Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun

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Summary: Barefoot Contessa Parties!
Review: This book is GREAT! I've made a number of the recipes and they've all been a big hit! My favorite is the orzo with roasted vegitables. The asparagus chicken salad is also very good! I recommend this book because the recipes are easy to follow and they all taste great!

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Summary: INA GARTEN IS THE WINNER
Review: THE ABSOULUTE BEST COOKBOOKS I EVER PURCHASED ALL COME FROM INA GARTEN.

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Summary: As Ina Garten would say- FABULOUS
Review: Ina garten is one of my favorite cookbook authors. Her writing is clear and concise and I can trust her recipes will always be good. A lot of people says she name drops and uses too many recipes from other peopple. But everyone knows that you can't come up with a recipe out of thin air. They are based on something else. She's just giving credit to the people on whom she based her recipes off of. Recipes in here include: Baked Virgina Ham, Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, assorted cookies, Rugelach, Strawberry Country Cake, Ceaser Sald with Pancetta, Pesto, Peach and Raspberry Shortcakes, Fennel Soup Gratin, and many other recipes. There are many recipes in this book that I like. I made the Grilled Herb Shrimp for a party of my mom's and it was edelicious. I'm a vegetarian, so I didn't eat them, but everyone raved, and I can tell their comments were sincere. Plus somebody asked me for the recipe, a true sign that it is very good. The Lemon Cake in here is also very good, and the orange variation in the Barefoot Contessa Family Style is my father's favorite cake. I also made the Cranberry Fruit Conserve for Thanksgiving and it was perfect. I didn't put the raisins and nuts in it though, it was optional, and I thought it wouldn't be that good in traditional cranberry sauce. She also introduced my mom and I to fennel. My mom never used it before, and she is quite the cook. I never used it either. So we tried it in the Vegetable Pot Pie. It was delcious! The crust was perfect, and the variety of vegetables was great. It was the perfect vegetarian meal for me. I can't wait to try more recipes.
Also, on a side note many people from her second book say they have trouble cooking at 500 degrees. We cleaned our oven and wiped it down before making the Penne with Five Cheeses from her third book(which we thought was delicious) no smoke at all. You just have to listen to her when she says to make sure your oven is really clean before cooking at 500 degrees. There shouldn't be a problem.

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Summary: A very good boook!
Review: What a terrific book, Barefoot Contessa! Like her, I throw many parties in my small Brooklyn apartment and have read this book. Good recipes, fun times, a circle of close friends. A wonderful book that has led to fun times in my apartment in Brooklyn.

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Summary: Try the Plum Tart!
Review: I have several of Ina Garten's books and this is one of my favourite. I use it regularly and enjoy that her entertaining style is similar to mine, simple and enjoyable for the hostess also. The plum tart is to die for and the chicken chili is a staple in our house now.

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Summary: A must have
Review: I have seen Ina Garten on the Food Network and liked her simple and elegant foods. Her book is just as wonderful as her show. Her recipes ARE simple to follow, each with fabulous pictures. They are elegant and great tasting. She supplies an entire menu for each "party." I have made several recipes for friends and each has gotten rave reviews. If I have one small criticism. it is that not all recipes have the amount of servings supplied. But overall, this is a wonderful asset to any kitchen!

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Summary: simple and elegant with style
Review: This book is a treat...the ingredients are on hand, the presentation is great, and the food seems to really apeal to everyone! It's easy to come home sleepy from the beach, and make a great dinner for a crowd with lots of kids hanging around the kitchen...well done!

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Summary: She is the Martha Stewart for Everyday People
Review: This is my first book of hers, and I love it. I saw her a few times on the Food TV network and fell in love with her homey, down-to-earth style of cooking and entertaining. She has easy ideas and her food is delicious. I like her comments in her margarita recipe, not to use the expensive kind, but use the inexpensive type of tequila. She is my kind of lady with comments like this.
Her book is well illustrated with pictures of the recipes that are in this book. What I really enjoy is that the recipes are quality recipes that turn out very well. Some of my favorites that I have tried from this book are the apple crostata, which is a rustic apple pie that tastes devine. California pizzas, so much better than take out with fresh mozzarella, basil, and fresh tomatoes. Her chocolate chunk cookies will have everyone asking you for more.
I can't say enough nice things about this book, but I like what lies behind this book. Good food doesn't make the party, its the good company. You should spend your time and efforts with those that you love, and not be so exhausting when you entertain you can't enjoy yourself either. All of her recipes really fit this theory as they are pretty easy to put together, but taste like they came from a fancy restaruant.

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Summary: A Very Good, Very Useful Book
Review: I enjoy cooking and eating and reading about cooking and eating.I received this book as a gift and I have had a lot of fun with it.
Garten's recipes are relatively easy and presented with beautiful pictures. She offers suggestions and menus for a number of different occasions: lunch in the garden, a birthday party, a fireside dinner for two. I am always most interested in the author's approach to cooking and event planning. Garten shares such information as "organize like a caterer" and offers such tips as have your guests share in the cooking.
My only criticism-I wish she had put more of herself in the book. I am a Nigella Lawson devotee. With her books, I feel like she is in the kitchen next to me. With Garten, I feel as if she jotted down her tips and handed them to me.
I would recommend this book to cookbook lovers and to beginner and more advanced cooks with entertaining ambitions. I would not recommend this book to individuals who want just one or two cookbooks-this book focuses more on party and event planning.
I also believe that it makes an outstanding gift.

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Summary: My favorite cookbook
Review: I love to cook and hav elots of cookbooks. This is by far the best cookbook I have and use. Every recipe in here is a winner. The lamb chops and casesar salad are absolute favs and ger raves everything I make them. Buy it and Enjoy!