Breaking the rules

Breaking the rules A fresh take on Italian classics

Joe Sasto

Book - 2025

It's time to ditch the same boring recipes and get creative in the kitchen. Known for his signature curled mustache and dynamic presence on shows like Bravo's Top Chef and Food Network's Tournament of Champions, Joe Sasto brings his culinary expertise and passion for pasta to your kitchen. Breaking the Rules is a celebration of Italian cuisine, reimagined with Joe's unique flair, playfulness, and creativity. Dive into a world of pasta with step-by-step techniques that guide you through creating dishes in all forms, shapes, and sizes. From classic Italian recipes like meatballs and focaccia to innovative creations such as Corn Cacio e Pepe, Marinated Tomato "Amatriciana," and Pesto Pinwheel Pull-Apart Bread, Joe...'s recipes are designed to inspire both novice and experienced cooks. Each recipe begins with a simple version, perfect for beginners, and offers variations to elevate the dish for those ready to "break the rules" and take their skills to the next level. --

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2nd Floor New Shelf 641.5945/Sasto (NEW SHELF) Due Mar 15, 2026
Subjects
Cooking, Italian.
Cooking.
Cooking, Italian > Juvenile literature.
Cuisine italienne.
Recipes.
Cookbooks.
Illustrated works.
Informational works.
Instructional and educational works.
Genres
Recipes
Cookbooks
Illustrated works
Informational works
Instructional and educational works
Published
New York, NY : Simon Element 2025.
Language
English
Main Author
Joe Sasto (author)
Other Authors
Thea Baumann (author), Huge Galdones (photographer)
Edition
First Simon Element hardcover edition
Item Description
Includes index.
Physical Description
288 pages : color illustrations ; 26 cm
ISBN
9781668052570
  • Introduction
  • How to Use This Book
  • Pantry
  • Tools
  • Chapter 1. Crispy Crunchy
  • Fried Halibut and Savory Zabaglione
  • Fried Ceci Beans
  • Rice Paper Cacio e Pepe Chips
  • Fried Castelvetrano Olives
  • Santorini-Style Tomato Fritters
  • Fried Maitake Mushrooms with Onion Dip
  • Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Honey Butter Fried Chicken
  • Mozzarella en Carrozza
  • Crispy Churros and Fonduta
  • Chapter 2. Fresh and Light
  • Charred Zucchini Dip, Basil, and Cherry Tomatoes
  • Summer Melon Gazpacho
  • Grilled Apricots, Vineyard Simple Syrup, Burrata, and Brown Butter Crumble Rumble
  • Cucumber and Plum Salad with Pistachio and Wasabi
  • Grilled Short Rib Lettuce Wraps
  • Marinated Tomato "Amatriciana"
  • Roasted Snap Peas and Artichoke Yogurt
  • Crunchy Caesar and Garlic Streusel
  • BBQ Shrimp, Calabrian Chile Paste, Orange, and Fresh Herbs
  • Kale Salad with Blueberry and Lemon Dressing
  • Endive Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Italian Vinaigrette, Horseradish, and Hazelnuts
  • Chapter 3. Breaking the Bread
  • Fried Potato, Cheese, and Sausage Pie
  • Rosemary and Blackberry Focaccia with Whipped Mortadella
  • Pesto Pinwheel Pull-Apart Bread and Fonduta
  • Sesame Semolina Flatbreads
  • Staff Favorite Cornbread
  • "Quick and Dirty" Pizza Dough
  • Garlic Knots
  • Pepperoni Stromboli
  • Pantry-Friendly Fancy Toasts
  • Chapter 4. Sharing is Caring
  • Lamb Chops with Agrodolce Glaze, Walnuts, and Feta
  • Risotto
  • Baked Clams and Rice "Casino"
  • Mom's Meatballs
  • Weeknight Short Ribs
  • Ribeye, Crispy Fingerlings, and All the Peppercorn Sauce
  • Black Garlic Butter Branzino
  • Pork Chops with Mustard Berry Jus
  • Rosemary Chicken Thighs, Raspberry Bomba, and Anchovy Grilled Romaine
  • Mini Salami Meatballs with Whipped Ricotta and Pesto
  • Chapter 5. On the Side
  • Carrots with Spicy Yogurt and Carrot Top Pesto
  • Radicchio, Whipped Ricotta, and Macadamia Nuts
  • Squash, Whipped Ricotta, and Spicy Pumpkin Seed Crumble Rumble
  • Blistered Shishitos and Dashi Mayo
  • Sweet Potato Wedges and Lemony Ranch
  • Fresh Corn Polenta with Butter and Chives
  • Baked Burrata alla Diavola
  • Asparagus Cooked in Its Own Juices
  • Grilled Broccolini, Stracciatella, and Seeded Crumble Rumble
  • Pesto-Rubbed Corn on the Cob
  • Chapter 6. Dried Pasta is Your Best Friend
  • Sasto Bolo
  • Turkey Bolognese
  • Butternut Mac n Cheese
  • Pasta alla Norcina
  • Beef Bolognese
  • Corn Cacio e Pepe
  • Pasta alla Nerano
  • Whipped Cauliflower and Everything Bagel Crumble Rumble
  • Pasta alla Mezcal
  • Chapter 7. Made by Hand
  • Grano Treiso Dough
  • Brown Butter and Potato
  • Braised Pork and Roasted Pepper
  • Chicken Parm
  • Sweet Potato Maple Miso
  • Spicy Pork with Pistachio Crumble Rumble
  • Kale, Ricotta, and Hot Honey
  • Potato Gnocchi
  • Ricotta Gnocchi
  • Chapter 8. Sweet Treats
  • Absolute Best Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies
  • Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Almond Flour and Egg White Thumbprints
  • Pistachio Calzones
  • Baked Ricotta Pie
  • Sweet Potato Pie
  • Matcha Tea-ramisu
  • Panettone "Italian Toast" with Strawberries and Balsamic
  • Mom's Crepes
  • Strawberry Cobbler
  • Banana "Ice Cream" with Cinnamon, Walnuts, and Dates
  • Chapter 9. Essential Basic Recipes
  • White Pepper Marshmallows
  • Herby Garlicky Paste
  • Praline Paste
  • Basic Pie Dough
  • Tomato Raisins
  • Garlic Confit
  • Burnt Strawberries
  • Acknowledgments
  • Index
Review by Library Journal Review

Sasto seeks to bring out every cook's inner rebel. After stints at Michelin-starred restaurants in California and time spent as a Food Network celebrity and Top Chef contestant, Sasto developed his philosophy that a "recipe should only act as a road map." With that culinary ethos in mind, Sasto's cookbook debut (assisted by Thea Baumann) serves up dishes ranging from those he prepares at home to treasured family recipes to pared-down dishes he has made in the restaurants where he has worked. While focusing on Italian and Italian-inspired dishes, Sasto isn't afraid to step outside that box, beginning with his essential pantry items, which include yuzu juice and yuzu marmalade, Shiro dashi, and pistachio butter. Cooks will find recipes--many of which include variations and tips for breaking the rules--for everything from Mom's Red Sauce and mozzarella en carrozza (which he cleverly brands as the "godfather of today's mozzarella sticks") to Sasto's clever spins on classics such as rice-paper cacio e pepe chips and Matcha Tea-Ramisu. VERDICT Innovative yet accessible to home cooks, Sasto's engaging debut is the perfect guide to helping cooks ignite their creativity in the kitchen.--John Charles

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