Barefoot Contessa Parties Cookbook

[alli]

Hello, I just received Ina Gartens new book, and it is wonderful. She is a great motivator and she makes cooking seem so easy. This book is nice because it gives menus for different types of parties. Has anybody else read her book or purchased her first, The Barefoot Contessa cookbook?

[pmmahan]

I have her first, The Barefoot Contessa cookbook, and to be honest, I've only used it once! I love her ideas and most of the recipes look wonderful, however, many of the recipes look a bit time intensive. I would like to try several of the desserts, so maybe I shoul pull it out and look through it again! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[philamark]

I haven't read Ina's book yet but would like to. She has a monthly column in Martha Stewart's magazine and she always gives great advice and ideas. Haven't tried any of her recipes but she really is a creative source for what to serve for different dinner parties and other types of gatherings!

[Susan]

I have Ina's first book and think it is truly a beautiful cookbook. The photographs and page layouts are so appealing to me. I have read through the book several times but have only made one recipe thus far: ground turkey meatloaf (which is delicious and the ONLY meatloaf my hubby will eat now). I have enjoyed Ina's appearances on Martha Stewart's television program and her column in MS Living. I look forward to perusing her latest publication and will most likely purchase it. She has a web site too: http://www.barefootcontessa.com/welcome2.html

~~Susan~~

[chefbec]

I have her first cookbook and have made a few things, and I love the book (must make more recipes). I looked through her new one at the bookstore and it really didn't excite me, but enjoy it!

[Mamasue]

I have been eyeing this cookbook (the first one) for some time and finally picked one up at BJ's. I have been breezing through it but haven't tried any recipes yet. The pictures are beautiful! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Mamasue (edited 04-10-2001).]

[WeekendCook]

I liked the first book, so picked up a copy of her newest book. I haven't made anything from the "Parties" cookbook yet.

Since many of the recipes are high fat, I have lightened a few of them; some I only use for special occasions. Here are a few of my favorites from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook:

Grilled Lemon Chicken Salad -- easy to make, very colorful, good for picnics.

Sugar Snap Peas with Sesame -- another one that's easy!

Swordfish with Tomatoes and Capers -- my husband and I love this one. I make the sauce and freeze it in small batches. We have used the sauce with different kinds of fish -- swordfish, halibut, chilean sea bass, orange roughy.

Roasted Carrots -- I usually use the whole carrots and peel them, but in a pinch have used the baby carrots in a bag.

Parmesan Smashed Potatoes -- rich but good

Peach and Raspberry Crisp -- I can hardly wait for peach season again! I made this for a crowd, and it made so much that I still had leftovers. I froze the leftovers, and it froze well; still tasted good.

Banana Crunch Muffins -- Good banana flavor. The granola added a good crunch to it.

Maple-Oatmeal Scones -- Good, but quite rich.



[This message has been edited by WeekendCook (edited 04-15-2001).]

[Meg O'C]

Glad I found this old thread on the Barefoot Contessa. I bought Ina's first book over a year ago and had looked at it many times but never made anything out of it until recently. Over Memorial Day weekend I made the Broccoli and Garlic "salad." It was delicious. This past weekend was my youngest sister's high school graduation party and since my parents are moving out of the home they have been in for 20 years in less than two weeks, another sister and I did many of the dishes for the party. I made the broccoli dish again and also made the Szechuan Noodles and the Coleslaw. I quadrupled all three recipes and it made plenty. They were delicious and pretty easy. Ina gives great tips on what portions of each dish can be made ahead of time. Can't wait to try some more of the recipes and glad to hear some of you have already zeroed in on the really good ones for me!