Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family Reviews

• Outstanding versions of stand-by foods

  
  By A1TVEM1J35C2BI on 2002-12-18
  I absolutely love this book! The recipes are entirely in keeping with the title... these aren't fancy or earth-shattering innovations, so people who thrive on that may be disappointed (I seem to notice a trend among some of the reviewers who have posted). They're just really wonderful versions of honest, straightforward food. The recipe for chicken and biscuits is the best I've ever made, the chicken soup is outstanding, the roasted winter vegetables are lovely, and the mashed potatoes and gravy are absolutely sinful versions of old favorites.

  As I'm sure you can gather from the previous list, these are recipes for things that you probably already know how to make... it's just that they're absolutely superlative versions of those things. (Much like the chocolate pudding from her Parties! book, if anyone has tried making that: it's just chocolate pudding, after all, but it's heavenly).

  So here's my advice: if you're convinced that you already have the perfect recipe for every standard dish under the sun, this book isn't for you. If, however, you love good food and are willing to contemplate the idea that classic dishes could be even better, give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Furthermore, I think that this would be a wonderful wedding gift or gift to someone who's just starting out: why not begin life with a collection of wonderful recipes for comfort foods?
  
  

• Easy, Classy Comfort Food

  
  By on 2003-02-06
  I don't normally write in to review books, particulary cook books, but this one is an exception. I am an avid gourmet cook and I'm always looking for new cookbooks. However, I hate investing in them because I usually only end up making one or two recipes out of each book and it feels like a waste of money. Within two weeks of getting the Barefoot Contessa book, I had made almost half of the recipes - to raving reviews from family and friends.

  The recipes are easy and fabulous and they can easily be served for a low-key family dinner or a special dinner with company. While they could be considered gourmet, none of the recipes call for exotic ingredients which means everything is already in your pantry or readily available at the grocery store. What I particularly like is that Ina offers menu suggestions in the back of the book so all of the planning is already done for you.

  Most importantly, this book is family friendly. There is a section devoted to children's food including favorites like Mac and Cheese and Chicken Fingers. However, my girlfriend's 2-year old couldn't get enough of the Shrimp Scampi (one of the "adult" recipes) and that was enough to get her to buy the book too.

  I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for easy, delicious recipes for all kinds of occassions.
  
  

• Comfort Foods

  
  By A1RKD1I8MW1LG6 on 2003-03-27
  I loved this book's theme/subtitle: to make all your guests feel like family. The beautiful format and layout, as well as the photos, makes this a cookbook to be treasured. Many of the recipes are simple, basic ones that many of us already have, which is why I gave this four stars instead of five.

  As usual, every recipe I have tried has been a success (Turkey Lasagna, Banana Sour Cream Pancakes, Shrimp Scampi, Rice Pudding, Mustard Vinagrette). I especially love the simple ingredients and the non-fussy style of the cooking. The recipes please my family and myself and keep my time in the kitchen at a minimum, which makes me very happy.

  Although I did not garner as many new recipes from this cookbook as I did her other two, I would not hesitate to give this as a wedding shower gift to a novice cook.

  Looking forward to Ina's next cookbook.
  
  

• Another gem from Ina!!!

  
  By ABX3704SXNU5F on 2006-02-22
  Another wonderful book from the "Barefoot Contessa" lady!!! And this book seems to be her best yet because family is the center of this idea.
  
  Everything within the covers of her latest cooking effort stresses the point of having "family" be the reason for enjoying a good meal and for making great memories. She gave an interesting comment in the opening of this book that families have changed just a wee bit from the "Ozzie and Harriet" years, but that regardless, being with people we love is family enough. And so she helps us to prepare meals that are fun and delicious and easy to make. Plus, the pages of this book are the delicious glossy look, so the absolutely wonderful photography of her dishes just jump out at you with color and desire.
  
  Here is how the book breaks down:
  
  WELCOME HOME:
  This addresses the general points of family entertaining from setting the table and the mood, to how to incorporate traditions without getting it too complicated for simple meals.
  
  PLANNING THE MEALS:
  This deals with schedules, picky eaters, and sudden problems.
  
