elegant, simple, a refined focus on quality ingredients--the book is ina's philosophy on food, the short-form version

Ina Garten's cookbooks do everything you need. If I didn't have any technique in the kitchen and had to pick a cookbook to last forever (or in this case, a series) it would be hers. Rich, lovely recipes that are very approachable. Beginners can follow along; experts can take some of her suggestions and run with them. I almost always get rave reviews for anything I make from these books and I have made or eaten a large portion of them. It is very hard to find cookbooks that can provide you recipes for every course without compromising the dessert. Not our dear Mrs. Garten - the baking recipes in this books are EXCELLENT.

She's right, you know; the world can be a better place with an extra pound of butter and some hellman's mayo.

The one that started it all. Genius. Changed my life.

I own over a hundred cookbooks as a

This is the first cookbook written by Ina Garten (published in 1979), and based exclusively on the recipes she used at her Barefoot Contessa shop on Long Island. At that point, she had owned the shop for 20 years.

A couple of interesting notes about this cookbook. Ina uses a LOT of butter in virtually all of her recipes, but that's no surprise to those of us watching her on Food Network and reading her other cookbooks. Because the recipes are based on her cooking and baking at her gourmet shop, most of the recipes are designed to feed 8-10 (or 12!) people, and not very useful for those of us trying to cook for our smaller families. She mentions that quite a few of the ingredients are available at food specialty stores, which was definitely the case in 1999; however, most of these ingredients are now available at any grocery story (progress!!).

The photographs are beautiful, but not every recipe has an accompanying picture. In fact, some of the more complex recipes should have had a photograph, but didn't. She does give instructions (and photos) of how to make a platter -- fruit and cheese, roasted vegetables, crudites, fresh fruit, and desserts.

It's a beautiful book to look at, but the only way that I'm going to try any of these recipes is if I cut it in half or more!

Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.

I adore Ina Garten, and some of her recipes are longtime favorites... unfortunately, none of those recipes are in her first book. Published in 1999, it was the age of full-on Martha Stewart bullsh+t and fancy dinner parties to impress. I'm glad the times--and Ina--have evolved. (As for Martha, she remains irrelevant and full of bullsh+t.)

after reading her memoir, had to read her first cookbook. outrageous brownies are really that good!

I love Ina Garten and all of her books and this one is amazing, as can be expected. The only thing I don't like about it is that there are only a few recipes that I'd actually use on a regular basis. You could easily check this out from a library, copy down the few recipes you like and save some money.

I thought I'd write a quick review that I apparently missed writing when I first bought this gem of a cookbook. It was my go-to cookbook for the soups, side dishes, and desserts, which is what I enjoy making. But I remember her maple scones the most and the corn chowder. Since this first cookbook, she has published many others that might be even better!

My two favorite recipes remain: her brownie recipe (!) and her Lemon Bars w/a shortbread crust (!!).

I love this cookbook and often flip through it just for ideas and the pictures. The Fresh Corn Salad, Parmesan Croutons, Pan-Fried Onion Dip, Sun-Dried Tomato Dip, Lemondade and Outrageous Brownies were incredible. There are also several other recipes on my "to try" list. I just really like Ina and her party attitude. I love to entertain and having the food done before people arrive.

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook By Ina Garten This is a beautifully illustrated cookbook. The colored pictures have really helped my in food presentation. I continue to make the home made granola receipe, it's very good. I've watched Ina on the cooking channel, so having her cookbook is fun.

These recipes were a bit too complicated and advanced for me.