Lisa Messinger's
Cookbooks of the Week

The Top One Hundred Italian Rice Dishes

by Diane Seed (Ten Speed Press)

Needless to say, 50 of these top 100 Italian rice dishes are risottos. Italian food expert Diane Seed has previously authored the worthy The Top One Hundred Italian Dishes, The Top One Hundred Pasta Sauces, Eating Out in Italy and Diane Seed's Rome for all Seasons. Seed, like virtually everyone who has ever tasted good risotto, knows it's literally the cream of the crop. Therefore, she offers plentiful pots of risotto con asparagi (asparagus risotto), risotto ai calamari (risotto with squid), panissa (bean, sausage and bacon risotto), riso in cavroman (lamb risotto with herbs and spices) and other delights. Additional standouts not of the risotto variety: miroton (beef and rice bake), riso al tonno (rice with sun-dried tomatoes and tuna) and minestra di riso e pesce (rice and fish broth). Before the feast begins, Seed sows some excellent cooking tips.

RECIPE: RISO IN CAVROMAN (LAMB RISOTTO WITH HERBS AND SPICES)