I spent the entire evening visiting with Ina and Jeffrey (we’re old friends as I have every one of her books, well, I mean I spent the entire evening reading her new book).
barefoot contessa~ how easy is that?
is true to what Ina does best and why we love her- full beautiful photos, laughing with friends, Jeffrey peppered among the pages and doable recipes for any ability. She invites us to pull up a chair and offers us a glass of wine in her signature goblets. We are home.
Her philosophy in this book is ~
~easy ingredients
~easy shortcuts
~easy techniques
~easy menus
~easy recipes
~no stress
No wonder we feel so at ease in her kitchen.
She whets our appetites with Pink Grapefruit Margaritas (page 37) garnished simply with half a lime circle. Lovely. Gives tips on planning a menu, good equipment, setting the table, and serving dinner in her no-hassle, relaxed style.
Pure Ina.
I highly recommend her recipe for Steakhouse Steaks (page 138) for filet mignons done to perfection. It’s the only way I cook them since finding this recipe about a year ago on the Food Network. I’m glad to find it here in a more permanent home.
People also rate it 5 stars out of 5.
If you do try the steak recipe the Roquefort Chive Sauce (page 139) and the Cornmeal Fried Onion Rings are great accompaniments and are killer, plain and simple.
Of course, dessert leaves a wonderful taste in our mouths as the last section with red velvet cupcakes that only use 1 Tbl. of red food color instead of the usual 1 to 2 bottles (very sensible, don’t you think?) and fleur de sel caramels (page 239).
I look forward to spattered pages from bubbly concoctions and whirling mixers with my secret notes hidden in the columns to match my other books by Ina.
Are you an Ina fan like me? 🙂
Okay, after I recovered from falling over in shock and jealousy that you are BFFs w/ Ina and Jeffrey, I continued reading. 😀 HOW did you get your cookbook the day prior to its release? I’m jealous!
I checked w/ Amazon and my book is on its way. Can’t wait. LOVE Ina. Jeffrey, too. I wonder if she would notice if I took up residency in her cooking barn?
Carole ~ hahaha. 😉 I pre-ordered it months ago from Amazon. Maybe that made a difference. I read that Jennifer Garner wanted to be on her show since she is a big fan but Ina said she only invites her real friends. That’s my gal. Keeping it real. 🙂 xoxo
You’ll also notice there isn’t one person under fifty photographed in this book. My girl Ina ‘represents’!! 🙂 xoxo
I don’t buy cookbooks any more…at 66, with over 500 cookbooks, I’m in the process of giving them away. I don’t cook that much any more and I get so many good recipes online or on blogs. I enjoy reading about them, though!
Im a fan, love collecting books and dreaming of cooking meals some day. Gonna be on my Christmas list for sure.
I love Ina and Jeffrey!
She is coming to my local Williams-Sonoma today and I really want to go during my lunch break but they are expecting over 500 people! I would never make it there, meet her and back in time. 🙁
But I have all of her books and love her show. She is so classy!
YUM! It all sounds delicious!
I love her too! I added this to my Christmas list a few weeks ago!
I love Ina Garten’s books and I am hoping to pick up my copy today! I have the best success whenever I make any of her recipes.
Love, Love, LOVE Ina! I definitely need to grab this book!
I have got to get my hands on this book, Ina is just wonderful! I have never gone wrong with one of her recipes!
Ok .. I must really get her books.. yes plural .. I’m late on discovering this great cuisine Goddess … all I have been reading on her .. has made me a fan even before sampling the wonderful recipes!!! xo HHL
First of all, can’t wait to get this book – LOVE Ina!
Secondly, I just found your blog via Entertaining House. Why have I never read it before?!? Fabulous! My 2 year old and I are under the weather (so can’t peruse as usual) but can’t wait to sit down and read more posts:)
Oh, I am so jealous! I can’t wait to get this book. I seldom get to see Ina on television, but I can honestly say that I love all her cookbooks. Every recipe I’ve ever tried from one of them has turned out perfectly delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about cooking from one of her cookbooks.
I have this on my xmas list…tho it’s a shame she hasnt booked a Toronto signing :O(
I love Ina!! Too many times (while my house was under construction) did I envision myself having quaint dinner parties just like she does! Now, that we’re finally moved in I’m off to buy this book so I can finally have those parties!! yay!!! thanx for the review! Btw: I LOVE your blog!!! 😀
RN Sane ~ OMGoodness! I bet people would love to buy some. Have you thought of eBay? 🙂
Frau ~ Some of my best intentioned meals have been the best. 😉
Southern L. Lover ~ Hmmm. I think I feel a sudden headache coming on at lunch time. 😉
Henley ~ So many yummy and simple desserts too. 🙂
Katie ~ You will not be disappointed! 🙂
Lisa ~ I hope you enjoy it! How can you not! 🙂
P. Preppy in Pink ~ I hope you can get it this week. 🙂
Lily ~ I really don’t think there is one bad recipe in her books. 🙂
HHL ~ Do you get the Food Network? You can catch up on her shows there. 🙂
Shannon ~ Thank you! Hope you both feel better soon! 🙂
T & C Mom ~ We not see Ina regularly but don’t you feel welcomed back into her gorgeous barn? 🙂
Suburban Princess ~ You never know! I’ll have to see is she is coming out west too. Probably SF if at all. 🙂
Life Style loves ~ She does seem to have the most gracious friends and thank you for the nice compliment! 🙂
I love her, and she has the best recipes too!! I guess this will be another cookbook on my shelf.
XOXO
Love love LOVE Ina! The only cook books I use; can’t wait to get this one. Santa?
Best,
Colleen
Now this is my kind of cookbook, Love The barefoot Contessa!!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena