Cider - Shop now
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Silver Spoon (Traditional Italian Home Cooking Recipes) Hardcover – October 24, 2011

4.7 out of 5 stars 1,470 ratings

"

"The quintessential cookbook." – USA Today

The Silver Spoon, the most influential and bestselling Italian cookbook of the last 50 years, is now available in a new updated and revised edition. This bible of authentic Italian home cooking features over 2,000 revised recipes and is illustrated with 400 brand new, full‐color photographs. A comprehensive and lively book, its uniquely stylish and user‐friendly format makes it accessible and a pleasure to read. The new updated edition features new introductory material covering such topics as how to compose a traditional Italian meal, typical food traditions of the different regions, and how to set an Italian table. It also contains a new section of menus by celebrity chefs cooking traditional Italian food including Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, Tony Mantuano, and Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone.

Il Cucchiaio d’Argento was originally published in Italy in 1950 by the famous Italian design and architectural magazine Domus, and became an instant classic. A select group of cooking experts were commissioned to collect hundreds of traditional Italian home cooking recipes and make them available for the first time to a wider modern audience. In the process, they updated ingredients, quantities and methods to suit contemporary tastes and customs, at the same time preserving the memory of ancient recipes for future generations.

Divided into eleven color‐coded chapters by course, The Silver Spoon is a feat of design as well as content. Chapters include: Sauces, Marinades and Flavored Butters, Antipasti, Appetizers and Pizzas, First Courses, Eggs, Vegetles, Fish and Shellfish, Meat, Poultry, Game, Cheese, and Desserts. It covers everything from coveted authentic sauces and marinades to irresistible dishes such as Penne Rigate with Artichokes, Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi, Tuscan Minestrone, Meatballs in Brandy, Bresaola with Corn Salad, Pizza Napoletana, Fried Mozzarella Sandwiches and Carpaccio Cipriani.

"
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

From the Publisher

silver spoon, cucchiaio d'argento, phaidon, italian food, italy, tiramisu, pizza, pasta

What the Chefs Say

Giorgio Locatelli: ‘Throughout the years, I have seen chefs in many different kitchens refer to all types of cookery books. But The Silver Spoon is the only book that made it to my Mum’s kitchen. Most Italians consider this book their ‘Bible’ on home cookery’.

Angela Hartnett: ‘The Silver Spoon was the first Italian cookery book I ever bought. It is an excellent reference for classical Italian recipes and I’m delighted that at last it is being translated into English.’

Gordon Ramsay: ‘The Silver Spoon is an amazing encyclopedia of Italian food – comprehensive and inspiring.’

Stefano de Pieri: ‘The Silver Spoon is an Italian classic that you can never get enough of, it represents the soul of Italian cookery.’

Stefano Manfredi: ‘Every cook who loves Italian food should have The Silver Spoon in their library. Not only is it indispensable as a recipe reference, but also as a source of inspiration.’

italian food, italian, italy, silver spoon, phaidon

Orecchiette with Broccoli

Serves 4

Preparation: 45 min

Cooking: 15 min

Cook the broccoli in salted, boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain.

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the garlic and chilli and cook for 3 minutes, then add the broccoli and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, cook the orecchiette in a large pan of salted, boiling water for 10 minutes until al dente, then drain and toss with the broccoli. Serve with Parmesan or pecorino.

Alternatively, the broccoli may be cooked with the orecchiette. In this case, drain everything, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with grated pecorino.

Ingredients

  • 800 g/13⁄4 lb broccoli, cut into florets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 fresh chilli, de-seeded and chopped
  • 300 g/11 oz orecchiette
  • salt
  • Parmesan or pecorino cheese, freshly grated, to serve

The only resource for traditional Italian home cooking

silver spoon, cucchiaio d'argento, phaidon, italian food, italy, tiramisu, pizza, pasta

