Book tip of the week: Cooking like a real Italian

Dolce Vita to cook at home
© Südwest Verlag
© Südwest Verlag
7. September 2025

 | Editorial team

If you want to understand why Angelo Coassin, alias @cookingwithbello, has attracted millions of followers online, you don’t have to look far – his first cookbook, “Cooking Like a Real Italian,” is an invitation to a culinary journey through Italy that is as charming as it is practical for everyday use. What particularly struck us while reading it was that the recipes are deliberately kept simple, but never banal. The typical Italian culinary philosophy – few ingredients, maximum quality – is consistently implemented here. From classic antipasti to pizza, pasta, and more, to original dolce and aperitivo ideas such as a tiramisu espresso martini or a pistachio lava cake, the book brings both tried-and-true classics and creative new discoveries to the table.

Between the recipes, Coassin charmingly conveys what Italian cuisine is really all about: the feeling of enjoying food together. This also includes many small but valuable tips, such as the famous pasta water for creamy sauces or the perfect lemon pesto. We particularly like the successful balance between traditional family cuisine and modern influences – inspired by Angelo’s childhood with his mother and grandmother as well as his international career.

INFO:
Cook like a real Italian – Amazingly simple & guaranteed authentic favorite recipes
Author: Angelo Coassin (@cookingwithbello)
Publisher: Südwest Verlag
176 pages
ISBN: 978-3-517-10394-5
Price: €25.00 [Germany] | €25.70 [Austria] | CHF 34.50
Publication date: April 2025

A book that serves up authentic Italian cuisine with a wink

Our conclusion: An entertaining and practical cookbook for anyone who not only wants to cook Italian food, but also wants to understand why simplicity in Italian cuisine has so much depth. Ideal for anyone who wants to bring la dolce vita to their plate.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© Südwest Verlag

Lots of noise – little context

What does this have to do with communication?

What is it? Technically hardly necessary, loud and therefore highly suspicious from a social perspective, and experiencing its second spring or autumn in February? That’s right – it’s the leaf blower! Once invented to blow autumn leaves off the streets and somewhere where, in the best case scenario, they might be less of a nuisance. Currently, this device is experiencing an unexpected wake-up call from hibernation. It is needed to blow away confetti after the carnival parade. The controller may be pleased to be able to amortize a “fabulously expensive” machine in half the time. The neighbors are probably less enthusiastic about this.

Book tip: Green. Warm. Good.

Well-being starts on your plate

Sandra Mühlberg combines over 80 vegetarian recipes with tips for stocking up, sustainable cooking, and relaxed kitchen moments. A book full of warmth, flavor, and inspiring self-care moments.

INFO
Green. Warm. Good.
Author: Sandra Mühlberg
Publisher: Callwey
Length: 224 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7667-2809-8
Price: €39.95

Book tip: Girl Dinner

Snack your way to happiness

What originally began as a social media trend has become a tribute to small, exquisite moments of pleasure. Georgia Freedman celebrates uncomplicated togetherness with colorful snack ideas, dips, antipasti, and bread variations—and shows that good food can also be simple.

INFO
Girl Dinner
Author: Georgia Freedman
Publisher: Callwey
Length: 160 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7667-2807-4
Price: €22.00 (Germany) / €22.70 (Austria) / CHF 30.90

quick & dirty
Cook like a real Italian © Südwest Verlag
Book tip of the week: Cooking like a real Italian

If you want to understand why Angelo Coassin, alias @cookingwithbello, has attracted millions of followers online, you don’t have to look far – his first cookbook, “Cooking Like a Real Italian,” is an invitation to a culinary journey through Italy that is as charming as it is practical for everyday use. What particularly struck us while reading it was that the recipes are deliberately kept simple, but never banal. The typical Italian culinary philosophy – few ingredients, maximum quality – is consistently implemented here. From classic antipasti to pizza, pasta, and more, to original dolce and aperitivo ideas such as a tiramisu espresso martini or a pistachio lava cake, the book brings both tried-and-true classics and creative new discoveries to the table.

Between the recipes, Coassin charmingly conveys what Italian cuisine is really all about: the feeling of enjoying food together. This also includes many small but valuable tips, such as the famous pasta water for creamy sauces or the perfect lemon pesto. We particularly like the successful balance between traditional family cuisine and modern influences – inspired by Angelo’s childhood with his mother and grandmother as well as his international career.

INFO:
Cook like a real Italian – Amazingly simple & guaranteed authentic favorite recipes
Author: Angelo Coassin (@cookingwithbello)
Publisher: Südwest Verlag
176 pages
ISBN: 978-3-517-10394-5
Price: €25.00 [Germany] | €25.70 [Austria] | CHF 34.50
Publication date: April 2025