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The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: member book reviews

(7 reviews)

I love Ina and cook her recipes more than those from any other cookbook. But...I have to say of her six books, this is actually my least favorite. While there are some tried and true recipes like the Pan Fried Onion Dip, Indonesian Ginger Chicken, Turkey Meatloaf and Smashed Potatoes, I actually use all of her other books more. Besides the Outrageous Brownies, this book has the fewest dessert recipes I make. It's a keeper, but not the best.

I was secretly wishing that the Challenge wouldn't be this cookbook, but was happy that I was 'forced' to go back to it because it was, but the other books are much better to cook from.

(edited 4th November 2011) report

This is the first Barefoot Contessa cookbook that I've used, and I have to say I'm glad I did not purchase. The recipes are lovely, they seem to work, but most had so much fat, and made such a quantity of food that they did not motivate me to cook.

I know I'm in the minority - Ina Garten's books are very popular, very well liked, and many people have good success with them. But this one is just are not the cookbook for me.

(edited 4th November 2011) report

The book as advertised has mostly simple to prepare dishes that produce large quantities and are ideal for entertaining. Many are classic dishes that most people have probably cooked before, but some were new and unique. I particularly like the soups as they were flavorful and lower in fat. I also like her appetizers partially because they produce a reasonable volume for a small family. The recipes worked well, or if they didn't it was my fault. Many of her recipes were much higher in fat than I would like to cook with like the mashed potatoes and the cookies The pictures are gorgeous, but I would like to have more pictures of food from the recipes and less generic produce pictures. This would not be a cookbook that I would turn to weekly even. But I will try more recipes for holidays or entertaining like her meat recipes, and I will look forward to cooking again the Schezuan noodles, curried cous cous, roast chicken and the soups.

(edited 3rd November 2011) report

This is my first book by Ina Garten. I am happy to have it in my collection as it is a very nice cookbook with many good looking recipes that I look forward to trying. The photography is beautiful, also. I have tried 3 recipes so far and they all have turned out well. I did have to divide one in half though. That is why I gave this a 4 rating---some recipes are too large for my family of two. Would be good for larger crowds. You won't be disappointed in this book.

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This is the first Ina Garten Cookbook that I've ever purchased. I love it, but now that I own all her recent ones...this one doesn't have quite the spectacular photography of her newer ones. I'm glad I got to revisit the index of this book, as there are several recipes I need to make.

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This is my first Barefoot Contessa cookbook. So far, I haven't had the opportunity to cook much out of it. The recipes I have tried have made enormous quantities, too much for my small family. I think the Contessa entertains a lot more than I do.

Having said that, these are classic favorites, well presented with nice photos. Even if I don't cook out of this book all the time, I'd definitely keep it around for family gatherings, holiday meals and other occasions.

(edited 19th March 2012) report

This is Barefoot's first book and it is very good. Well organized with beautiful pictures of the recipes. Simple clear instructions with great results. Thre reason I eagerly awaited her other cookbooks. The roasted eggplant spread is good healthy dip, all my friends have requested the recipe. Good book worth buying.

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