Includes over 2,000 authentic Italian recipes

"It’s not so much one more Italian cookbook as the one-volume encyclopedia of Italian home cookery. Lavish illustrations, a helpful glossary of cooking terms and a translation geared to the intelligent layout make The Silver Spoon both pleasant browsing and an accessible manual in the kitchen." —The Wall Street Journal

silver spoon, cucchiaio d'argento, phaidon, italian food, italy, tiramisu, pizza, pasta

Recipes handed down through generations

The skills of Italian cooking are handed down from one generation to the next, and its unique character has come about through centuries of testing in family kitchens.

silver spoon, cucchiaio d'argento, phaidon, italian food, italy, tiramisu, pizza, pasta

User-friendly format

Illustrated with stunning photography, this volume also includes a section of menus by celebrated chefs cooking traditional Italian food.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A seriously comprehensive guide that shows that Italian food is about for more than just pasta and pizza... One for serious Italophiles."—Gordon Ramsey, The Times

"The most successful Italian cookbook of all time."—The Financial Times

"It?s not so much one more Italian cookbook as the one-volume encyclopedia of Italian home cookery. Lavish illustrations, a helpful glossary of cooking terms and a translation geared to the intelligent layout make The Silver Spoon both pleasant browsing and an accessible manual in the kitchen."—The Wall Street Journal

"Big and bountiful, it?s a welcoming jumble of recipes... And by the looks of it, it may give cookbooks by American celebrity chefs a run for their money."—The New York Times Magazine

"A joy to cook from... May well prove to be the only Italian cookery you?ll ever need."—Henrietta Green, Daily Mail

"It's hard to imagine a more comprehensive resource of Italian classics."—Fine Cooking Magazine

"Accessible and a pleasure to read... When it comes to Italian home cooking, The Silver Spoon serves it up."—Costco Connection

"Italy's version of The Joy of Cooking... Presents lucid recipes for every dish a lover of Italian food could wish for - more than 2,000 of them."—Bon Appetit

"Without a doubt, this season's one indispensable cookbook is The Silver Spoon... Magnificent."—This Week

"A kitchen essential for anyone with even a passing interest in Italian food... If you're stuck for a Christmas gift idea for the foodie in your life, this is just the thing."—Sunday Business Post Ireland

"The Silver Spoon is as delicious to look at as the recipes inside."—Scotland on Sunday Christmas Guide

"A brilliant source of inspiration."—Delicious

"Time-honoured recipes that make this a one-stop reference book for traditional Italian cooking."—House and Garden

"The ultimate kitchen companion."—Mindfood Magazine

"Strongly recommended for cooks of all stages, culinary school students, and food lovers."—celebrity-books.blogspot.com

"The most exhaustive Italian cookbook in recent memory, this volume offers something for every cook, regardless of their skill level, and deserves to be a fixture in American kitchens."—Publishers Weekly

"We love The Silver Spoon cookbook from the 1950s ? a staple in many Italian food lovers? kitchen."—FamilyCirlcle

"This book is considered something of an authority on Italian cookery and is the bestselling cookery book of all time in its native land... For lovers of Italian cuisine it contains so much to inspire and delight. Well deserving of a coveted space on the kitchen shelf."—Woman's Way (Ireland)

"There's plenty to say about Italian food but very little that hasn't been explored in this vast tome. In essence it defines the ineffable conviviality that gives Italian fare its pizzazz." —Monocle

"...This is a bible for serious Italian chefs, but it's accessible for beginners, too. If ever you're at a loss for what Italian dish to cook, have this book at the ready for endless inspiration."—Forbes Online

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phaidon Press; Updated edition (October 24, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1504 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0714862568
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0714862569
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.85 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 3 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 1,470 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,470 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find this cookbook to be a wonderful tome of great Italian cooking with over 2000 recipes that are well written and straightforward. The book is comprehensive with thorough cooking tutorials and many pictures, and customers appreciate its beautiful presentation and logical organization. They consider it a great gift idea, particularly as a traditional wedding gift, and find the recipes good-tasting.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

94 customers mention "Recipes"89 positive5 negative

Customers love the recipes in this cookbook, describing it as a wonderful tome of great Italian cooking with over 2000 entries that are well written and easy to follow.

