Loading...
252nd out of 622 books
—
505 voters
My rating:
add to my books
Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics
by
Ina Garten
Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics is the essential Ina Garten cookbook, focusing on the techniques behind her elegant food and easy entertaining style, and offering nearly a hundred brand-new recipes that will become trusted favorites.
Ina Garten’s bestselling cookbooks have con-sistently provided accessible, subtly sophisticated recipes ranging from French classics made ea...more
Ina Garten’s bestselling cookbooks have con-sistently provided accessible, subtly sophisticated recipes ranging from French classics made ea...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
October 28th 2008
by Clarkson Potter
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,308)
I'm not much of a cookbook person.
But when I use a cookbook, I want it to be just that: a collection of recipes. I am not interested in the page-long descriptions of why cooking is so great, and how to buy ingredients, and anything else that the author feels like sharing. So the 9 introductory pages could have been summarized a lot more concisely.
On the plus side, the photographs are beautiful, although it makes me feel this book is more a coffee-table book than a cookbook.
The...more
But when I use a cookbook, I want it to be just that: a collection of recipes. I am not interested in the page-long descriptions of why cooking is so great, and how to buy ingredients, and anything else that the author feels like sharing. So the 9 introductory pages could have been summarized a lot more concisely.
On the plus side, the photographs are beautiful, although it makes me feel this book is more a coffee-table book than a cookbook.
The...more
First I will say I love cookbooks! Secondly, Ina Garten has been a favorite of mine for so long now I can't even remember when I first saw her. I watch her religiously on the Food Network channel whenever she's on. This may sound odd, but for me she has a comforting nature. When I watch her show I'm just relaxed and really enjoying watching her putting together her recipes in that easy way that she has.
This latest cookbook of hers is fabulous. First of all it's a beautiful boo...more
This latest cookbook of hers is fabulous. First of all it's a beautiful boo...more
Unlike many of the Martha Stewart Living recipes I've tried, you don't get halfway through a Barefoot Contessa recipe only to find that you were supposed to soak the pears for your cake or whatever in some liquor for three months last fall (true story) or something equally as ridiculous. Who starts planning a recipe three months in advance???? (excluding famous chefs and Stepford wives, that is)
I love the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks because Ina Garten's recipes are fairly easy while stil...more
I love the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks because Ina Garten's recipes are fairly easy while stil...more
I have the monthly mag Cooking Light to thank for my new-found love of cooking. And chopping. And using fresh ingredients. What I love about the mag is how its introduced me to cooking that incorporates fresh ingredients that make for the BEST meals but that it's also fairly simple stuff. I mean, do I have ginger ALL the time in my fridge? No, but I can easily buy it fresh. As opposed to some chef's cookbook with like, dried eel.
Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia) recently dubbed this cookbo...more
Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia) recently dubbed this cookbo...more
I love this cookbook! Barefoot Back to Basics has the same great narration by Ina Garten and wonderful recipes that you will easily make over again for family and company. Back to basics is simply Ina's way of taking "ordinary ingredients and cooking them or pairing them in a way that unlocks their true flavors." A hint of lemon zest, a dash of cinnamon, a hint of basil etc.. Great appetizers include; roasted shrimp cocktail, parmesan and thyme crackers and the bookclub favorite of ...more
Okay, so I'm a huge Ina Garten fan and was excited to try out some of these recipes. A new Barefoot Contessa book always means taking out the battery of the smoke alarm near the kitchen because of all the smoke caused by roasting. I'm going to think of this one as the fennel and dill book because seriously, has she always used so much fresh fennel and dill? (I did not make any of the fennel or dill recipes but I am planting fennel this spring, so I'll have to revisit.)
We made (and my th...more
We made (and my th...more
Quick, easy recipes that are easy to add to your "rotation". The title is perfect, because many of these recipes really are basic - roasted carrots & parsnips, pasta with just truffle butter, garlic bread with herbs... most require few ingredients & basic techniques. If you have access to great produce/meat/etc. and want them to shine in a dish, this is good book for you.
The photography is beautiful and the layout is simple and pretty. Since there is one recipe per full pag...more
The photography is beautiful and the layout is simple and pretty. Since there is one recipe per full pag...more
So once again my darling brother gave me this book.
But I know how to cook! Ah you may think so too, but this book is not the basic how to boil an egg as others have published...but a plethora of recipes many I did not know, but all of which or superbe...a must for all cooks!