  STARTERS:
  East Hampton Clam Chowder
  Chicken Noodle Soup
  Roasted Vegetable Soup
  Brioche Croutons
  Smoked Salmon Spread
  Buffalo Chicken Wings
  Tuna Tartare
  Arugala with Parmesan
  Green Salad with Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette
  Endive, Stilton, and Walnuts (absolutely DEE-lish!)
  Parmesan Roasated Asparagus
  
  SALAD FOR LUNCH:
  Chicken with Tabbouleh
  Montauk Seafood Salad
  Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  Lobster Cobb Salad
  Curried Chicken Salad
  Brown Rice, Tomatoes, and Basil
  Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil
  Wheatberry Salad
  Herbal Iced Tea
  
  DINNERS:
  Herb-Roasted Lamb
  Sunday Rib Roast
  Oven-Fried Chicken
  Tequila Lime Chicken
  Saffron Risotto
  Penne Pasta with 5 Cheeses
  Chicken Stew with Biscuits
  Short Ribs
  Fish and Chips
  Lasagna with Turkey Sausage
  Real Meatballs and Spaghetti
  Linguine with Schrimp Scampi
  
  VEGETABLES:
  Roasted Winter Vegetables
  Mashed Yellow Turnips
  String Beans
  Provencal Tomatoes
  Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
  Zucchini with Parmesan
  Sauteed Carrots
  Garlic Sauteed Spinach
  Mashed Butternut Squash
  Sagaponack Corn Pudding
  Wild Rice Pilaf
  Rosemary Polenta
  
  DESSERTS: (always my favorite part of any book):
  Raspberry Cheesecake
  Frozen Key Lime Pie
  Espresso Ice Cream
  Oorange Pound Cake
  Raspberry Orange Trifle
  Rum Raisin Rice Pudding
  Stewed Berries and Ice Cream
  Pumpkin Banana Mousse Tart
  Flag Cake
  Deep-Dish Apple Pie
  Coconut Macaroons
  Lemon Angel Food Cake
  Chocolate Mousse
  Summer Pudding
  Tiramisu
  
  BREAKFAST:
  Blueberry Coffe Cake Muffins
  Banana Sour Cream Pancakes
  Scrambles Eggs, 3 Ways
  Potato Basil Frittata
  Smoked Salmon Frittata
  Challah French Toast
  Hashed Browns
  Bagels with Flavored Cream Cheese
  Chive Biscuits
  Fresh Fruit with Honey Vanilla Yogurt
  
  KIDS:
  Parmesan Chicken Sticks
  Mac and Cheese (defintitely very kid-friendly!)
  Broccoli and Bow Ties
  Fruit Juice Shapes
  Jam Thumbprint Cookies
  Whipped Hot Chocolate
  Homemade Marshmallows
  Toasted Coconut Marshmallows (you'll have SOOO much fun w/ this)
  Birthday Sheet Cake
  
  NINE INGREDIENTS:
  Ina's basic recommended kitchen staples
  
  TEN KITCHEN TOOLS:
  The equipment she feels are your basic needs
  
  MENU'S:
  Menu's for all kinds of events, parties, themes, etc
  
  CREDITS
  INDEX
  RECIPE INDEX
  
  Like many of the other reviewers have already said, the recipes are delicious and easy, and everyone will have a great time if they want to help out. I myself, haven't quite gotten to the seafood recipes yet, in that I am not much of a seafood person, but I have family and friends who are, so they won't be too far down the track. But as for the rest of the dishes, they really are tasty, satisfying and wonderful; you won't be disappointed.
  
  Another note about what I enjoy seeing, that really doesn't have alot to do directly with the book itself, is the caring and emotion behind her love for her husband Jeffrey. In both her show and in her books, you can feel that beautiful and endearing feeling between the two of them when she either speaks of him or he is in the segment. It's a nice testament to marriage to see in this day and age. Oh well, I digress.
  
  Enjoy the dishes and the sense of bonding that cooking with family and friends can bring, courtesy of our Ina.
  
  

• Just like her other books

  
  By on 2003-02-11
  Sure some of Family Style's recipes are basic-- but that's Ina's style. A direct quote from one of her books states that her food is " familiar, but better than you remember". Her first two cookbooks contain the most basic of basic recipes-- things like Roast Chicken, Lemonade, Apple Crisp, Chocolate Cake, Apple Cider, and even a cup of Coffee are all included. How is that so different from Iced Tea, French Toast and Blueberry Muffins? The answer is, it's not. Ina's recipes are hardly, if ever, outlandish. She works at writing recipes for good tasting, approachable, cook-friendly food. That's the point of her work. The food isn't poles apart from food most of us grew up with (other than the fact that it's a hundred times tastier)-- but should she put goat's cheese in her fish and chips, so that she could claim her recipes "different"?

