Rating: 
Summary: A Worthwhile Edition
Review: I collect cookbooks. I probably have over 150. I can honestly say that I have made at least one recipe from every cookbook I own. This book has some terrific recipes for some common items like brownies and meatloaf. I'd say Ms. Garten's could become the definitive version. These recipes are not especially difficult & don't call for hard-to-find ingredients or difficult techniques. This is for people who like to eat delicious food but, not for calorie-counters.
Rating: 
Summary: This One's A Keeper!
Review: I can't say enough about this wonderfully illustrated, masterfully written cookbook. Before I got married, I didn't cook at all. After our wedding, my husband and I entertained quite a bit and always chose recipes that left me stressed when my quests arrived. Then I found The Barefoot Contessa and fell in love. The recipes are easy and delicious. I've tried about 20 of the recipes so far and have loved all of them. Be sure to use fresh ingredients - and the best quality you can afford - it really make a difference! The quantities are very large, so watch out if you're just cooking for the family - you may need to size down the recipe. Some of my favorites are the brownies, pecan bars, meat loaf, hummus, sun-dried tomato dip and the banana crunch muffins. Don't pass this one up - it's the only cookbook in my collection that gets used every week!
Rating:
Summary: Summer Cooking
Review: This is a wonderful book filled with tempting photographs of food anyone can make. The dishes are simple, flavorful, and filled with seasonal ingredients....
Rating:
Summary: Tried & true! A wonderful cookbook!
Review: I have tried the swordfish w/ capers & basil, the perfect roast chicken, and a beef boul. recipe and ALL have been a HUGE success. Only one recipe (roasted carrots) seemed to have a little too much salt for my family's taste, so the next time around I cut the amount in half and this is now a staple side dish. The ingredients in the recipes are fairly common, and the directions easy to follow. This is a great cookbook and I highly recommend it! I only wish there were more recipes, and look forward to the next Ina Garten cookbook! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Is it just me?
Review: This is a beautiful cookbook--kudos to the photographer, and such gorgeous photos are always an inspiration when trying new recipes. However, there are some basic problems with several recipes--I have not tried one yet that was done in the recommended time. The Pecan Bars and the Brownies both overflowed the pan size given, and neither were done in the time stated. In fact, the Pecan Bars never did "set" as the recipe said, and was still bubbly after I had cooked it 10 more minutes that the time given, and, after they had cooled, they looked nothing like the picture and they were hard as a rock (I guess because the recipe basically created a hard caramel instead of a smooth custard---were the eggs missing, perhaps?). The Brownies did turn out delicious, even though I had to cook them an additional 25 minutes. The Banana Crunch Muffins were absolutely wonderful, and received rave reviews from the whole family (but I had to cook them much longer as well). The Bean Soup was a bust here--everybody hated it. Also, be warned that the recipe quantities are HUGE, so be prepared to halve them or use them as is for entertaining a big crowd. I bought this book solely because of the reviews given, but I have not had any recipes (yet) that turned out exactly right simply following the recipe. I believe that if the "powers that be" had tested the recipes with home cooks in home kitchens, (since it is being marketed to the home cook and not to professionals only), many of these bugs would have been worked out and Barefoot Contessa could have been a grand slam for easy, wonderful, food, but as it stands now, I have to knock off a couple of stars for lots of recipes that need adjustments to be successful.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite all time cookbook
Review: I bought this cookbook after seeing Ina on Martha Stewart. I have made several of the recipes and each one has had rave reviews. I had made the spinach pie and had a question about one of the directions listed, I called her store and Ina actually called back my home with the proper way to complete the recipe. I suggest this book to all my customers at the chef store I work for. Don't forget to try the crab cakes and sundried tomato dip. I'm looking forward to her latest book for parties. Ina, keep them coming....you make my parties a success!!!
Rating:
Summary: Beatiful book, dissapointing recipes
Review: The cookbook is gorgeous but the recipes I've tried taste pretty ordinary. The vaunted Indonesian chicken is tasty, but nothing to write home about. The coconut cupcakes were dense and only need about half the frosting called for. The parmesan mashed potatoes were too bland and pasty and the turkey meatloaf was inedible. I'm going to sell my copy, as may other cookbooks are far better.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST cookbook...ever!
Review: this cookbook is so simple.it makes cooking so enjoyable...because it's fabulous tasting and easy so you have more time to have fun with your guests and everything is wonderful.. move over martha ina is my new god!she's easy
Rating:
Summary: I love this cookbook!
Review: First of all, it's a beautiful book- lots of sunny, colorful, mouth-watering pictures. The recipes are clear and easy to follow. And the results are delicious!!!! The Szechuan noodles, curried couscous and cheddar-corn chowder were all hits in this family. The eggplant spread and humus are bound to become party staples. I would some day like to make the trek to East Hampton to see if these recipes could taste any better than they did in my kitchen!!!!
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Cookbook!
Review: This has to be the best cookbook in years. Not only is Ina's story of great interest but her philosophy of entertaining and cooking is relaxed and user friendly. I've made so many recipes from "Barefoot Contessa" and all are well worth every bite! Can hardly wait for the next book. Thank You Ina Garten Diana J. Brown Roseburg, OR
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