Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again [Hardcover]

Ina Garten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2006

Throughout the years that she has lived and worked in East Hampton, Ina Garten has catered and attended countless parties and dinners. She will be the first to tell you, though, that nothing beats a cozy dinner, surrounded by the people you love most, in the comfort that only your own home can provide. In Barefoot Contessa at Home, Ina shares her life in East Hampton, the recipes she loves, and her secrets to making guests feel welcome and comfortable.

For Ina, it’s friends and family–gathered around the dinner table or cooking with her in the kitchen–that really make her house feel like home. Here Ina offers the tried-and-true recipes that she makes over and over again because they’re easy, they work, and they’re universally loved. For a leisurely Sunday breakfast, she has Easy Cheese Danishes or Breakfast Fruit Crunch to serve with the perfect Spicy Bloody Mary. For lunch, she has classics with a twist, such as Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto Paninis and Old-Fashioned Potato Salad, which are simply delicious. Then there are Ina’s homey dinners–from her own version of loin of pork stuffed with sautéed fennel to the exotic flavors of Eli’s Asian Salmon. And since Ina knows no one ever forgets what you serve for dessert, she includes recipes for outrageously luscious sweets like Peach and Blueberry Crumble, Pumpkin Mousse Parfait, and Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing.

Ina also lets readers in on her time-tested secrets for cooking and entertaining. Get the inside scoop on everything from what Ina considers when she’s designing a kitchen to menu-planning basics and how to make a dinner party fun (here’s a hint: it doesn’t involve making complicated food!).

Along with beautiful photographs of Ina’s dishes, her home, and the East Hampton she loves, this book is filled with signature recipes that strike the perfect balance between elegance and casual comfort. With her most indispensable collection yet, Ina Garten proves beyond a shadow of doubt that there truly is no place like home.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Garten's fifth cookbook (after Barefoot in Paris) follows her surefire formula: uncomplicated but elegant recipes for the home cook whose priority is spending time with friends and family, not in the kitchen. From breakfast to dessert, the Food Network star organizes this volume by meal, with an easy-to-navigate recipe list at the top of each section. Many entries provide a creative alternative to the basics: the Summer Borscht—which calls for fresh beets, cucumber and chicken stock—will make a cool, flavorful substitute for the predictable bowl of gazpacho, and the mayonnaise-based Jon Snow's Fish Salad—freshly roasted white fish filets (e.g., halibut) distinguished by the addition of diced fennel—will supersede tuna salad. But some of Garten's "feel-good" foods barely warrant inclusion—her recipe for Sunday Morning Oatmeal barely elevates the instructions on the Quaker canister. If not always inventive, these recipes (e.g., Cornish Hens with Cornbread Stuffing) should be reliable for seasoned but time-pressed or ambitious but inexperienced cooks. Striking a warm, personal tone, Garten also includes advice on designing a kitchen, making a grocery list, planning a menu and where to shop and dine in the Hamptons. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ina Garten is the author of four previous cookbooks, which have sold more than three million copies: The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Parties!, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, and Barefoot in Paris. Ina is also the star of the Food Network Show Barefoot Contessa, and her new line of cake mixes, marinades, and condiments can now be found at specialty food stores across America. She lives in East Hampton, New York, and New York City with her husband, Jeffrey. Visit Ina at www.barefootcontessa.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400054346
• ISBN-13: 978-1400054343
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.9 x 10.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (159 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Entertaining
  • #37 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > U.S. Regional
  • #39 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Special Occasions

More About the Author

In 1978, Ina Garten left her job as a budget analyst in the White House to pursue her dream of operating a specialty food store in the Hamptons. She is a frequent contributor to major national magazines and writes a recurring column in O Magazine. Her new television series on entertaining can be seen on Food Network. Ina lives in East Hampton, New York, and Southport, Connecticut, with her husband, Jeffrey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

314 of 323 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Value, October 27, 2006

By 

Jay K. "just a thought..." - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again (Hardcover)

As the owner of a whole 'lotta cookbooks, I sometimes have to explain my theory of cookbooks to my husband. In the case of "Barefoot Contessa at Home", the recipe for Easy Cheese Danish is a perfect example. This recipe uses 6 ingredients plus seasonings. It can be made the night before you need it. Both of which translate into making my life easier. And it can be enjoyed by our family and our holiday guests for years to come. If you break down the cost of the book as to how many times we'll use just that one recipe, you'll see what a great value it really is.

