read as they are to cook.

From the moment you flip open the pages, you are greeted with a feast for the eyes - vibrant, cheeky photographs that set the tone for the culinary adventure that awaits. The recipes are not just delicious, but they come with playful names like "Bunny & Clyde" and "No Fig Deal," adding a whimsical touch that makes cooking even more enjoyable.

What sets this cookbook apart is its accessibility. The recipes are classic yet straightforward, making them perfect for cooks of all levels. Whether you are a seasoned chef looking to whip up a quick meal for unexpected guests or a novice trying your hand at Italian cuisine, Big Mamma's recipes are easy to follow and guarantee delicious results.

One of the notable features included is the "A Minute To Spare" sections, which offer handy tips, tricks, and anecdotes from the Italian team. These nuggets of wisdom not only enhance your cooking skills but also provide a glimpse into the heart and soul of Italian culinary tradition.

Personal favorites from the book include the delectable "Focaccia Di Follia" and the mouthwatering "Pizza Mozzabella," both of which were met with rave reviews from my family. The variety of recipes, from Breaded ‘Burratina Turner’ Burrata to Tartufini Al Limoncello, ensures there is something for every palate and occasion.

In conclusion, "Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes: Shower Time Included" is a must-have addition to any kitchen. Whether you are looking to impress guests or simply treat your family to a delicious meal, this cookbook provides the perfect blend of fun, flavor, and Italian charm. It's a book that will have you reaching for it again and again, and it makes for an excellent gift for any cooking enthusiast. So grab a glass of wine, turn the pages, and let Big Mamma guide you on a culinary adventure that is sure to delight your taste buds.

Andiamo! 🍝🇮🇹

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Big Mamma Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes: Shower Time Included, by Big Mamma, which is a family of restaurants mostly in foreign countries, which was started by Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux. This excellent cookbook is filled with mouthwatering recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes. It is colorful and full of humor, including clever names for many of the yummy recipes such as Burratina Turner, Britney Spearagus, John Bon Chovy, and others.

This is a very fun cookbook and is filled with luscious recipes for not only familiar Italian dishes, but also many that are not so well-known but are definitely worth making. The cookbook includes lots of trivia about Italian things, such as pronunciation of Italian ingredients, Italian movies to watch, Measurements for Dummies, Ten Ultimate Italian Cheeses, Italian Products you should Always Have in your Cupboard. The most important part of the cookbook, however, is the variety of recipes that most cooks will absolutely want to make at home. Most call for easy-to-find ingredients, and most can be prepared in 30 minutes. The recipes are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions, making them easy to make for both beginning and advanced cooks. There are also beautiful, professional photographs of most of the dishes, which will make anyone’s “must make this week” queue (mine will take a month or two).

All told, this is an excellent cookbook, and it is very fun to read. Readers will want to start cooking after the first chapter and those who are lucky enough to sample the dishes will swoon.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This is a really lovely book, full of humour, tips, ideas and great pictures of the dishes and of the team.

Created by the Big Mamma group of restaurants, the book covers all chapter of the Italian menu: aperitivo, antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, pizze, dolci and a number of basics like pesto, fresh pasta and more.

The recipes have original names and are mouth watering, very clearly explained and designed to be made in 30 minutes. As if to challenge the readers to keep within this time, there is always a little add on about what you can do with the spare time. A lot of attention is devoted to the ingredients as the Italians are so careful about the choices they make in this respect. The authors give many tips about how to choose your ingredients and about cooking techniques.

And beyond the recipes, the book also shares many entertaining tips and information about the Italian culture and foods: Italian cheeses, films, how to choose a good parmigiano, wines, seasonal ingredients, Italian songs to round off the evening and many more.

I also liked the Index which offers a list of recipes by chapter of the menu, and by ingredients. This makes it a lot easier to find your way through the book.

A really nice book, full of energy and humour, and many recipes that will find their way onto my plate very soon.

This cookbook comes from the Big Mamma group of restaurants in Europe, and as might be expected from a restaurant cookbook, it’s a bit irreverent and very chef-y. There are a ton of great tips for home cooks, and a lot of delicious-looking recipes.

Oftentimes when a cookbook boasts 30-minute recipes as its main premise, the implication is that it’s full of recipes that are great for everyday, just-got-home-from-work-and-now-I-need-to-feed-my-family meals. This cookbook is not that. Although some might make for good dinners, the majority are recipes that would fit in better at a dinner party or weekend gathering - not so practical for the everyday.

The 30-minute premise is a bit questionable. Many of the recipes appear to rely upon having some components premade, or require you to have the skills of a chef in order to make it within a 30-minute timeframe.

That said, everything looks delicious, and those familiar with the Big Mamma family of restaurants might be even more inclined to try some of these recipes.

"The reason why Italians are so expressive with their hands can be traced back to the country's repeated historical invasions. As the changes in languages were difficult to assimilate to, people grew used to 'speaking' with their hands to make themselves understood. Even today, there are still over 35 different dialects spoken across The Boot. So, here's a trick, the best way to make an Italian shut up is by tying their hands!"

"Big Mama" is a cheeky and fun cookbook that acts as an emergency kit for when you have guests coming over impromptu in 30 minutes and need to cook up something quick. Ranging from simple marinated olives to tiramisu where everything - yes, even the lady finders - are made from scratch, it'll suit different skill levels.

The quirkiness is everywhere, from the cover (I was personally very pleased to learn the artist behind it is Lithuanian!), to the bathroom-filled-with-food photo motifs, to the text itself. Each recipe comes with a nice tip, ranging from how you should serve your table to reminding you to text your friends back (text your friend back, by the way), adding liveliness to it. In between some recipes you'll also find fun facts about Italy, tips for choosing wines and cheeses, and quick ideas for cocktails and seasonings. The vibe might not be for everyone but it's an overall useful cookbook for practical, hearty, delicious recipes.

Fun, authentic Italian recipes that are beginner friendly, and ready in 30 minutes or less. A fun read, with gorgeous pictures and humor on each page!

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion | White Lion Publishing for the ARC!

I am a big fan of the Big Mamma group having eaten at all of their London restaurants and was very excited to read their cook book.
The book is fun, informative and easy to follow but I was slightly disappointed in the recipes (asparagus with parmesan is hardly a recipe!!) as there wasn't anything new. If you already have an Italian recipe book then the chances are you will already have the recipes.

But, it this is your first Italian recipe book or you are looking for a fun present for someone I would recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read Big Mamma Italian Recipes in 30 Minutes.