BAREFOOT CONTESSA AT HOME

I was very confused by many of the reviews here so I decided to try out the cookbook for myself. So, I checked out "Barefoot Contessa at Home" from the library and got ready to give it a test drive. First up, I went for her Whisky Sour recipe. Personally, I am not a fan of whiskey...but, I loved this drink. Absolutely, this would be worth the price of the cookbook for me. Ina says that her father drank whisky sours so she has fond memories of that drink---and she shows that with a lovely recipe that made me rethink whiskey completely. I even made it for guests and it was a hit.Next up, I tried her Guacamole Salad recipe. I only chose that one because I had two avacados that were overripe and needed using up immediately. I had some doubt about eating this dish without some accompanyment since it was very heavy on cherry tomatoes, black beans, and jalepeno....but, the dish was a stunning surprise. My mother was visiting and she went ga-ga for the dish and honestly, the longer it sat the better it smelled and the more tasty it became. We finished it all that evening and wished for more.Alright, so I was impressed...so time to try something that takes some real investment of my time: Shrimp Bisque. (I used frozen raw shrimp to cut down on the cost. Yeah, it took awhile to make the seafood stock (though it wasn't at all difficult but it had to simmer for an hour). Then I had to saute some shrimp and leaks with a few other ingredients, put them into a food processor and really it was so worth it. My, my, who knew that I could produce such a tasty Bisque? My husband wants this dish again. My children loved it as well. So, we are 3 for 3 now.So, for tomorrow, I plan to buy the ingredients and try a Bloody Mary! I have never had anything other than the canned, yucky ones from cheap bars....so, I plan to update this review then. But, if you are confused about all these reviews about 'let down expectations', etc....then remember to pay more attention to the reviewers that really took the time to cook a few recipes before writing. Also, I have now ordered the book and it is arriving tomorrow (My mom bought a copy as well).Update: I think the Bloody Mary recipe was just ok. Frankly, I don't have much experience with this drink so I wonder if maybe I should I give it a second try. My mother and husband also thought the Bloody Mary was just ok. But, given the other great recipes in this book, I am not particulary worried if I am not crazy about just one recipe so far. I think I will try out a couple more recipes from the book and then update this review accordingly.Update May 27, 2010...I made the Mexican Chicken Soup on pg. 34 (basically, a Tortilla Soup) and it was lovely. Even my children ate it. My only variations were that I used leftover grilled chicken meat and canned fire-roasted tomatoes. As a side dish, I made the Guacamole Salad again and loved it even more this time!Update September 21, 2011...I made the Roasted Shrimp with Orzo on pg. 74. Orzo is a small rice-like pasta. Fabulous! The recipe is very easy and contains: dill, parsley, red onion, scallions, cucumber, and feta cheese, as well as a few other items. I usually don't like red onion raw, but this is a very balanced dish. I even forgot the feta initially and it was still good, though more suited to adult tastes. The feta cheese counters nicely with the red onion by removing some of the bitterness. Once the feta was added, my children ate this dish too!****My Most Important Note about Ina's Recipes: Please use only Diamond Crystal Kosher salt or Ina's own brand of Kosher. Morton's Kosher salt is different---as in way stronger, heavier and therefore saltier. If you use Morton's then you should cut the salt amount almost in half (1 tablespoon of Diamond Crystal would be only about 1/2 a tablespoon of Morton's). Morton's is simply a heavier salt whereas Diamond Crystal is very light and contains more air. Also, you must cut down the measurement if you substitute table salt for Kosher. Diamond Crystal has a website with a 'locate a store' option. Good luck!