"...etc,, but - more important - its spirit is Italian, meaning that it honors simplicity of execution, accessibility of ingredients, vivid delineation..." Read more

"...All the recipes are well-written and have great direction. I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible...." Read more

"...It’s true, most of the recipes are straight forward and clearly written. Maybe 5% of the recipes have photos for reference...." Read more

"...It is an accumulation of knowledge and love for the Italian cuisine over the past soon 67years since its first edition...." Read more

54 customers mention "Information content"43 positive11 negative

Customers appreciate the cookbook's thorough cooking tutorial and comprehensive content, with one customer noting it includes detailed instructions and photographs.

"...- more important - its spirit is Italian, meaning that it honors simplicity of execution, accessibility of ingredients, vivid delineation of flavors..." Read more

"...I’ve spent many hours flipping through the pages of this wonderful resource...." Read more

"...It is an accumulation of knowledge and love for the Italian cuisine over the past soon 67years since its first edition...." Read more

"I bought this in Italy and ordered it in English via Amazon. Its all the basics you need to learn authentic Italian cooking, I would suggest getting..." Read more

21 customers mention "Pictures quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pictures in the cookbook, noting there are many of them, with one customer mentioning that the new edition includes more color photographs.

"...The photography is superb without looking like food porn. The several indexes should be a model for all cookbooks...." Read more

"...I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible...." Read more

"...Great book and has pictures!!" Read more

"...Amazing pictures, which quicken the appetite for the dish. Phaidon cook books are amazing, I have several of them. Love them all." Read more

16 customers mention "Beauty"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the cookbook beautiful, noting that it looks great in their kitchens, with one customer mentioning the nice color photographs.

"...fluffy text, but a huge number of excellent recipes and some nice color photographs. We have made many recipes from this and each is great...." Read more

"This book is simply stunning...." Read more

"...It is a wonderful book, with many beautiful photographs of what the recipe should look like on completion...." Read more

"Gorgeous cookbook, with arresting pictures. Thoughtfully constructed sections with useful background to the dishes...." Read more

16 customers mention "Pacing"16 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, finding it well organized with thoughtfully constructed sections and detailed content.

"...These recipes, by the thousands, are no-fuss, each succinct and clear as a fine Pinot Grigio...." Read more

"...All the recipes are well-written and have great direction. I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible...." Read more

"...This "bible" has its pros and cons for me. Pro, it goes very(!) much into detail of the food itself, as much as the cooking and preparation..." Read more

"Recipes are concise but detailed enough so you can follow...." Read more

15 customers mention "Value for money"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the cookbook offers good value for money.

"...Another big pro is the price! I researched other options in Europe to buy this book. . . no matter where I looked, it was more expensive!..." Read more

"...This cookbook is worth 3-times the asking price. Please do not hesitate to purchase." Read more

"...This really is an all in one and worth the money. A friend of mine suggested it and now I’m suggesting it to you." Read more

"...This is the second version, which is well worth the money in comparison to buying a used first edition...." Read more

12 customers mention "Gift value"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the cookbook makes a great gift, particularly for those who enjoy cooking and traditional wedding presents.

"Looking for a great gift for the family cook? This is it! I’ve spent many hours flipping through the pages of this wonderful resource...." Read more

"I bought this for my boyfriend for Christmas and it was an almost perfect gift...." Read more

"...It has great recipes. Actually, it is a good gift for who like cooking!" Read more

"In Italy, the Silver Spoon (Il Cucchiaio d'Argento) is a traditional wedding gift...." Read more

10 customers mention "Taste"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the taste of the recipes, particularly the appetizers.

