Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan   Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking deserves a place among the “must haves” for anyone interested in cooking authentic Italian dishes from scratch.  The recipes use fresh, raw ingredients and include clear, detailed explanations for each step of the way.  Marcella makes you feel like she is standing right next to you anticipating your next question.  There are no photographs of the processes, only drawings which may prove to be a hindrance for the novice.  But if you are familiar with the basics, you will find the recipes easy to follow with generally excellent results.  For an insider’s look at “real” Italian cooking, Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking is the only cookbook you will need.   P. Jacobs