I began to read and what a pleasure, her heart gones into these books and I always enjoy trying out a new recipe...
Even if you are a beginner cook - I would suggest her books over any other...the recipes a...more
But I know how to cook! Ah you may think so too, but this book is not the basic how to boil an egg as others have published...but a plethora of recipes many I did not know, but all of which or superbe...a must for all cooks!
I began to read and what a pleasure, her heart gones into these books and I always enjoy trying out a new recipe...
Even if you are a beginner cook - I would suggest her books over any other...the recipes a...more
I heard this was a really good cookbook, but it is expensive so I thought I would borrow it from the library first. Oh my! On almost every page Al and I were saying, "Oh, we have to try that," and "Oh, we have to try that, too," so I just ordered it. She offers nice tips, too, on planning menus, setting a nice table, arranging flowers, etc. And I like her philosophy of cooking with a few good ingredients, preferably seasonal (although not every recipe is simple and a few ...more
I've made three recipes from this book in the last week and have found them all OUTSTANDING: Tuscan Lemon Chicken, Pasta with Pecorino & Pepper, and Orange-Pecan Wild Rice. I like Garten's non-nonsense approach to cooking, relying on fresh, basic ingredients. She has several wonderful lists in her book, including "Top 10 Things NOT to serve at a Dinner Party" and "10 no-cook things to serve for Dessert." Her recipes are well-written, and include "tips" to fill in t...more
made the garlic bread this weekend and it was wonderful!! minor changes i would suggest: use 1/4 cup of olive oil instead of 1/2 cup, feel free to skip on the fresh oregano if not keen (you get enough flavour from parsley and garlic) and can prepare using a blender instead of food processor if you're like me and struggle with turing on your food processor (note: i also had to add a little olive oil in the blender for liquid)
i have a recipe for chicken stock that i've been following ...more
i have a recipe for chicken stock that i've been following ...more
I like Ina Garten's cookbooks, but I don't usually end up actually making many of the recipes. They are simple, with few ingredients and instructions that are clear and easy to follow, yet for some reason I can't usually picture myself adding them to my recipe "rotation." Maybe they are just too sophisticated for me; I don't know. Still, I would recommend her cookbooks. I'd describe her cooking style as fresh, simple, sophisticated, European, and focused on entertaining.
I think I have over 200 cookbooks now and this one is in my top ten. You need to try the Parker's Beef Stew recipe and the Shrimp Scampi recipes for sure. Marinating the beef in red wine 24 hours prior to cooking is just one of the wonderful layers of flavor in the Beef Stew. The shrimp scampi is just so darn easy to make, it is great for company served with a homemade fettucini alfredo on the side. Not the most calorie friendly meal but worth every bite!
I just picked up this book today and love it! The pictures are beautiful, and the recipes all look great. I have yet to actually try a recipe, but I don't think I will be disappointed. What I really like about the book is that it isn't just a book of recipes, but Ina includes stories with each recipe along with helpful notes on each page. And there are sections that teach you more about cooking in general, including an FAQ at the back.
I made the grilled lemon chicken recipe and it was fantastic. There is also a grilled pork recipe I am definitely going to try. I also drooled over the fantastic photographs that made me want to cook all of it.
That said ... this is a cookbook for special occasion cooking. It has simple, delicious sounding recipes that are mostly easy to make. The problem is that much of their deliciousness includes casually adding two sticks of butter and a container of creme fresh. I will do so ...more
That said ... this is a cookbook for special occasion cooking. It has simple, delicious sounding recipes that are mostly easy to make. The problem is that much of their deliciousness includes casually adding two sticks of butter and a container of creme fresh. I will do so ...more
I have a fabulous sister-in-law who never fails to amaze me with her fantastic cooking and recipes. And the "Barefoot Contessa" is one of her favorites. So when I saw this book sitting all by itself at the library yesterday, I had to pick it up. And last night I sat in bed with a stack of post-it notes and marked every delicious recipe that I wanted to try. It is going to be a good day! Come on over....
A staple for any kitchen, this cookbook is so fun and easy to use. Prepared foods are well-documented with gorgeous photography, and recipes are laid out in a manner that is extremely simple to follow. Many of the dishes included are classics, updated with a twist, as is Ms. Garten's trademark style of cooking. This cookbook really is a must-read for chefs of all levels of skill.
-- Meagan
-- Meagan
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.
