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The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
For more than twenty years, Barefoot Contessa, the acclaimed specialty food store, has been cooking and baking extraordinary dishes for enthusiastic customers in the Hamptons. For many of those years, people have tried to get the exuberant owner, Ina Garten, to share the secrets of her store. Finally, the energy and style that make Barefoot Contessa such a special place ar
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
I love a simple well-tested cookbook. Preparations had the right amount of details and shortcuts where appropriate. Ina knows how to take care of her home cooks.
Here are the dishes I've tasted and the cookbook club cooks who made them:
Sheela - Lobster Salad in Endive: You can't go wrong with quality lobster. No leftovers with this one.
Molly - Rosemary White Bean Soup: Pureed and delicous. Really an amazing soup and surprisingly right for a summer's evening.
Gretchen - Grilled Tuna Nicoise Platte ...more
Here are the dishes I've tasted and the cookbook club cooks who made them:
Sheela - Lobster Salad in Endive: You can't go wrong with quality lobster. No leftovers with this one.
Molly - Rosemary White Bean Soup: Pureed and delicous. Really an amazing soup and surprisingly right for a summer's evening.
Gretchen - Grilled Tuna Nicoise Platte ...more
The recipes in this book turn out perfectly EVERY time and I've made over half of them. Buy it.
Ina Garten's cookbooks do everything you need. If I didn't have any technique in the kitchen and had to pick a cookbook to last forever (or in this case, a series) it would be hers. Rich, lovely recipes that are very approachable. Beginners can follow along; experts can take some of her suggestions and run with them. I almost always get rave reviews for anything I make from these books and I have made or eaten a large portion of them. It is very hard to find cookbooks that can provide you recipe
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Listen, the woman knows her way around the kitchen and she's not afraid of a stick of butter, which I like in a chef.
Paula Deen doesn't skimp on the butter either, but usually whatever she is cooking ends up getting deep fried and then used as a delivery system for some kind of mayonnaise product too -- and I just can't hang with that.
Whereas Ina will definitely butter you up, she at least has the common decency throw on some fresh herbs and add some roasted vegetables so even your cholesterol ...more
Paula Deen doesn't skimp on the butter either, but usually whatever she is cooking ends up getting deep fried and then used as a delivery system for some kind of mayonnaise product too -- and I just can't hang with that.
Whereas Ina will definitely butter you up, she at least has the common decency throw on some fresh herbs and add some roasted vegetables so even your cholesterol ...more
I cook 3 meals a day for my family, and I love the Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks. She's got great advice on preparing things ahead of time, how to cook for a larger group, and putting together a complete meal. Her recipes are best for people who are already pretty comfortable in the kitchen, and the baking is less reliable than the savory foods, but every one of her cookbooks is worth having.
During a particularly challenging time in my life, I found and fell in love with Ina. Many of her recipes are staples in my cooking repertoire, and I have yet to find a Barefoot Contessa cookbook that I don't thoroughly enjoy. Great for ANY kitchen and cook!!!
Aug 18, 2015
Adriana Giannino
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
cooks
Recommended to Adriana by:
librarian
Ina Garten is such a good cook. Too much sugar, too much butter, too much oil (too much Jeffrey), but it all tastes good and is good, solid fare. Decrease the sugar and fat and you end up with a reliably good recipe always.
This is by far my favorite cookbook. The pages are stuck together I use it so much. Curried coucous? Yes, please!
Here's why I like Ina Garten's recipes. They are simple but use the highest quality ingredients she can find. Here's what's happened to cooks in America. They are simply assembling the cheapest "edible" ingredients. I know. Not everyone. I love the Garten is clear about exactly which ingredients make her dishes so good. There is nothing overly fussing here.
This cookbook was published in 1999. That may make it seem dated, but it also gives a lovely familiarity to the recipes. They are accompanie ...more
This cookbook was published in 1999. That may make it seem dated, but it also gives a lovely familiarity to the recipes. They are accompanie ...more
Ina is my favorite chef, so I devoured this book as I have devoured many of the recipes I've learned from her. She cooks comfort food and smart food, full of variety and assorted flavors.