  I personally think Ina to be a terrific cookbook author. I've tried several recipes from her newest book-- Thumbprint Cookies, Banana Sour Cream Pancakes, and Chicken and Biscuit Stew to name a few-- and, as I expected, all were terrific. And when it comes down to it, that's all I expect from a cookbook.
  
  

• the perfect cookbook for friends & family
  By A3C8H2VVJ9Z4N2 on 2002-10-29
  Every recipe that I have tried from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa cookbooks has been a success (and I really mean this). The Apple Crisp and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk cookies from "Parties" are so requested that every family member has learned to make them. The cookies have been named the best cookies ever made by more than one friend. Her newest cookbook "Barefoot Contessa. Family Sytle" has arrived!!! With the same clear, simple instructions, beautiful pictures, and easy layout, this cookbook is full of so many favorite & potentially favorite foods (from a hearty chicken soup to a sophisicated lobster cobb salad - which looks very doable & delicious) that I predict it will be THE favorite cookbook in my kitchen.I have never found a cookbook in which there are so many recipes that I know I will be trying. If her prior cookbooks are an indication, all recipes will turn out to be delicious ( and actually the way they are pictured)! I have a group of teenage girls to feed tonight (including a few vegetarians). Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes or penne with five cheeses? That is the question. Thank you to "the barefoot contessa;" you have made me look forward to cooking again!
  
  
• Easy- but that's the point
  By on 2003-11-07
  For all you complainers out there who claim this book is too 'easy' and not 'gourmet', THAT'S EXACTLY THE POINT!!!!! The cover even says 'Easy ideas and recipes to make everyone feel like family.' To me that indicates that there will not be difficult and challenging food that guests can't even pronounce the name. It's the kind of book that you can depend on when friends and family come over to always be good. It's comfort food and food that you're familiar with while kicking it up a notch. And it's very good comfort food. My father loves the Orange Pound Cake, which can then be turned into a Raspberry Orange Trifle. My mom says the Sagaponack Corn Pudding is better than her own, and my brother can't get enough of the raspberry cheesecake. The Tequila Lime Chicken was enjoyed by everyone. I can't wait to try more recipes for this book. (PS I may only be 12 years old, but I'm still a very good cook, or so people tell me.)
  
  
• Not the best of the three
  By on 2004-07-11
  I've had this book for over a year and have only cooked a few recipes from it. Today I stopped and asked myself why, considering I use her other two books almost religiously! A couple things I figured out

  1) many of the recipes while they are simple, they require last minute sauteing or preparation while your guests are there. I think that's why her other books are great for entertaining -- the recipes allow you to spend time with your guests.

  2) much of the book is taken up by recipes which you probably already know how to make (sauteed carrots, tomato mozzarella and basil salad, sauteed spinach, mashed potatoes, rosemary polenta, roasted winter vegetables, mashed butternut squash).

  3) I'm a vegetarian, and many of the recipes are not vegetarian friendly.

  There are DEFINITELY great recipes in this cookbook, and if you own Ina's other two books, definitely get this one. If you are buying your first Ina Garten cookbook, go for one of the other two.
  
  

• The pros and cons of this one..
  By A1ER5AYS3FQ9O3 on 2003-02-04
  First off, let me say that I use this book often and, for the most part, I absolutely LOVE it. The first recipe I tried, Sagaponack Corn Pudding, was truly different from other corn pudding recipes I'd tried, living up to Garten's promise that it would not be bland - and it wasn't - nor was it too spicy. It had some added flavor thanks to cheddar cheese and fresh basil but those with less experimental tastes could leave out the basil (as I did when we had small children at dinner one evening) and it would still be delicious.
  Another plus to this cookbook: Many of the recipes are not only family-friendly but easy to throw together. There are also plenty of dishes for vegetarians as well as meat eaters, making meal planning easy. Nearly every recipe I tried was wonderful, with the minor exception of the Chicken Noodle Soup (I prefer my recipe).
  Now the caveat: If you like extremely exotic or unusual foods, this may not be the ideal cookbook for you. While there ARE recipes which are new and different (like the Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash or a truly different and yummy Espresso Ice cream, better than any I've had thus far), MOST of the recipes are updated versions of familiar favorites..Rice Pilaf, Hashed Browns, Fried Chicken, etc. Professional or gourmet cooks may want something more challenging.
  But I've had a hard time finding cookbooks which contain tasty recipes I can serve, night after night, and still keep my family happy and well-fed while minimizing my kitchen time. For those purposes, this one fits the bill. And if you happen to have any guests drop in at meal time, you can bet they'll be happy too!
  
