No decisions of importance were made without the advice and consent of the women; their husbands and children obeyed them as watered-down versions of the Virgin Mary; and altogether, they yielded a power over their men that would make any American businesswoman green with envy... (an excerpt from Chapter 9, page 99)

{HISTORY}

The very best thing about Nika Standen Hazelton (1908-1992) and her cookbooks, apart from the wonderful recipes, is the way in which she draws you into the country she is writing about. Like Betty Wason, Nika covers all angles of a country's food landscape from hospitality to history, to language, terrain and travel highlights. Reading her cookbooks is like reading a novel all the way through from beginning to end. It's not a quick flip to a recipe, although once you are familiar with the world in which she writes, that is fine, but it's a completely immersive experience so much more understood when you read all of her delightful stories and interjections along the way.

Here In The Vintage Kitchen, we are big fans of Nika and the way she lays out her books. Story and then recipe and then story and then recipe and back around, again and again,  all tucked in between each other in one entertaining loop of long-form storytelling and cooking.

Reminiscence and Ravioli was her first book published in 1946. It highlights her Italian upbringing and the foods that her family prepared and enjoyed.  In humerous narrative and a charming voice, Nika shares dozens of stories that bring a colorful, gregarious household in Italy in the first half of the 20th century to life. Uncle Mario and his zesty quest for a good meal, a healthy appetite and good wine looms large across these pages. Alongside him, readers meet Aunt Giulia whose cooking woos everyone's affections and fuels much of the drama in Uncle Mario's day-to-day pursuits. It's an inside glimpse of an old-world lifestyle that is full of food, affection and familiar relationships. 

Nika was born in Rome, Italy in 1908 and had the pleasure of traveling the world from a young age thanks to her diplomat dad. Those adventures spurned her interest in international cooking and taking up residence in various parts of the world including London and New York, encouraged a deeper understanding of the unique factors that formed a country's national cuisine. Writing for various magazines during the mid-20th century, she published close to three dozen books on the subjects of food over the course of her career. Nika passed away in 1992, but her books still remain treasured resources in the kitchen today.

Photo of Nika Standen Hazelton courtesy of The Fresno Bee, August 6th, 1969

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• This a first edition published in 1946 by William Morrow
• 148 pages
• Contains original dust jacket wrapped in protective vellum 
• Illustrated throughout by European caricaturist, Kelen 

- Interesting recipes include Risotto a la Milanese, Sora Giulia's Chocolate cake, Crostata di Marmellata, Homemade Noodles, Fried Fillets of Sole, Cheese Tarts, Tomato Meat Sauce, Stuffed Peaches, Polpettone and Paradise Soup among many others. 

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. Thanks to the protective mylar covering the dust jacket is bright and vibrant. Some chippy areas along the top and bottom edge have been repaired. the interior of the book is clean and bright. there are few (less than a handful) age-old cooking spots in the margin areas. The spine is tight and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 8.25" inches (length) x 5.25" inches (width) x .75" inches (thickness) and weighs 11 oz.