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Summary: reader from NH
Review: I hate to admit that this one does miss the mark a bit. I own all three of her books, and love the other two. It seems like this one may have been rushed - still some good recipes and ideas. I made the chicken soup tonight and it was very good. I bought the book based on how great her other books are - but it did disappoint in comparison.
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to standards of her previous books.
Review: The photos are attractive and the text is well-written, just as in her other books, but I agree with those who say the recipes are just not worth much. I agree with the reviewer from Phoenix who says this book seems to have been rushed out in order to capitalize on the success of the first two books. There is just nothing in here that I have any desire to make (or that I don't already have a million good recipes for).
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Summary: The Best of the Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks
Review: 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.
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Summary: Not worth the money
Review: This was a big disappointment. I should have stuck with Better Homes and Betty Crocker.I didn't find any recipe worth using and one of the dish in the book looked ... yucky! (If you're curious, buy the book.)
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Summary: A California Cook
Review: I think this is an excellent cookbook. I've made several things from it (Chicken Noodle Soup, Sunday Rib Roast, Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette) and all were excellent. I've only had the book a few days, but I know that it will be well used after reading it cover to cover. The pictures are beautiful and the menus at the end are helpful. I think this would be an exellent gift as well.
Rating:
Summary: Terribly Disappointed
Review: 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.
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Summary: Big Disappointment
Review: 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...
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Summary: A Dissapointing Third Outing for Ina
Review: 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.
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Summary: Outstanding versions of stand-by foods
Review: 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?
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Summary: Unfit for Giving or Receiving
Review: 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.
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