Cooking up Some Barefoot Contessa!

I’ve visited a few of Ina Garten’s cookbooks before on my blog, but Ina’s books could never be a one recipe wonder, well not in my house anyway. We have eaten many great meals courtesy of Ina, and although I sometimes drift away from the Barefoot Contessa books, I always find my way back again.

UKTV Food channel in the UK has been showing Ina’s TV programmes for a while now, and I do like to watch her shows. I know from comments I’ve read on foodie forums that I frequent that Ina is either a like her or loathe her kind of woman, I like her a lot!

The most frequent question I get in relation to Ina is which book should I buy first? It’s a hard question, and one that I can’t really answer as I like them all; but this is not very helpful, so what I tend to say is I started with the first cookbook – The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and followed with the second Barefoot Contessa Parties! And have pre-ordered the rest as they came out. She has a new one out later this year – Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics for anyone interested.

Here is a selection of the most recent Ina recipes I’ve tried - all delicious.

Ina’s Creme Brulee from Barefoot in Paris, I’ve made this a couple of times and I played around with it a bit, half milk and half double (heavy) cream is my preferance. Recipe Here.

This is an absolute must try! Curried Couscous from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. I found it hard to stop eating this – and believe me I never thought I’d say that about couscous =) Recipe Here.

Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken with Satay Sauce both from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, a terrific combination, her satay sauce is lovely, a bit thicker than many I’ve made before but packed full of flavour. Recipe Here.

A family supper, Mac and Cheese from Barefoot Contessa Family Style, makes a huge amount! Recipe Here.

Asian Salmon, Vegetable tian and sauteed sweetcorn from Barefoot Contessa Parties! (salmon and Corn) and vegetable tian from Barefoot in Paris, a really great Summer supper. Recipe Here, and Here and Here.

Pear, Apple and Cranberry Crisp a gorgeous crisp from Ina’s most recent book – Barefoot Contessa at Home. There is plenty fruit and loads of topping, mmmm. Recipe Here.