Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Fun and flavorful cooking

This is a fantastic book for creating fun dishes for your family or a dinner party you may be having. Alot of easy to follow recipes for beginners or experienced. The crabcake recipe is excellent.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Easy and Delicious!

I've found that many recipes from celebrity chefs don't come out right when you make them at home. They leave something out, or change the measurements slightly so that us home cooks will still go to their restaurants to get the same results. Ina Garten's recipes have never failed me, (except the one time I didn't completely read the directions for her Outrageous Brownies, and didn't leave some of the chocolate chips aside to mix in once the batter cooled, but it still tasted great!) and I look forward to more cookbooks from her.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Food Flair with Ease

This book is full of ideas and delicious recipes. You will wow your guests with any choice. Some recipes are less practical than others but all are delicious.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

EXTRA Large EGGS?? Spillovers!!! Pecan Bars!

Has anybody actually tried to make the pecan bars? As a very experienced cook and baker in the home kitchen, this one has to be written, again. I challenge anybody to put the ingredients together exactly as the recipe reads with no complications. There is a major problem -- and I DID check to see if my pan was the larger size for jelly roll style recipes. Tasted great but was not an easy task.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ava Gardner would have approved!

This lavishly illustrated volume containing many stunning full-color photographs of finished dishes as well as locally grown produce strives for elegant simplicity and proves that good food need not be complicated. The dishes described are not difficult to prepare and require no special expertise or equipment. The author provides clearly written recipes that call for widely available ingredients. She knows that even standard dishes can benefit from fresh thinking and encourages inventiveness in the kitchen. This book would make a lovely gift for anyone who likes to entertain simply, naturally, and with style. Another book that I highly recommend is Sonia Uvezian's masterpiece, 'Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen,' which has to be one of the greatest ethnic cookbooks ever written. It too inspires innovation and brims with magnificent recipes suitable for entertaining that have consistently brought me raves from both family and guests. Uvezian's recipes for hummus with red pepper paste and for pomegranate wine punch are just two of the hundreds in her book that will bring you fame as a cook.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ina the Original

My wife and I love her books.

Great Cookbook

Although the book is probably more for intermediate than inexperienced cooks, Ina Garten's recipes are no-fail. Her presentation is outstanding and the food is good home cooking with wonderful flair. You'll impress all your guests with these recipes and they always turn out the way Garten says they will. My favorite is the Indonesian Ginger Chicken (which can also be used with other meats and even tofu and seitan for vegetarians or vegans who eat honey). I received this book as a birthday gift and used it so often, I went out and bought Barefoot Contessa At Home and Back to Basics. There has been some criticism that Garten uses too much butter and oil in her recipes, but I find that this is really the case in her desserts (which rely on traditional recipes - none of that hydrogenated margarine crap) not her appetizers, entrees, or breakfasts. What I really appreciate about her cooking style is that it uses good, simple, fresh ingredients to produce great food. No muss, no fuss, but there will be some labor. Don't expect 30-Minute Meals here, although some will be quick like the salads.

If you like to cook, this is the book to read and re-read.

I found the book to be interesting and informative. The recipes are laid out simply. Ms. Garten explains the terms in an easy to understand vocabulary. The recipes are appealing and definitely tasty. I can't wait to start reading the other three.

A Must to have

i love all of Ina Garten's books. They are easy to follow for the home cook and the meals are delicious. The illustrations are beautiful. She gives great ideas for any type of meal, party. I have all of her books and can't wait for the next one.

the barefoot contessa cookbook by Ina Garten

The chef has gathered together some really great recipes and what I have tried so far was to my perfection. I highly recommend this book to all those who like a taste of fine dining foods.

A great update on a classic recipe

After seeing the movie "Julia and Julie" I was inspired to prepare a wonderful dinner for 12 of my friends. I decided to challenge myself and make beef bourguignon. I mentioned to my friend from NY that I was going to try to make the dish and she replied "What a great idea!" and made the dish, using Ina Garten's recipe, a week before my dinner party. My friend raved about the results and reviews she received from her guests. I rushed to Barnes and Noble to pick up Ina Garten's cookbook. I have a couple of her cookbooks but the recipe for Beef Bourguignon is in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, a book I didn't own.
The day of my party I prepared the recipe up to a certain point but there were still steps to complete close to the time my guests were arriving. Three of my guests worked with me to ensure the dish got to the table where it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The work of completing the recipe provided my guests with a fun and interesting evening. The next day my husband and I finished the the delicious leftovers.
Beef bourguignon is just one of the fabulous recipes from Ina Garten's The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. The parmesan smashed potatoes and carmelized butternut squash are equally wonderful. For dessert, the outrageous brownies will please any brownie lover!
The pictures are vibrant and show you how a dish will present itself on your table. On the side margins of the pages are Ina's helpful hints to ensure every cook's success.
Anyone who loves to cook and those who want to learn will find this Ina Garten cookbook or any Ina Garten cookbook a partner in their kitchen.

Ina Garten's Cookbooks never disappoint. They include something for everyone.

Recipe's from Ina Garten's cookbooks, quickly become family favorites. Thanks for sharing!! "If I discover at least one recipe (that becomes a favorite) from a newly purchased cookbook, I am pleased.

Amazing Food You'll Feel Comfortable Making!

I literally learned to cook through this book. Ina Garten took me from a 23 year old novice to 'Suzy Homemaker' in no time and I didn't even lose my real job! The recipes are so straightforward, you'll feel confident you can prepare any of them and get it right the first time!

Like Being in East Hampton

This is a must have. It's just like being in her wonderful shop. If you entertain at all, she can make is SOOOOO easy for you. The recipes WORK and are delighful. They range from simple to challenging--good for a range of cooks.

Outstanding Cookbook!

This is by far the best cookbook I have used! The Barefoot Contessa has established herself as a true chef! Here recipes are easy to follow and always get rave reviews wherever you serve them. Well done!

Hmm, hmm, hmm

Fabulous, easy to make recipes that are great for every night or a special occasion. I highly reccommend it to everyone who enjoys good food.

It doesn't get better than this.

It doesn't get any better. I'll admit, I'm a huge Martha Stewart fan & that is how I heard about the Barefoot Contessa. This is such a beautiful & amazing cookbook. I have tried 5 recipes since I got it last week & all of them have come out perfect & delicious.

The Barefoot Contessa Rocks

I have been cooking for over 25 years and this has to be one of the best cookbooks i have run across. I think i have made everything at least once...and most a ton of times! The BEST chocolate cake...her Potato Salad is to die for.

An essential for every kitchen

I have many, many cookbooks, but this is the only one that I truly rely on everyday. The recipies and directions are so easy to follow and the results are amazing. The book is written very well and the pictures are beautiful. Ina Garten now has her own section in Martha Stewart Living magazine every month. I now have a subscription!

Fabulous, Easy and Beautiful Food

After seeing Ina Garten featured on Martha Stewart, I was eager to get a copy of her cookbook. Everything I've tried has been easy to make, yet elegant and delicious. The Coconut Cupcakes are simply divine!