Rating: 
Summary: Great for parties
Review: I recently had a party and made all my hors d'oeuvres from this book--smoked salmon sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, sun-dried tomato dip, etc. Usually I just buy everything for parties, but these recipes were so easy and the results were great.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This is the best cookbook I have ever purchased. The recipes are fun, simple and delicious. Melanie Acevedo's photos of the various recipes are vibrant and really make the recipes come alive by just reading the ingredients. I reccomend this book to everyone who enjoys the kitchen!!
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Summary: Beautiful Food, Beautiful Book
Review: I love to cook - and especially love cookbooks! This is one of the best I've purchased in quite some time....From the "coconut cupcakes" to the delicious salads (try the Nicoise)this one is invaluable.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice basic book but there are problems with the recipes
Review: I liked this book and I think Ms Garten has a good concept of American food, but some of the recipes are a disaster. For example, the chocolate cake has no baking temperature and the icing recipe makes twice too much. Ms Garten, next time you write a book please make sure the recipes are fullproof! Many of the recipes are credited to outside sources, which weakens the credibility of the author. I also think this book could have used a bit more work before going to print. Otherwise the book is OK. It certainly contains the kind of food we all love to eat. The muffin recipes are fantastic! Good for a beginner or a casual gourmet.
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Summary: I plan on trying every recipe in this book!
Review: Last night when I returned home from work, there was a hoard of teenage males decimating the Outrageous Brownies prepared from this delightful cookbook. The comments included "These are the best I've ever had, even better than my mom's Triple Decadent Brownies." I overheard my son say proudly "Yes, it has 2 and 1/2 pounds of chocolate in it!" This book is worth every penny just for the brownie recipe alone, but all the others we have tried are scrumptious also. The recipes, pictures and anecdotes all create a pleasing, immensely useable treasure!
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Summary: American in Paris -- "Barefoot" c'est magnifique!
Review: Felicitations Mdm Garten! The book is delightfully easy and delicious -- as more cookbooks should be. The recipes have overwhelmed and put smiles on all of my French tasters. I'm particularly fond of the side notes and tips! Anxiously awaiting book 2 and an invite to one of your great parties Mdm. Garten.!
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Summary: I eat at the Barefoot Contessa often!
Review: The book is lovely! Finally we can get our hands on some of the recipes for the fabulous food produced at the Barefoot Contessa! I have been a fan for many years, and continue to be one. The store has always been impressive and delicious, now the cookbook too! Bravo Ina for giving the world this book!
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Summary: Easy to follow, elegant recipes that earned me raves
Review: Really enjoying this book--made the coconut cupcakes and turkey meatloaf to rave guest reviews.The author has a calming way about her and makes entertaining a more relaxed enterprise. Not as complicated as Martha's recipes can get, which I am glad for. I appreciated the other reviews which helped me decide to buy this book, and wanted to pass along that it has been a pleasure to look at and use.
Rating:
Summary: A very worthwhile buy for any kitchen
Review: This is one of the best cookbooks I have ever purchased. I have tried several of the recipes, all to rave reviews. They are all easy to follow, and I really liked that the central theme of this book is how to do things the easy way without sacrificing taste, and have time to enjoy the company of the people you are entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: BETTER THAN GOOD INGREDIENTS MAKE BETTER THAN GOOD RECIPES
Review: I fell in love with The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook from the minute I picked it up, both for the beautiful photographs and for the recipes, which seem to cover ingredients I enjoy using for family dinners as well as for parties. I've tried the orange yogurt, grilled salmon salad and roasted carrots, and everything has gotten approval from all who have tried them. You'd think perhaps that everyone knows how to arrange a dessert or fruit platter to its finest advantage but few do, therefore, the photos and instructions were welcome. This supercedes my favorite cookbooks of The Silver Palate books and Sarah Leah Chases' books to become my favorite for daily cooking. Sincerely, Robin
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