  
• Easy, Delicious, what more could you want?
  By A1AJ3U53CI6UJI on 2004-01-21
  This is a fantastic book, as are all of Ina's books. True, this one is easier, but the title indicates family style, which means delicious and simple to me. However, there are some exotic recipes, like Tequila Lime Chicken, Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash, Espresso ice Cream, and a few others, but mainly it's updated classics. And there are many in here that I would make again. The Penne with Five Cheeses is delicious (you can substitue light cream for all of that heavy cream in a pinch and make sure your oven is completely clean to avoid smoke from the 500 degree temperature. We cleaned ours and we had no problem), the chocolate mousse was what my mother described as 'just like mothers.' And my grandmother was famous for her chocolate mousse. All of my friends love the jam thumprints, and my brother's favorite kind of pancakes is now is Banana Sour Cream (the lemon zest in it makes a great addition). The French toast has a great addition of fresh orange zest, and makes a quick breakfast. My dad's favorite is the Orange Pound Cake. He can't get enough. He brought a slice to a friend at work and she said that she wouldn't mind one bit if I made that cake every day. It is our favorite cake to bring to new neighbors, new babies, and the sick. A friend of my mom's just had a baby and we brought her this cake, in which she and her husband literally ate in two days. But my favorite would have to be the Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash. My mom and I both agree that it is just such a comforting and delicious meal. It's just so good. All in all, a great book.
  
  
• Another great job!
  By A9893VADHIIQA on 2003-05-13
  I am happy with Ina Garten's third cookbook & enjoy the other two as well. Yes, the recipes are simple, but that's the joy of the book. No running to four different gourmet grocery stores to find exotic ingredients. That's not always what you're trying to do Tuesday night after work. These are simple dishes made with great ingredients and presented well. Most of the recipies are comfort foods that have been improved on and some others are probably a few combinations you haven't thought of. So far I have tried: Real meatballs & spaghetti, buffalo chicken wings, roasted winter vegetables, parmesan chicken, tequila lime chicken, curried chicken salad, mustard vinaigrette & herbal iced tea (sounds average but is quite good). Everything has turned out extremely well, and she always gives full menu suggestions and pictures. Can't wait for the fourth book!
  
  
• The Best of the Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks
  By A35EIZNWAQD5ZI on 2003-01-19
  Of the three Barefoot Contessa cookbooks, this one is my favorite. Ina Garten's recipes are particularly great for parties, as the vast majority of them are relatively easy and not terribly time consuming. I made a number of these dishes for a New Year's Day party; the turkey lasagne, Buffalo chicken wings and rum raisin rice pudding all got rave reviews from my guests. I also made the shrimp scampi as a quick after work dinner for my husband and myself; it was absolutely to die for. Hands down the best scampi I have ever tasted, at home or in a restaurant. As in her earlier books, most of Garten's desserts and baked goods are heavy on the cream and butter, but most are fabulous. If you're looking for Cooking Light, this book ain't it. But if you're willing to splurge when company is coming, this is really a terrific cookbook.
  
  
• What Happened?
  By on 2002-10-30
  Ms. Garten presents a lovely cookbook and has good ideas for atmosphere, music, etc. But sadly, this book misses the mark. I feel her other books were better and I use many, many recipes from them. There are very few recipes we will be using - the Chicken Soup looks delicious.

  Maybe she's taken on too much with the Oprah monthly articles, her store, touring, etc. I live on the East End of Long Island, not far from The Barefoot Contessa and I don't want to sound mean, but I feel this book could have been a better.
  
  

• Nothing like her first book
  By AY1B8HFPBF13M on 2002-11-02
  I love The Barefoot Contessa's first cookbook, and Ina Garten's second book Parties is nice as well. This third book is most disappointing. The recipes are so simple, and who needs a recipe for French toast? and a whole section on kid's recipes. I love her shop in the Hampton's, and some of her recipes are staples in my home. I would not bother with this latest book.
  