So...........where do I start? The sharp, beautiful, glossy photography that entices you to make each delicious recipe? The welcoming and carefree pictures of Ina and Jeffrey's beautiful home that are the background for this book? The helpful hints and encouragement from Ina? The use of fresh veggies and fruit to make each meal so good to eat? It's hard to figure out which to place first, but regardless of where you want to begin, you'll find yourself at ease.Ina just seems to get better and better with each volume of gastronomic delights, even when you think she has already given us the best. Her fifth venture into the publishing world is no less wonderful than her first four.She has broken down her book into six main categories of cooking (soup and sandwich, salads, dinner, veggies, dessert, breakfast) then ties it all up with an interesting addendum of "if you're visiting the Hamptons" which is a tribute, of sorts, to all the lovely places she goes to in the Hamptons, to see and smell and taste and enjoy; much appreciated, good friend! The book flows as such:INTRODUCTIONThis is a really friendly introduction that helps you get caught up with her casual approach to planning, her path to this career change, and all the little hints and idea's that you can incorporate to make any get-together with family and friends all that more fun and memorable. She also gives you 2 quick recipes for getting guests to unwind and snack until all is ready for the main event, and they are Fresh Whiskey Sours, and Green Herb Dip. She then gives you a little help in how to plan your grocery list and the actual shopping.SOUP AND SANDWICHESCalifornia BLT'sSummer BorschtCaesar Club SandwichMexican Chicken SoupChicken Salad SandwichesRibollitaSmoked Salmon and Egg Salad TartinesGarlic Croutons, Chicken StockRoasted Pepper and Goat Cheese SandwichesCream of Wild Mushroom Soup (superb!!)Tomato, Mozzarella, and Pesto PaniniShrimp BisqueSeafood StockHoney White BreadSALADSPlanning Outdoor PartiesHeirloom Tomatoes with Blue Cheese DressingChicken Salad VeroniqueGrilled Tuna SaladBibb Salad with Basil Green Goddess DressingJon Snow's Fish SaladRoasted Shrimp and OrzoPesto Pea SaladWarm Duck SaladTomato Feta SaladBlue Cheese Coleslaw (a must if you're a cheesehead!)Guacamole SaladOld-Fashioned Potato SaladDINNERMaking An "Important" DinnerBlue Cheese BurgersCornish Hens with Cornbread StuffingChicken PiccataLamb Kebobs with CouscousCouscous with Pine NutsRoast CaponLoin of Pork with FennelStuffed Cabbage (sooo easy and such a standard!!)Rib-eye Steaks with Cornmeal-Fried Onion RingsPortobello Mushroom LasagnaChicken with Goat Cheese and BasilSeafood GratinEli's Asian SalmonLemon Fusilli with ArugulaSummer Garden PastaSeared Tuna with Mango ChutneyEasy Lobster PaellaVEGETABLESGarlic and Herb TomatoesOrange-Honey Glazed CarrotsBroccolini and Balsamic VinaigretteZucchini PancakesHerbed Basmati RiceGreen, Green Spring VegetablesButtermilk Mashed PotatoesStewed Lentils and TomatoesParemesan-Roasted CauliflowerCreamy Rosemary PolentaBroccoli Rabe with GarlicMaple Baked beansMustard Roasted PotatoesJalapeno Cheddar CornbreadHerb-Roasted OnionsDESSERTS (the best part of ANY meal!!)How she thinks about,defines, and develops recipesFrozen Berries with Hot White ChocolateBeatty's Chocolate Cake & Frosting (the BEST chocolate cake ever!)Peanut Butter and Jelly BarsMixed Berry Pavlova, Sweetened Whipped Cream, Triple Raspberry SauceCoconut CakePumpkin Mousse ParfaitChocolate SorbetBlack and White Angel Food CakeChocolate Cupcakes and Peanut Butter IcingPanna Cotta with Balsamic StrawberriesUltimate Ginger CookiesFruitcake CookiesPeach and Blueberry CrumblesPear, Apple and Cranberry CrispSummer Fruit CrostataCaramel Pecan SundaesBREAKFASTDesigning a kitchenTri-berry MuffinsCranberry Orange SconesChunky Banana Bran MuffinsEasy Cheese DanishOmelet for TwoScrambled Eggs and SalmonMaple-Roasted BaconBreakfast Fruit Crunch (this is a quick and delicious idea)Sunday Morning OatmealBlueberry Crumb CakeAnna's Orange MarmaladeIrish Soda breadFresh Peach Bellini'sSpicy Bloody Mary's"If You're Visiting The Hampton's"........Menu's for All OoccasionsIndexRecipe Index

I've decided to do more cooking at home instead of relying on take-out or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day of the week. This cookbook, from the Barefoot Contessa series, is just what I needed to get started! Easy to follow recipes that taste fantastic every time!

I loved Ina years ago. I've had the first Barefoot Contessa book for 20 years. I'm just getting back into cooking and have rediscovered Ina. I think I will order a couple more of her books.