I had plans to see Ina Garten speak in Wilmington but had none of her books! I requested and received this for Christmas. It's a lovely cookbook; the recipes are all enticing, simple, and straightforward. Most of all, her personality shines through--she's gracious and down to earth. In all of her recipes, she is very aware of her audience--the home cook and entertainer, not the chef or caterer. I was pleased to see how her philosophy echoes mine--the first time you try a recipe, you follow it EX
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I just got this lovely book for Christmas. It does not have a million recipes like some other cookbooks. But what it does have is a nice collection of classics and favorites, most with excellent illustrations, organized by food type (i.e. main dish, dessert, appetizer). I am not talented in the "food presentation" area (After all, I created the "Paul Potts Pork Roast"), but Ina makes some simple and easy suggestions on making your food look good without sacrificing anything in taste. This would
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This one is a great one. The cheddar corn chowder is A+++ delicious and I make it quite often. I have opened this book many times, sometimes just to look at the pictures and sometimes because I actually want to cook something from it. It's a well loved, and well used book in my collection.
My one complaint about this book is the amount of food the recipes make. I frequently halve them and have more then enough for four people, and since it's just me I always have a ton of leftovers. I think the a ...more
My one complaint about this book is the amount of food the recipes make. I frequently halve them and have more then enough for four people, and since it's just me I always have a ton of leftovers. I think the a ...more
I love this book. Everything I've made from it has worked. The dishes are accessible if a bit old fashioned, but don't let the "old fashioned" comment put you off. By "old fashioned" I mean comfort food, probably too high in calories to eat every night but delicious none the less. This lady knows her stuff and her recipe writing style is friendly and chatty. As for the recipes themselves, her Cheddar Corn Chowder has warmed us on many a cold night, her Roasted Brussels Sprouts finally convinced
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ok yes i'm counting this in my reading! i'm behind in my reading challenge and i technically read this thing cover to cover!
i learned so much--how to make a tasteful vegetable plate, how Sunday lunch is a wonderful opportunity to entertain, how using both oil and butter to cook is the way to go. thank you ina, you culinary goddess who keeps reminding readers that they can get speciality items by "mail order" in her pre-Internet world and had the confidence to name drop Steven Spielberg and Laure ...more
i learned so much--how to make a tasteful vegetable plate, how Sunday lunch is a wonderful opportunity to entertain, how using both oil and butter to cook is the way to go. thank you ina, you culinary goddess who keeps reminding readers that they can get speciality items by "mail order" in her pre-Internet world and had the confidence to name drop Steven Spielberg and Laure ...more
This is my favorite of all the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. Favorite recipes that I've come back to repeatedly are the kitchen clambake (layers of sautéed leeks, potatoes, kielbasa and various seafood cooked indoors in a pot) and fresh lemonade (1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 - 3/4 cup superfine sugar {to taste}, 1 cup crushed ice and 4 cups water - combine all in a blender).
I love the simplicity of her recipes and the lack of fussiness. I get most of my cookbooks from the library, ...more
I love the simplicity of her recipes and the lack of fussiness. I get most of my cookbooks from the library, ...more
When I first got this cookbook I took it to bed and drooled over the recipes. When I started actually making ina garten recipes, people were tricked into thinking i was a really fabulous cook. So...if she can do it for me, she can transform fresh, healthy (well, except for the butter) whole foods, vegetables and fruits into amazing food. Friends and family are always clammoring for the recipes after trying creations I make out of this book...and i do give the credit all to the barefoot contessa.
As with all of the Ina Garten recipes I've encountered to date, which is quite a few, these are all very straightforward, emphasize fresh foods, and are extremely yummy. After signing this out from my public library, I promptly tabbed a bunch of pages and made six or seven of the recipes. Each was great, and I decided it was officially a "keeper." That is not to say that I wouldn't be returning the library copy; instead, I purchased my own copy just recently.