And, of course, there are many more recipes included that make it even better. Most of the recipes are a creative version of standard fare, like a coleslaw that uses blue cheese or the jalapeno cheddar cornbread or the Chicken Salad Veronique. The book includes chapters entitled soup and sandwiches; salads; dinner; vegetables; dessert; breakfast; and others.

And I like it that Ms. Garten includes a recipe for "Chicken with Goat Cheese and Basil" that can be prepared in 10 minutes when, as she puts it "I'm too tired to cook." I LOVE recipes like that.

And, what about the "frozen berries with hot white chocolate"? Looking forward to trying that.

Plus, Barefoot Contessa at Home includes menu suggestions, which are helpful if you're in a hurry or need inspiration. Each recipe is partnered by a beautiful photograph so you can see what you're making and how it should look.

I like her style, I like her recipes and I like her cookbook.

270 of 285 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ina changed my life!, October 26, 2006

By 

GreenGirl (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again (Hardcover)

I cook because of Ina. Before I found her first cookbook, I cooked infrequently. I knew the basics, but I didn't have simple, great tasting recipes that I enjoyed making on a regular basis. Ina changed my life with her books, and my friends and family thank her for it!

I'm one of those people that needs to have a photo of the finished product, and Ina delivers beautiful images, encouraging you to give the recipe a try. Her recipes were easy and each one was a tasty success, I have slowly devoured my way through her books.

I am thrilled with this new one, and just with the first pass through it, I've found 14 recipes I'd like to try immediately!

I am a little surprised by comments made by one of the other reviewers, (which is why I am now writing my first review for Amazon.) They had issue with Ina's liberal use of butter and salt, the cost of the book, her crediting recipes to other people, Ina's suggestions for grocery shopping, etc. How funny!

Part of Ina's charm and fabulous tasting food results from copious amounts of butter and salt. If you have an issue with it, you probably shouldn't make those recipes. (She has plenty of recipes that don't have butter in them, but they aren't as tasty!)

Why someone would complain about the cost of the cookbook baffles me. The retail cost of the books is $35, (I pre-ordered it for $20.35) It is a wonderful book with exquisite photos, and if you say it has only 80 recipes, I'll take your word for it. Would you rather sit in front of the TV, watching her show and writing down the recipes? I feel this is the type of book that because it is so beautiful, would be a lovely gift, let alone a welcome addition to anyone's kitchen.

Each chef and their cookbooks are unique, and Ina's style fits perfectly into my kitchen. I just hope that Ina keeps producing more books so I can keep expanding my list of recipes!

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More cooking pleasure from Ina, April 25, 2007

By 

Toni "the bookworm" (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again (Hardcover)

So...........where do I start? The sharp, beautiful, glossy photography that entices you to make each delicious recipe? The welcoming and carefree pictures of Ina and Jeffrey's beautiful home that are the background for this book? The helpful hints and encouragement from Ina? The use of fresh veggies and fruit to make each meal so good to eat? It's hard to figure out which to place first, but regardless of where you want to begin, you'll find yourself at ease.

Ina just seems to get better and better with each volume of gastronomic delights, even when you think she has already given us the best. Her fifth venture into the publishing world is no less wonderful than her first four.