"...I love visiting Italy and enjoying the food, and I'm so happy to purchase this book to have a piece of Italy at home." Read more

"...Amazing pictures, which quicken the appetite for the dish. Phaidon cook books are amazing, I have several of them. Love them all." Read more

"I love it. So many yummy recipes. It has everything sauces, marinate, appetizers , desserts substitutions for some ingredients...." Read more

"...new recipes from this book several times a week and it has all been delicious...." Read more

The most beautiful cookbook ever!
5 out of 5 stars
The most beautiful cookbook ever!
The book's quality and how well it's made are unbelievable. It says over 2000 recipes, and I think it is since it is weight-heavy. All the recipes are well-written and have great direction. I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible. I love visiting Italy and enjoying the food, and I'm so happy to purchase this book to have a piece of Italy at home.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
    To call "The Silver Spoon" the best Italian cookbook of all time is to do it an injustice. This, for my money, is the best cookbook of all time, period. Yes, its approach is Italian with the myriad requisites of olive oil, onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives, semolina, parmesan, etc., etc,, but - more important - its spirit is Italian, meaning that it honors simplicity of execution, accessibility of ingredients, vivid delineation of flavors. Italian cooking is the most attainable and adaptable of national cuisines, which makes this classic tome, now updated and tailored to an American audience (ounces, not grams), a must-have for American home cooks (not chefs) of every skill-level. These recipes, by the thousands, are no-fuss, each succinct and clear as a fine Pinot Grigio. If you know how to boil water and turn the range knobs, you're in. Still, novelties proliferate, for Italians, in contrast to the French, are improvisational by nature, using whatever at hand seems best, however unlikely. Variations on basic themes abound in all their regional distinctions. The photography is superb without looking like food porn. The several indexes should be a model for all cookbooks. One lists items by recipes, in order of courses and prime ingredients. The other list sub-ingredints - aioli to zucchini flowers (with forty zucchini flower dishes to choose from). This allows you to gaze into your pantry and spot, say, a container of dried porcini that's been around for several years, then find dozens of ways to use the little funghi. A wonderful bonus is a section of recipes by great Italian chefs (including Italian-Americans like Mario Batali). Encompassing 1500 pages, "The Silver Spoon" would make a great doorstop. However, the floor is the last place I'd put it. It deserves pride of place on your kitchen counter.
    37 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
    The media could not be loaded.
    The book's quality and how well it's made are unbelievable. It says over 2000 recipes, and I think it is since it is weight-heavy. All the recipes are well-written and have great direction. I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible. I love visiting Italy and enjoying the food, and I'm so happy to purchase this book to have a piece of Italy at home.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    The most beautiful cookbook ever!

    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
    The book's quality and how well it's made are unbelievable. It says over 2000 recipes, and I think it is since it is weight-heavy. All the recipes are well-written and have great direction. I love looking at these mouth-watering pictures and plan to make as many as possible. I love visiting Italy and enjoying the food, and I'm so happy to purchase this book to have a piece of Italy at home.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024
    Covers everything from sauces/marinades to desserts. Includes a section of complete menus from award winning chefs. Would probably take 20yrs and 45lbs to get through the whole book. Exceeded all expectations. Nothing I say can do it justice. Got it on sale for $40. from Prime. Strongly recommend.

    Side note: This is not intended for someone as “My first cookbook”. It’s true, most of the recipes are straight forward and clearly written. Maybe 5% of the recipes have photos for reference. This book will not teach you how to cook. To get the most out it, a basic understanding of prep/cooking/baking fundamentals is encouraged.

    That said. If your new to cooking. Go for it. You gotta start somewhere. 👍
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
    Looking for a great gift for the family cook? This is it! I’ve spent many hours flipping through the pages of this wonderful resource. My grandson, a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America swears by this and he suggested to his grandfather that he purchase this for me. Thanks for the smarty pants grandson. I absolutely love it.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
    Arrived in perfect condition. It is a great cook book like it a lot .
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2016
     This book claims to be the Italian cooking bible and it is one indeed!! It is an accumulation of knowledge and love for the Italian cuisine over the past soon 67years since its first edition. This "bible" has its pros and cons for me. Pro, it goes very(!) much into detail of the food itself, as much as the cooking and preparation options, but also about its geographical and historical background; very(!) interesting and educational! If you want to step up your own "art of Italian cooking" and want to educate and challenge yourself more in the kitchen, then this cook book is the perfect addition for  you! I believe the authors haven't left out anything!
    Another big pro is the price! I researched other options in Europe to buy this book. . . no matter where I looked, it was more expensive!
    The con for me is the bible 'style', very big book, not easy to handle, with bible like thin pages and small print. Another con is for me it's just too much information and not easy to find what I need to know to cook a new recipe.
    35 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
    I bought this in Italy and ordered it in English via Amazon. Its all the basics you need to learn authentic Italian cooking, I would suggest getting the basic Test Kitchen book to go along with this book because if you look at the Test Kitchen recipes, you will clearly understand how to use this book even better, same with Ottelingi books. Id buy all three and you are on your way to being a better cook than most because you will have some cooking theory behind you- and someone is explaining the mistakes made vs why things works!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025
    Bought as a birthday gift for my brother who loves to try new recipes now that he’s retired. He loves it!!