  
• Unfit for Giving or Receiving
  By A1TGUCYVKQBTEK on 2002-12-03
  I had such high hopes for this cookbook, thinking that it would be a perfect holiday gift for several people on my list. After ordering it, however, all I can say is that I'm glad I didn't ship it direct. While beautifully photographed and put together, the book is woefully short on substance. I've found more original recipes in my civic association's monthly newsletter. The whole reason I'm back at Amazon.com today is to find replacement gifts, since I'd be too embarrassed to give this to anyone.
  
  
• Easy, Simple Comfort Food
  By A1QDKOYK2LEAKH on 2003-09-12
  I normally can't find a cookbook that has more than one recipe I like and use but this book is an exception. I've tried a few recipes from this book and they are great! It's simple to make and the directions are easy to follow. My family absolutely loved everything made from this book. Furthermore, most cookbook's recipes usually turn out to be too salty for my taste, but this book is perfect. All the natural flavors from the ingredients were brought out instead of being killed by too much salt and pepper. Overall, I am very satisfied with this book and am looking forward to receiving another cookbook written by Ina Garten.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A2689GKU38W1Z7 on 2002-11-12
  I love the previous Barefoot Contessa cookbooks, but there are very few recipes in the new book that have the wow factor. The originality seems to be lacking in this new cookbook. I was so excited to receive the cookbook, but after reading it I should have saved my money.
  
  
• Big Disappointment
  By on 2002-12-18
  This is a beautiful cookbook with enticing pictures, but the food does not hold up. I have cooked many of the recipes. The cooking times are consistently innacurate (most are way too long) and the food is bland. With the exception of the Parmesan Chicken, which is wonderful, I haven't found anything I would serve to guests and very few recipes I would even repeat at home. I've been to the Barefoot Contessa, and it's wonderful. It's impossible to believe, based on this cookbook, that it's the same person...
  
  
• Solid and a huge help in the kitchen!
  By AG2SVVKRKLD2W on 2004-04-03
  Ina Garten has proven herself to be a permanant fixture in my kitchen. It is interesting the kind of feedback this book. Cooking purists often seem to get quite worked up about it. It is true, Family Style contains many recipes that you can find in many other cookbooks. And if you are looking for that cliche, the "if-you-could-have-only-one-cookbook," I would agree with the masses that that book would have to be The Joy of Cooking. But there are many reasons why you should have more than just that book, and here are a few:
  Many complain that this book is a bunch of classics that they all know how to make anyway. But this book is great for young people or people of any age, who are trying to gather fool-proof classics. I am only 23 and like most people my age, I haven't developed a repetoire of chicken noodle soup or pound cake. So for me this book is perfect.
  Secondly, Ina's recipes are nearly fool-proof. If you are the least bit competant in the kitchen you will fare well with these recipes. Some of my favorites in this book are the shrimp scampi, parmessan chicken, smoked salmon fritatta, corn pudding and an easy gravy recipe I use all the time. At the moment I am lunching on her broccoli and bowties. Not a unique recipe, but like I said before, one I didn't use before and no go to often.
  Many people don't like having so many pictures in a book and call it a waste of their money but I prefer this. I want to see what I am going to cook and rarely buy a cookbook without photos, unless it is highly recommended, such as the Joy of Cooking.
  I say take a good look at the recipes before you buy the book. If you are satisfied with the recipes you already have for these true-blues, skip it. But if you are still searching for that perfect recipe, give this book a go. You won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Yum
  By A1HEIJWJKXLQIL on 2004-11-02
  I would have rated this as 5 stars except for the fact that many of the recipes are every day kind of dishes like spaghetti & meatballs, chicken noodle soup, etc. which I already have recipes for.
  
  This being said, it's still a great book to have. Every recipe I've tried from the book has been delicious & they're easy to prepare. I'd highly recommend the fried chicken & macaroni & cheese - yum!
  
  An especially good book for beginners or people who are looking to get a quick, tasty meal on the table without a lot of fuss or when you're serving a crowd. Also could make a great wedding or shower gift.
  
  Instructions are very well written, nicely laid out, offers meal suggestions and the photography is very well done. I liked the fact that she included a chapter with recipes for kids.
  
  
• Good recipes
  By A1LLJLHG0YMN4O on 2006-05-18
  I have tried many of the recipes in this book and they always come out great. The Chicken Parmesan is wonderful. The lemon and greens (any kind--I use spring greens) with the lemon vinaigrette is superb. The Parmesan Roasted Asparagus is now a main receipe when it comes to serving Asparagus....and it's so easy. I own the book. I use the book. I enjoy the book. I'm glad I purchased the book.
  