She has broken down her book into six main categories of cooking (soup and sandwich, salads, dinner, veggies, dessert, breakfast) then ties it all up with an interesting addendum of "if you're visiting the Hamptons" which is a tribute, of sorts, to all the lovely places she goes to in the Hamptons, to see and smell and taste and enjoy; much appreciated, good friend! The book flows as such:

INTRODUCTION
This is a really friendly introduction that helps you get caught up with her casual approach to planning, her path to this career change, and all the little hints and idea's that you can incorporate to make any get-together with family and friends all that more fun and memorable. She also gives you 2 quick recipes for getting guests to unwind and snack until all is ready for the main event, and they are Fresh Whiskey Sours, and Green Herb Dip. She then gives you a little help in how to plan your grocery list and the actual shopping.

SOUP AND SANDWICHES
California BLT's
Summer Borscht
Caesar Club Sandwich
Mexican Chicken Soup
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Ribollita
Smoked Salmon and Egg Salad Tartines
Garlic Croutons, Chicken Stock
Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese Sandwiches
Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup (superb!!)
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto Panini
Shrimp Bisque
Seafood Stock
Honey White Bread

SALADS
Planning Outdoor Parties
Heirloom Tomatoes with Blue Cheese Dressing
Chicken Salad Veronique
Grilled Tuna Salad
Bibb Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing
Jon Snow's Fish Salad
Roasted Shrimp and Orzo
Pesto Pea Salad
Warm Duck Salad
Tomato Feta Salad
Blue Cheese Coleslaw (a must if you're a cheesehead!)
Guacamole Salad
Old-Fashioned Potato Salad

DINNER
Making An "Important" Dinner
Blue Cheese Burgers
Cornish Hens with Cornbread Stuffing
Chicken Piccata
Lamb Kebobs with Couscous
Couscous with Pine Nuts
Roast Capon
Loin of Pork with Fennel
Stuffed Cabbage (sooo easy and such a standard!!)
Rib-eye Steaks with Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings
Portobello Mushroom Lasagna
Chicken with Goat Cheese and Basil
Seafood Gratin
Eli's Asian Salmon
Lemon Fusilli with Arugula
Summer Garden Pasta
Seared Tuna with Mango Chutney
Easy Lobster Paella

VEGETABLES
Garlic and Herb Tomatoes
Orange-Honey Glazed Carrots
Broccolini and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Zucchini Pancakes
Herbed Basmati Rice
Green, Green Spring Vegetables
Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Stewed Lentils and Tomatoes
Paremesan-Roasted Cauliflower
Creamy Rosemary Polenta
Broccoli Rabe with Garlic
Maple Baked beans
Mustard Roasted Potatoes
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Herb-Roasted Onions

DESSERTS (the best part of ANY meal!!)
How she thinks about,defines, and develops recipes
Frozen Berries with Hot White Chocolate
Beatty's Chocolate Cake & Frosting (the BEST chocolate cake ever!)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Mixed Berry Pavlova, Sweetened Whipped Cream, Triple Raspberry Sauce
Coconut Cake
Pumpkin Mousse Parfait
Chocolate Sorbet
Black and White Angel Food Cake
Chocolate Cupcakes and Peanut Butter Icing
Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries
Ultimate Ginger Cookies
Fruitcake Cookies
Peach and Blueberry Crumbles
Pear, Apple and Cranberry Crisp
Summer Fruit Crostata
Caramel Pecan Sundaes

BREAKFAST
Designing a kitchen
Tri-berry Muffins
Cranberry Orange Scones
Chunky Banana Bran Muffins
Easy Cheese Danish
Omelet for Two
Scrambled Eggs and Salmon
Maple-Roasted Bacon
Breakfast Fruit Crunch (this is a quick and delicious idea)
Sunday Morning Oatmeal
Blueberry Crumb Cake
Anna's Orange Marmalade
Irish Soda bread
Fresh Peach Bellini's
Spicy Bloody Mary's

"If You're Visiting The Hampton's"........

Menu's for All Ooccasions

Index

Recipe Index