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316th out of 696 books
—
663 voters
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 eas...more
Ina Garten’s bestselling cookbooks have con-sistently provided accessible, subtly sophisticated recipes ranging from French classics made eas...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
October 28th 2008
by Clarkson Potter
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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 recipes all seem...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 recipes all seem...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 book from the front c...more
This latest cookbook of hers is fabulous. First of all it's a beautiful book from the front c...more
I checked out a bunch of her cookbooks - and out of four of them I found maybe three recipes I would make. They all looked delicious, but just for various reasons I probably won't be making most of them. I sure enjoyed looking at all the pictures, though, and dreaming of eating her food. I also read most of the text in each book. One book (maybe this one?) had an essay about how she only has the essential pans - and not so many that she can't store them with their lids on. The photo showed some...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 still main...more
I love the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks because Ina Garten's recipes are fairly easy while still main...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 cookbook one o...more
Nora Ephron (Julie & Julia) recently dubbed this cookbook one o...more
I do appreciate the simplicity of the Barefoot Contessa books. This book seems designed to create company-worthy food with a minimum of fuss and muss, and provides great entertaining tips, from cocktails to appetizers to the table setting and flower arranging. Unlike some books which promise simple recipes and don't deliver, everything offered here is really feasible for just about anyone: you can spend the day cleaning your house and still pull off these menus. However, I find the taste doesn't...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 pomegranite c...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 thoughts):...more
We made (and my thoughts):...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 page & a ful...more
The photography is beautiful and the layout is simple and pretty. Since there is one recipe per full page & a ful...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 are faultless and ev...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 are faultless and ev...more
Love this book. Go, Ina! This one seriously came through for me today, as it was my turn to host for bookclub. Everything I made, with the exception of one appetizer, came from this book. I have yet to try one of her breakfast dishes - they look wonderful - but I have tried the "juice of a few flowers" cocktail, the roasted shrimp cocktail, the bruschetta with peppers & gorgonzola, the chocolate-dipped strawberries and the company pot roast. All turned out fabulous and were not terribly diff...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 call for ingredients I'v...more
Jan 12, 2009
Rebecca
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Katie B., Kate L., Sharon
Shelves:
cookbooks
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 the blanks (e.g. HOW to toas...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 for years. be...more
i have a recipe for chicken stock that i've been following for years. be...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 happily for a sp...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 happily for a sp...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, celebrating a 40th ann...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, celebrating a 40th ann...more
B- I was looking for cookbooks for my CSA this year (so when I get sorrel and other random veggies, I know what to do w this) and this was recommended, but I don't think it's what I'm looking for. Some delicious-sounding recipes, though not vegetarian (which is obviously a negative to me). The presentation of the book itself looks great.
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 braised dish.
I love the commentaries...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 braised dish.
I love the commentaries...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.
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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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