In Her Kitchen

In Her Kitchen, yes, I wish I were, after reading this.

If you are like I am, always dreaming of travel and thinking about other cultures and what they eat and how they live, this is the cookbook for you. I love this concept. Gabriele Galimberti is the the  brilliant Italian who thought of this. Inspired by his grandmother’s worry over who would feed him as he traveled, he has stayed in the homes of grandmothers and photographed them and the meals they made for him that were usually special in some way. This recipe book is fascinating. I must admit I’m not fond of the way the women are photographed with the ingredients for their dish. It’s all layed out in rows. My eyes just weren’t pleased with that. I was, however, riveted by the women and their kitchens. It’s so interested to “visit” other countries and cultures this way. The photos really made me realize how over-the-top wealthy we are here in America compared to others. I really wish I could stop by those kitchens and chat over coffee, tea, or whatever is popular with these women.

This book is a treat. A great gift idea.

*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an unbiased written review.

*From the publisher:

On the eve of a photography trip around the world, Gabriele Galimberti sat down to dinner with his grandmother Marisa. As she had done so many times before, she prepared his favorite ravioli—a gesture of love and an expression of the traditions by which he had come to know her as a child. The care with which she prepared this meal, and the evident pride she took in her dish, led Gabriele to seek out grandmothers and their signature dishes in the sixty countries he visited. The kitchens he photographed illustrate both the diversity of world cuisine and the universal nature of a dish served up with generosity and love. At each woman’s table, Gabriele became a curious and hungry grandson, exploring new ingredients and gathering stories. These vibrant and intimate profiles and photographs pay homage to grandmothers and their cooking everywhere. From a Swedish housewife and her homemade lox and vegetables to a Zambian villager and her Roasted Spiced Chicken, this collection features a global palate: included are hand-stuffed empanadas from Argentina, twice-fried pork and vegetables from China, slow-roasted ratatouille from France, and a decadent toffee trifle from the United States. Taken together or bite by bite, In Her Kitchen taps into our collective affection for these cherished family members and the ways they return that affection.

In Her Kitchen is an evocative, loving portrait of the power of food and family, no matter where in the world you sit down for dinner.

GABRIELE GALIMBERTI is a photographer whose work has appeared in Newsweek, Le Monde, and Vanity Fair, among other publications. In 2013, he finished an eighteen-month photography trip around the world. His photographs and stories have led to partnerships with illy and CouchSurfing.org and have appeared in slideshows on Slate. No matter where he currently rests his head, he calls Italy his home.

gabrielegalimberti.com