Food and Other Things I Love

Food and Other Things I Love by Caroline Manzo is a love letter to Caroline's two greatest loves: food and family. Caroline promises simple and delicious meals that stand the test of time and her book delivers.

Caroline’s recipes cover a range of classic Italian staples and fresh innovations. Each recipe begins with an anecdote about how/why Caroline uses the recipe herself. Caroline's tone is warm and conversational, like she's a friend eager to share her cooking tricks and tips. Her writing sparkles with humor and experience. The recipes and tips are easy to follow. Caroline's advice is practical and to the point, which is exactly how I like my recipes to be. She doesn't use unnecessary filler. Caroline’s recipes are ideal for beginner cooks or seasoned chefs. There's a little something for everyone.

Aside from the recipes, Caroline added some extras to make her cookbook stand out. Interludes about setting a table, cooking for a crowd, and how to zhush up your apron were fun palette cleansers between chapters. They gave the book zest and allowed the author's personality to shine through.

I loved the layout. It had an old-school diner menu vibe. The typeset is unique, yet easy to read. It fits Caroline’s theme about time-honored traditions.

There were casual pictures of Caroline's family that looked like they came from family photo albums. The pictures added a personal touch. It felt like Caroline welcomes the reader into her home. Her hospitality and warmth comes through, as well as the fun she has cooking with her family.

I also related to Caroline's point that food doesn't have to be pretty. In a world of meal pictures and Instagram filters, Caroline reminds us that food is meant to be enjoyed and eaten, not just photographed. Sometimes a dish is great not just because of the ingredients, but because of how it makes you feel.

I received an ARC of this book from Chronicle Books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Many of us have followed along with Caroline Manzo and her family since she welcomed TV viewers into her home back in 2009. Since then, Manzo has dabbled in different mediums, giving fans her advice, her tips, or inviting us to try some of the dishes we’ve watched her cook with joy and laughter over the years. Now, in ‘Food & Other Things I Love’, Manzo shares over 100 of her Italian American recipes that will continue to delight everyone in your own extended famiglia. Instant hits like Snow Day Homemade Pasta, Manzo Meatballs, Frangelico Baked Sweet Potatoes with Mascarpone, Italian Hot Dogs, PPS (Peppers Potatoes Sausage), Smoky Grilled Peaches, Hazelnut & Beet Salad, Pasta with Olive Sauce, Taylor Ham & Cheese, Zucchini Cake, Struffoli, Bow Knot Cookies, even staples like Lemon Aioli, Garlic Confit, and Long Hots are presented along side Manzo’s spin on well-known classics, in fun, richly illustrated fonts. Little bits of Caroline’s trademark how-tos are also sprinkled throughout. With easy instruction and use of widely-accessible ingredients, Manzo makes it easy to get everyone gathered around the table in no time. Like the title reads, there is much to love here. An absolute must for all kitchens and for all collections.

“Let me tell you something about my family. We’re thick as thieves.” IFYKYK. Huge Caroline fan here so I was excited to check out her cookbook. Lots of traditional Italian fare, as one would expect, and a few surprises as well like chili and turkey burgers. I enjoyed the little stories and memories shared. Sunday Gravy anyone?

As a real housewives fan and an Italian American I couldn’t have loved this any more. I can’t wait to cook my way through it!

While I might not be a fan of the newer Housewive’s shows, I absolutely loved the OG seasons of New Jersey. I loved how fierce Caroline acted, especially when it came to her children.

This book is all a fan could ask for. Glimpses and stories of her family and delicious yet simplistic food recipes. Yes, some are more labor intensive but there’s a far amount that any level of cook could attempt.

This was an excellent cookbook! First of all, I loved how it was laid out. It was easy to follow, the font was fun, and the little tidbits strewn throughout were helpful and interesting. The recipes all sound amazing! I bookmarked so many that I will definitely have to order the print copy of this book when it comes out. This is the next best thing to actually being in the kitchen with Caroline!

SO CUTE.

I love a well designed cookbook and the photos in here were so well done.

I was a huge fan of Housewives back when it first premiered and this felt like a warm nostalgia hug. I haven’t watched in years but the recipes and the photos presented the same Caroline I knew.

Everything sounded delicious with a great variety of dishes to make and there is something for everyone. I will say, more of the dishes are for the moderate to advanced cook, but the recipes are easy enough to follow.

Thank you for the EARc NetGalley and Chronicle Books. I’ve loved the Manzo’s since their first season on RHONJ, they came across then as a fun, loving family and they continue that with this book. More than just a cookbook, this is about showing your family love through cooking and spending time together. This has timeless recipes that aren’t super time consuming or complicated. The stores are great and the font and look of this book is nostalgic. I will definitely be getting this one for my permanent collection.

I like the overall look & feel of this book. You can tell Caroline Manzo cooks for her family often, with love and joy. I loved seeing all of the family photos, however I wish some were a little better. Overall, I’m excited to continue trying the recipes.

Caroline Manzo's 'Food and Other Things I Love' will be a staple in so many households. It's full of easy recipes that everyone in your family will enjoy and every recipe has a special memory behind it. I have always been a fan of hers and you just know how important family is to her. Her love for her family shines throughout and it makes you want to create these meals too so that you can create more than just great meals; you can create memories at the dinner table that will last forever. Caroline pours her heart into this book you feel it with every recipe. The cookbook is accompanied by beautiful pictures of yummy food and her beautiful family.