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Gema
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen estado
    Reviewed in Spain on February 15, 2024
    Impresionante
    Report
  • Beyondizm
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for Italian Cooking!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2025
    The Silver Spoon is an absolute classic for anyone who loves authentic Italian cuisine. The book is packed with hundreds of traditional recipes, covering everything from pasta and risotto to meats, seafood, and desserts.

    The instructions are clear and easy to follow, making it great for both beginners and experienced cooks. The variety of dishes is incredible, and it truly captures the essence of Italian home cooking.

    If you’re looking for a comprehensive Italian cookbook, this is the one to get. Highly recommended!
  • saga
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bra present
    Reviewed in Sweden on December 31, 2023
    Fin bok med oändligt många recept och vackra bilder. Killen blev supernöjd när han fick den i julklapp, väldigt uppskattad present.
  • Client d'Amazon
    1.0 out of 5 stars Sale et à moitié en anglais / espagnol
    Reviewed in France on September 18, 2020
    Livre completement sale. Venu en boite sans emballage protecteur. Et la belle surprise à l’intérieur l: elle est à moitié en anglais et moitié en espagnol. Vu les commentaires précédents, probablement un retour que Amazon a revendu. 100% déçu. C'était un cadeau pour ma femme et je peux pas loffrir dans cet état.
    Customer image
    Client d'Amazon
    1.0 out of 5 stars
    Sale et à moitié en anglais / espagnol

    Reviewed in France on September 18, 2020
    Livre completement sale. Venu en boite sans emballage protecteur. Et la belle surprise à l’intérieur l: elle est à moitié en anglais et moitié en espagnol. Vu les commentaires précédents, probablement un retour que Amazon a revendu. 100% déçu. C'était un cadeau pour ma femme et je peux pas loffrir dans cet état.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
  • SLK
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book. A few words on measurements.
    Reviewed in Canada on September 6, 2020
    I think there are enough reviews that describe how invaluable this volume is as a recipe book. They are correct. Many people seem to be concerned about the system of measurements used. The recipes appear to come from various sources and measurements and conversions are not homogenous throughout the book. Some are expressed fully in metric, some in imperial and in some cases both. It seems to be a bit of a work in progress in that regard. This should not discourage anyone from buying this book.

    Most scales and measuring vessels are dual metric/imperial and the phones we all carry are very handy for conversions. Most importantly one of the biggest pleasures of this book is the rustic and often informal approach. Sprigs of this, dustings of that. It all lends itself to experimentation and adjusting for your own personal taste as you go along. I’ve made about 20-30 dishes from this book and haven’t followed the exact recipe for any of them and substituted many ingredients. They’ve all been wonderful.

    For cups, tablespoons, etc. the difference is inconsequential. The difference between an imperial and metric cup is about 30ml. Canada used to use the imperial system so depending on how old your measuring cups are you may be using imperial cups without knowing it. Even new ones may be imperial. It is really much ado about nothing. The same argument applies to spoon measurements. You’ll never know the difference.

    Oven temperatures are usually in Fahrenheit, but I think most Canadians accept this as a matter of course. My oven is set to Fahrenheit by default but is easily toggled to Celsius and back.

    The book is a guide. Pick it up, get into the kitchen and enjoy.