Rating: 
Summary: Comfort Foods
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy, Delicious, what more could you want?
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: INA GARTEN HAS THE #1 BEST COOKBOOKS
Review: INA GARTEN HAS THE BEST COOKBOOKS I EVER PURCHASED. THEY INSPIRE YOU TO COOK. BEAUTIFUL PICTURES AND TERRIFIC TO READ.
Rating:
Summary: Easy, Classy Comfort Food
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful addition for simple meals
Review: Negative reviews of this books complain that the recipes are too simple (iced tea, mac & cheese, french toast, oven-fried chicken etc..) This book's title gives the mood of the style of food--family. These are not elegant and complicated meals that entail your entire time in the kitchen away from your guests. These a fabulous recipes that everyone loves and makes them feel good. And I don't feel like these are basic either. I love iced tea and I never would have thought to mix Lemon Zinger, Red Zinger and apple juice to make a fabulously refreshing drink! Simple, perhaps. But I'll take delicious and easy any day! And her quick tips at the end of each recipe that point to favorite cooking techniques, brands or substitues are welcome advice. Thank you Ina for a cookbook that reminds us to savor the simple things in life.
Rating:
Summary: Ina is the best!
Review: I love all the Barefoot Contessa cookbooks (and I have them all!) I think I like the Family Style one the best and have made the most recipes from it. I can honestly say that I usually use one or two recipes from a cookbook (and I have many), but I've used at least a dozen recipes from this book. My favorite was linguine with shrimp scampi. Her recipes just make sense. I have never had one NOT turn out. I would recommend this book (and both the others as well) to anyone. I can't WAIT until her French cookbook comes out in November.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful addition for simple meals
Review: Negative reviews of this books complain that the recipes are too simple (iced tea, mac & cheese, french toast, oven-fried chicken etc..) This book's title gives the mood of the style of food--family. These are not elegant and complicated meals that entail your entire time in the kitchen away from your guests. These a fabulous recipes that everyone loves and makes them feel good. And I don't feel like these are basic either. I love iced tea and I never would have thought to mix Lemon Zinger, Red Zinger and apple juice to make a fabulously refreshing drink! Simple, perhaps. But I'll take delicious and easy any day! And her quick tips at the end of each recipe that point to favorite cooking techniques, brands or substitues are welcome advice. Thank you Ina for a cookbook that reminds us to savor the simple things in life.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL RECIPES!!!
Review: I've tried a number of recipes from this book! They've all be delicious! My favorites... the coconut macaroons, the 5 cheese macaroni, and you can't go wrong with the provencal tomatoes as long as you add a good splash of olive oil. I suggest this book to anyone who is learning to cook, has already learned to cook and needs some new recipes, or anyone looking to serve a meal that will impress their friends!
Rating:
Summary: Really, this one is her best.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Solid and a huge help in the kitchen!
Review: 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.
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