  
  
• Terribly Disappointed
  By on 2002-12-27
  I am so terribly disappointed in Ina's third book Barefoot Contessa Family Style that it prompted me to write my first customer review ever! I absoluletly love her first two books. Family Style is grasping to fill pages with basic recipes such as mashed potatoes, herbal ice tea, apple pie, scambled eggs and mac and cheese. The book is lacking the stlyishness and finesse her first two books offered. The recipes in her first two books are creative and inspire you to be resourceful in your entertaining! It appears this book was frantically pulled together before the holiday spending frenzy just to make a few bucks or perhaps the success of her first two books and recent TV show has gone to Ina's head making her think we will rush to purchase her third book regardless of it's lackluster content. I wish I had not purchase it.
  
  
• Looks great, but doesn't deliver with some items
  By AIIR8E34EDKCQ on 2005-10-01
  I have been in love with cooking for the past 10 years, and I do not have trouble following cookbook recipes, but this one wasn't as fool-proof as it appears.
  
  To clarify things, her main dishes turn out good, but the desserts aren't perfected. I make my own bread and make my own butter when fancy strikes, yet the tiramisu I made using her recipe exact, was the worst cake ever. The Key Lime frozen pie I made was also terrible! Too Limey and plainly unsavory.
  I don't think I have ever baked anything that didn't turn out unsatisfactionary until this book!
  
  I like her show and recipes for shrimp scampi, side dishes, drinks, chicken dishes and salads but I will not be using her dessert recipes, I know better than that by now.
  
  Too bad, it would have been a great book, but the dissert thing make me scare of using it at all.
  
  
• A cookbook for pros and dummies
  By A2H4L73YP9WNIF on 2005-11-08
  I am not very good at cooking and everytime I cook out of this cookbook the recipe turns out flawless. I am amazed! No kitchen should be without it.
  
  
• Mmm, Mmm, Good!
  By A17KT2A6QWVUI8 on 2002-11-08
  What can I tell you, she's done it again! I read the less than pleased reader reviews, but I fell in love with it when I saw it. The food looks really good, and I can't wait to try them. The French toast is "kicked up a notch," and her version of "mac and cheese" is bound to have people inviting themselves to dinner. How can you not love it? It's not as fancy as Parties, but that's the whole point. And Mrs. Garten's advice is, as usual, stellar. I'm NOT disappointed in this book, only that I don't have it yet. . .soon. . .
  
  
• Recipes you'll make over and over....and over
  By A1Q2QLFUAM4F6W on 2004-07-25
  Some recipes in this book I have made so many times that my friends and family say, "Oooh, please make your lemon angel food cake" or "Are you making the parmesan roasted asparagus?" I have too many favorites from this book. But here are a few:
  
  parmesan roasted asparagus--i always burn my fingers when these come out of the oven because I can't help grabbing one (or two or three) and eating right away.
  flag cake--the frosting is to die for
  orange pound cake--freezes perfectly for last minute company
  homemade gravy--make your thanksgiving day guests swoon
  meatballs and spaghetti--unless you're italian you probably don't know how to make these. i sure didn't
  challah french toast with orange zest--the orange zest blows traditional french toast away.
  
  
  
• A Dissapointing Third Outing for Ina
  By A8I225ARBDOQW on 2002-12-18
  I also had very high hopes for Ina's latest. But "Family Style" is woefully uninspired. She features a recipe for roasted asparagus - wasn't that in one of her previous cookbooks?? If not, a reader of her earlier offerings could just duplicate the instructions for her roasted carrots (first book) or roasted cherry tomatoes (second book). I own the thing now, but don't see myself turning to it half as much as I do the other two. Could it be that the Barefoot Contessa is played out and has nothing new to offer? From the looks of "Family Style," I'd have to surmise as such.
  
  
• More Recipes Easily Prepared at Home. Many Leftovers
  By A20IIR0422G3A5 on 2004-02-21
  This is Ina Garten's third cookbook. It leaves the caterer's shop and party platter to concentrate on meals, which do well made at home.

  One of the first things I sense is that there is little difference in the style of menu in this book than there is in the first two. The second and more revealing aspect of this book is the degree to which it is visiting old material rather than trying to present something new.

