The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
by Ina Garten, Martha Stewart
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Book Reviews of The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Book Review: Easy, "Can't Fail", Impressive Recipes
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been watching the Food Network now for several years. What I've observed about Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, is that her recipes usually receive a 5 star rating from Food Network's website. I have yet to be disappointed with any of her recipes that I have prepared. It is so nice to have a compilation of her "go to" recipes simply arranged by type of food (appetizers to desserts). She is unselfish in sharing tips that were acquired during her twenty years of owning and operating an acclaimed specialty food store in the Hamptons. I highly recommend this book ... it is a wonderful collection of dependable classics.
Book Review: Absolutely phenomenal! The best of the best ...
Summary: 5 Stars
Although a recent acquisition, this has already become one of my top favorite (and most-used) cookbooks. The recipes are all tried-and-true, with introductions explaining how each was perfected, why it is so special, etc. -- i.e., everything I love in a cookbook, with the bonus of gorgeous photos.My one and only caution is to remember that this is a chef's cookbook, so be ready to substitute different pans. For example, the delectable (and quick and easy!) roasted vegetable tart calls for a 6-inch cake pan, which I had never even heard of and had no idea where to find. No matter; as it turned out, even my 8-inch cake pans were too small. However, the results were utterly delicious (and no one cared how much overflowed or had to be baked separately), and I just made a note to try a larger pan next time.
I can't even imagine anyone not loving this book. It is beautiful, the recipes are well-tested and utterly delectable, and the descriptions let you know what to expect. Absolutely fantastic.
Book Review: Great book....if you don't know how to cook
Summary: 3 Stars
I ordered this book based on the reviews and from what some friends have said about it. In general, the meals are very, very simple, yet they lack in some flavor even when using premium ingredients and the freshest produce (roasted eggplant dip, spinach pie). I was looking for some entree ideas, that were a bit different and easy for entertaining but some were too basic (bbq chicken, ham, roast chicken, or of my least favorite food items (swordfish, caviar). Ina is very liberal with butter, which is not necessary and does not always produce the best results (1 pound of butter for 14 scones, which were very dry). However, on a positive note, the pictures are wonderful along with her tips on entertaining and presentation. I especially like her ideas of assembling a "country platter" of desserts pick-up at your local bakery). She has a gift for making everything look good, so I really appreciated her advice. In general, I would say that it's a great book for the beginning cook and entertainer.Book Review: Wonderful EVERY time!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Barefoot Contessa has raised the bar on cookbooks. Every recipe I've made in each of her 3 books has come out well if not wonderful! I previously thought this just could not be done because no one else has done it before (in my experience, anyway), but I have lowered expectations no more! There are nice tidbits of advice in each of them (for example, essential items for the kitchen in "Home Cooking"), and her love of food and cooking shines through in all of the books. The recipes are fairly to moderately easy, so this book is not for the weekend gourmet who wants to build a chocolate tower for dessert. But it is for ANYONE who like delicious, well prepared food. After making many of her desserts for a friend's party, I was told I should open a shop. I had to tell them there already is a shop--and it's owned by Ina Garten!
P.S. I met her at a book signing on 2/7 in NY, and she was very kind and personable to everyone in that VERY long line! What a doll!
Book Review: Recognizable Food Raised to Gourmet Level
Summary: 5 Stars
That well describes this book, "Recognizable food raised to a gourmet level." If you're like me who has and reads lots of cookbooks, the recipes here aren't that unique, but they are done with a great deal of sophistication and style, each intensely packed with flavor and presented with class.In he Intro she provides her cuisine approach: "Food is not about impressing people. In fact, it's just the opposite: it's about making them feel comfortable. I invite friends to lunch and make bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. They are the best BLT's I can make." A great approach we all can abide by with our guests. Nonetheless, there are other cookbooks when we like to challenge ourselves and reach out a little and do something different.
Recipes especially fond of serving include: Roasted Vegetable Torte; Shortbread Hearts; Pecan Shortbread; Potato-Fennel Gratin; Sun-Dried Tomato Dip.