I love this cookbook and often flip through it just for ideas and the pictures. The Fresh Corn Salad, Parmesan Croutons, Pan-Fried Onion Dip, Sun-Dried Tomato Dip, Lemondade and Outrageous Brownies were incredible. There are also several other recipes on my "to try" list. I just really like Ina and her party attitude. I love to entertain and having the food done before people arrive.
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook By Ina Garten This is a beautifully illustrated cookbook. The colored pictures have really helped my in food presentation. I continue to make the home made granola receipe, it's very good. I've watched Ina on the cooking channel, so having her cookbook is fun.
Absolute go-to, from the day I started cooking in earnest up until now, when I barely have to look at recipes to make a really cool meal. Ina Garten has taught me so much about cooking, picking the right ingredients, and putting together a visually stunning home-cooked meal and table. The grilled lemon chicken salad in this book - yum - I think I could eat once a week and never get tired of it!
I love the Barefoot Contessa (Have you ever seen her TV show? She's reminds me of the guy who used to paint on PBS - very mellow and soothing). I'm not the cook (rather the baker) in our house, but I love this cookbook. Her recipes are homey, easy and delicious. Surprise, I love the bread pudding make with croissants. Hoping for another of her cookbooks this Christmas!
My go to guacamole recipe and summer tomato soup recipe (roasted tomato basil soup - the reason that I have a kitchen garden!!) come from this book. They are absolutely delicious and these two recipes alone are worth the price of this book. You know when you have a recipe so good that you don't even bother ever looking for another? Well that's how it is with these two.
Another great cookbook for hearty, satisfying food. Lots of glossy photos of the dishes, which I appreciate. The instructions are straightforward but Ina manages to imbue them with a considerable amount of her joyful personality. Medium degree of difficulty on the recipes. A pleasure to read and to cook from.
Oct 22, 2008
Angie
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves to cook or read about food
The Ina Garten cookbooks feature prominently in the food I make. Almost invariably, her recipes turn out well, are relatively simple, and people seem to like them. The pizza dough from the Barefood Contessa Parties cookbook has become a favorite of my friends and family. The best pizza dough I've ever made. It's basically fool-proof.
I love her recipe books for the simple fruit and veggie recipes and the delicious desserts. I feel like her main dish recipes are not always my taste. I am really picky with what I think a cookbook should look like. I think she got it right. Each recipe has a picture, big fonts, simple and not too much on the page to distract my eyes. She gives great tips and explanations.
I love Ina Garten and all of her books and this one is amazing, as can be expected. The only thing I don't like about it is that there are only a few recipes that I'd actually use on a regular basis. You could easily check this out from a library, copy down the few recipes you like and save some money.
Jul 31, 2013
laurie
rated it
it was amazing
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One of my all time fav cookbooks!
It is an adventure cooking from this book- forced me out of my comfort zone.
Make me grateful for taking the 'risk.'
The two pages for the chocolate cake and homemade icing are worth the work and one of the best tasting cakes I've ever made!
It is an adventure cooking from this book- forced me out of my comfort zone.
Make me grateful for taking the 'risk.'
The two pages for the chocolate cake and homemade icing are worth the work and one of the best tasting cakes I've ever made!
She's not terribly witty or entertaining. But she's got some fabulous recipes in here. I'm not a fan of her show - that voice can put me immediately to sleep. But when I'm searching to put together a great meal for a dinner party, I'm always drawn to her cookbooks.
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Ina Rosenberg Garten is an American author, host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa, and former White House nuclear policy analyst. Known for designing recipes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and time-saving tips, she has been noted by Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, and Patricia Wells for her cooking and home entertaining.
Garten had no formal training; she taught herself culinary ...more
More about Ina Garten...
Garten had no formal training; she taught herself culinary ...more
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