  There are three signs of this tendency in the book. The first is the number of references to sources of recipes in both classic cookbooks such as Julia Child's `Mastering the Art of French Cooking' and recent, well known cookbooks such as Danny Meyer and Michael Romano's `Union Square Café Cookbook'. Other cookbooks are quoted as well. The second is the appearance of patently classic recipes, which have appeared in many other books. Two of the most common are a recipe for a Caprese Salad (Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarela) and roasted leg of lamb. Repeating classic recipes like this becomes more of an issue in a book of this size (88 recipes) and price ($35 list). This book has very little new in the way of basic recipes to offer a person who already owns ten (10) cookbooks, let alone someone who owns over 200. The third is the number of recipes for relatively simple staple items which have the feel of being added to bulk up the page count. These are chicken stock, croutons, iced tea, mashed potatoes, and sautéed carrots. To be sure, each of these has some twist to offer, but that twist is a bit expensive at over $.40 per recipe. Especially given the fact that many of these recipes have appeared on Ina's Food Network show and are therefore available on the Internet on the Food Network web site for free.

  There is an up side to this book, especially for people with few cookbooks and little time to watch the Food Network.

  First, as with the earlier books, these recipes are typically easy to make with virtually no expensive or difficult to find ingredients.
  Second, the book has a recipe index, something that every cookbook should have.
  Third, the book has a healthy number of breakfast food recipes. This would seem to be the main feature which sets it apart from the other two books and which places it `in the home'.
  Fourth, a large percentage of recipes are for desserts. If one has no interest in having a dessert book laying around, this book will put you in good stead with recipes for some classics like key lime pie and angel food cake plus some very good special event desserts such as an American Flag cake. If you want the read deal on desserts, I strongly recommend Wayne Harley Brachman's latest book, `American Desserts'.

  Ina Garten' three books together will run you over $100 list price. For less than $20, you could get an excellent general purpose cookbook such as `The Joy of Cooking' or `James Beard's American Cookery' with over 1000 recipes. The extra tariff buys you the cachet of recipes from a well-known culinary celebrity who should know what she is doing to keep things both simple and economical in the kitchen. You also get full page, average or less than average quality photographs of all recipes and chatty commentary on the recipes from Ms. Garten.

  Basically, Ina is simply running out of original material, just like her Food Network colleague Paula Deen, whose second cookbook also had a lot of filler. The difference is in the relative price Ms. Garten and Ms. Deen are charging for leftovers.

  Again, this is a good book if you simply do not own other cookbooks and you can get it at a good discount. For the rest of us, I give it only four stars so you think twice before buying the name, again.
  
  

• Really, this one is her best.
  By A2ODBHT4URXVXQ on 2004-04-03
  The first of Ina Garten's books I owned was focused on dishes meant primarily for entertaining, because, after all, that's what life in the Hamptons (where she has her popular carryout food store) is all about. But then I bought this one, and I swear it's even better: Just delicious and beautiful items centered on making others, including family members, feel welcome in your home.
  `Homey' would describe many of these dishes, esp as lots of them center around stuff like turnips and squash, items that don't usually get a lot of play. I mean, it's not likely you'd expect some finicky teenager to go, `Oh, yum, we're having turnips again." But that kid just might love them the way Garten prepares them. After all, you never know...
  This book is worth it at twice the price. Highest praise.
  
  
• Not very well thought out
  By A2GBJQ9THOYDAJ on 2006-04-11
  I like to watch the "Barefoot Contessa" show on the Food Network, even though she tends to concentrate on party food -- like canapes and fondues, the staples of her store in the Hamptons -- which I never fix. She's also big on chowder and other New England stuff. But she's fun to watch. This book, her third, is a bit of a disappointment, though. There are lengthy sections on meal-planning, table settings, "team-cooking," family traditions, and other tangential topics. Among the recipes, there are very basic ones like Zucchini with Parmesan or Sauteed Carrots (which hardly require a recipe), and strange ones like Tuna Tartare (yuck) or Scrambled Eggs with Caviar (double yuck), and complicated ones like Montauk Seafood Salad (shrimp, mussels, and champagne, among a long list of ingredients). It's also irritating that she specifies brand names (I never heard of "Frank's Hot Sauce," but it's not going to convince me to give up Tabasco in any case), even in her list of essential kitchen tools (why a Braun electric juicer, particularly?). And a zest-rasper is not "essential," folks. Get this one at the library if you're interested and save your money.
  
  

• Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again
• The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
• Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun
• Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home
• Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients