Viva le Torte! Dolci e Salate (Ernst Knam)

NOTE: This book is in Italian.

Since 1992 when he opened his Antica Arte del Dolce, Ernst Knam has enchanted the Milanese with his unique way of interpreting pastry. His cakes, sweet and savory, with their intriguing combinations of flavors and aromas, immediately became cult objects: desired, reserved, photographed and copied. In the city of fashion, where aesthetics never go unnoticed, the purity and rigor of the Knam style were immediately appreciated. In these pages, he has collected 28 of his favorite cakes.

Proving the great versatility of the savory versions, it ranges from rustic cakes (Potatoes and Parmesan cheese, La pasqualina revisited) to elegant ones (Escarole and smoked salmon, Gualtiero Marchesi rice cake), but also reserves some surprises (Onion tatin, Polenta black with squid). And the sweets? There are for every nuance of delicacy, from the delicate Lemon Cream Cake to the luxurious Orange and Chocolate Cake, from the simple Apricot Crumble to the exotic Frangipane Cake with olive oil and bananas.