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24th out of 696 books
—
663 voters
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...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
April 6th 1999
by Clarkson Potter
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A good collection of simple recipes, but one star off because some of the recipes are just too simple. There are entire recipes devoted to things that could be accomplished with a note instead. For example, a recipe for roasted carrots and nearly identical recipe for roasted brussels sprouts. An entire recipe devoted to boiled potatoes dressed with salt, pepper and olive oil or sugar snap peas with sesame oil. Pages and pages about arranging platters of fruit or desserts. It just feels like so m...more
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
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...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.
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...more
The recipes in this book turn out perfectly EVERY time and I've made over half of them. Buy it.
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...more
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 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.
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.
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.
Feb 05, 2011
Linda
added it
Love love love Ina! I do believe this is the book of hers that has a recipe for coconut cupcakes that I made last Easter. I swear, they were heaven! It made a big splash and I couldn't believe that I had done it myself! She is so easy and clear and beautiful pictures.
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!!!
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...more
All of the recipes have pictures and clear instructions. The dishes always turn out amazingly well and are easy to make. Ingredients are easy to find and often, there is a lead-in about the recipe as well as useful information in the beginning of the book.
Good recipes. Great ideas. Combines food in unusual and successful ways--but too much fat, and often not enough seasoning. That said, I have several of her recipes as go-to buffet line items that never fail.
This cookbook changed how I cook. The focus on high quality ingredients and simple preparation is refreshing. Every recipe I've made from this book has turned out perfectly. The potato salad is amazing.
Love all recipes I've made. But I'm not sure I really need detailed instructions on how to make a fruit or veggie platter. Other than that I would've given four stars at least.
Good but not nearly as inspiring as her later cookbooks (this was her first I believe.) Barefoot Contessa at Home is the best one! I felt these were more catering recipes.
Not only are Ina's cookbooks full of accessible recipes that are fun & delicious to make but as an author she is interesting & entertaining to read as well. Love me some Ina.
Dec 07, 2010
Katy
added it
Every recipe in the damn book is so pretentious and involved, therefore making people who like them self indulgent stepford jokes. My grandmother would be displeased.
My favorite out of all of the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks. Lots of pictures, easy to follow recipes, and easy to find ingredients. Made every recipe in this book and all were delicious!
Great cookbook - tons of fresh and relatively easy recipes. So far the desserts haven't blown me away, but that might be my fault - baking at altitude is hard!
I have lots of cookbooks on my shelf...but I find that this is the one I cook from most. All the recipes I've made have been easy and turned out excellent.
There isn't anything I have tried in here I haven't liked. All of her ingredients are fresh and easy to find. Ina is one of my top 3 cooks!
My first Contessa, from 1999, thx to B. Favorites: parmesan smashed potatoes made for most holidays. Also, grilled lemon chicken and satay dip
The recipes are easy to follow. The pictures are beautiful and helpful. The writing is wonderful. All that aside, this cookbook is evil. Enjoy.
Great cook book without a doubt. All of her recipes are tested often so you will love her recipes. I have not made one that wasn't excellent.
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
This is the book that got me hooked on Ina Garten. Every recipe I've tried has worked and been yummy. A keeper.
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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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