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

Maybe this makes me a big ol' anti-feminist bigot, but it's hard to trust a serious recipe book author who is pin-thin. A passion for food, flavor, and sensual enjoyment shows in a cook book author's presence. Ina Garten is no light weight when it comes to cook books and thank goodness for that.

This book is lovely: easy recipes, gorgeous photography, large format, no ingredients or processes are too exotic for the average cook to try. It's unassuming, simply presented, and the results are world-class.

As a fan of Ina's TV show on Food Network, buying this book was a no-brainer. Now this cookbook has earned a permanent spot on my kitchen counter! The recipes are simple and flavorful, and I can always turn to this book when I need a quick meal. The coconut layer cake is a huge crowd pleaser and I adore the cheddar scones. The recipes are basic enough for new cooks, yet still special enough for a holiday meal or dinner party. I recommend it highly!

I have made the chicken salad veronique recipe many times from this book. It's very good for parties and is even better with my own addition of dried cranberries and pecans. The orange-honey glazed carrots are also out of this world. I have been making a very similar recipe from Martha Stewart for years. A great way to get the kids to eat the veggies when they taste like candy. Aside from the potato salad and maybe the chicken piccata (though I already have a million recipes for that) there isn't anything else in the book I would really make. I cook primarily for the immediate family and they aren't clamoring for things like duck, blue and goat cheese, cornish hens, and roasted peppers. The family likes their lasagna with pasta not show more portobello mushrooms, thank you very much. There is also more than one recipe for lobster. I am sure Ina can afford it. Have you priced lobster these days? Yikes!, not on our everyday budget. This is definitely a foodie gourmet book. As an aside I was very disappointed to find out that Ina turned down the make a wish foundation. They should have asked Giada. I recently saw her in person and she was every bit as nice in person as she seems on TV. I will not be purchasing from Ina in the future. show less

Great recipes with a short intro to each one. She writes like she talking to you. Several great short stories on shopping, creating a menu, decorating and much more.

Contrary to its title, I am never inspired to make the Barefoot Contessa's recipes again and again. Not that I don't like her. But she seems to have such a strong following of people who love her, and I just don't like her as much as they do. How about Nigella Lawson? James Beard? Even Rachel Ray is more fun to read, though she puts together some odd combinations.

Love her potato salad! I give this 4 stars because I was hoping for more meals in this cookbook, but there were only a few. Still, the photos are fabulous, and this is a must keep!

The recipes are always reliable and EASY. Everything is delicious. The photos are beautiful and directions perfect. It's great that the index for all the books is on her website.