When i first started watching Ina's show, i thought she was a little intimidating. Boy was i wrong! As this fantastic book proves, she (and her recipes) are casual, easy to follow, & fun. It's a great gift for any newlywed or novice cook because it's filled with everyday meals & simple, delicious party fare. I use it almost weekly. Excellent for entertaining & tablescape ideas as well.
This book changed the way I think about cooking. Ina proves that cooking doesn't need to be complicated; there are simple ways to achieve maximum flavor. I particularly like her short lists of tips with headings like "10 Things Not to Serve at a Dinner Party" and "Top 10 flavor boosters". Try the roasted shrimp cocktail -- it's one of the easiest dishes, and so amazing!
I love the show and this cookbook has recipes that I recognized from watching The Barefoot Contessa. The photographs are beautiful and appetizing. The recipes seem fairly straightforward and manageable. I am thinking about trying a few. I am definitely putting this cookbook on my wishlist, since the copy I read was from the library. I can't wait to try some of the tasty treats :-)
Tonight I was watching an episode of Barefoot Contessa on FoodTv and I realized how much I enjoy learning from Ina Garten. She's a no-nonsense cook and a great teacher.
The episode included a recipe for chicken bouillabaisse with a rouille - a garlicky mayonnaise. I remembered I hadn't reviewed a few of her cookbooks and quickly scanned the index with the hope of finding the recipe for the bouillabaisse(pg.111). It's a great recipe with layers of flavor.
In another episode...more
The episode included a recipe for chicken bouillabaisse with a rouille - a garlicky mayonnaise. I remembered I hadn't reviewed a few of her cookbooks and quickly scanned the index with the hope of finding the recipe for the bouillabaisse(pg.111). It's a great recipe with layers of flavor.
In another episode...more
Lots of wonderful wonderful recipes, ones that I've forgotten about. Serves as a great reminder.
Ina's included some of my favorite dishes:
Sweet potato fries -- I tried this both roasted and fried. Roasted is better.
Wild mushroom risotto -- I think of risotto as a side dish, but Ina places it as a main dinner dish which also works. Yummy!
Coq au vin -- I will always think of this as the purple chicken dish. Looks odd at first, but I promise it's very good. A ...more
Ina's included some of my favorite dishes:
Sweet potato fries -- I tried this both roasted and fried. Roasted is better.
Wild mushroom risotto -- I think of risotto as a side dish, but Ina places it as a main dinner dish which also works. Yummy!
Coq au vin -- I will always think of this as the purple chicken dish. Looks odd at first, but I promise it's very good. A ...more
I found a delicious potato salad recipe in this book - so yummy, in fact, that I have to find it again! I really like the style and the photos are gorgeous. The layout is very clean and enticing, and Ina Garten's writing voice is warm and friendly. I definitely want to add this to my permanent cookbook collection one day.
If you are much of a cook at all, you probably have all these recipes in your toolbox already. I picked up a few tips for upping my game but I'm not tempted to purchase this. Much prefer Barefoot in Paris. It did inspire me to perfect my Coq au Vin recipe...using Julia Child's recipe as the starting point!
Slightly less compelling than Ina's usual, but still very awesome. I tend to enjoy her text, and this one was light on that, although I did enjoy her lists suchas "10 things NOT to serve at a dinner party." The breakfast chapter alone should get four stars, but the remainder of the book brings it down just a notch.
I feel like I've improved my culinary capabilities 10-fold (thanks to Jenni) and so simply. I mean simple stuff like one each of my heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, with balsamic and good olive oil. And, using shaved salt and pepper....no more sodium-free household for us! So simple, so yummy, so beautiful!
Hands down, Ina Garten is my favorite chef ever. I have wow'd many a people with her awesome recipes. I usually tweak said recipes, because she is quite fond of salt and I am not. Aside from that, I love this lady, I want to meet this lady and chillax with her and her homies in the Hamptons.
I am a huge Barefoot Contessa fan, but this one is not worth the money. SHe goes through basic recipes like the BLT and essentially says "buy expensive bread, bacon, mayo and grow your own darn tomato and lettuce". Gee, thanks. Anyway, Ina, I think you're better than this cook book!
I've enjoyed spending time with this cookbook. My mom and I found it while browsing the week of Thanksgiving, and had to pick it up. We made the warm butternut squash salad and the date bread. Yum! Lots of potential in this cookbook. Great, simple things for cooks of all levels.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
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 herse...more
More about Ina Garten...
Garten had no formal training; she taught herse...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
