I love this book & have made nearly every recipe. My copy is covered in spattered oil & sticky fingers. I have given this as gifts to most of my friends & am now buying it for my sister's 40th birthday. Hands down favorite is the fish & chips. Chicken soup not so much. Enjoy.

I am the quintessential "ambitious but inexperienced" cook to whom Ina Garten's book are supposed to cater. Prior to using this book, my lasagnas would make messes, rather than good dinners. Where other recipes fail to deliver, EVERYTHING I have tried from this book has succeeded. Speaking of the turkey sausage lasagna... I made endless substitutions, right down to using vegan Tofurky sausage and pureed cottage cheese instead of ricotta. It turned out wonderfully, and my non-vegetarian "please don't put meat sustitute in my food" husband loved it. Following the recipes exactly might be important in some cases, but the cooking process seems to be the magical element in many others. In fact, my spouse doesn't really care for sauce-less veggies but loved the roasted asparagus recipe when I used baby broccoli instead.
I appreciate the footnotes that help me when I want to stray from the original recipe, or make something ahead of time. This really increases the utility of the recipes.
While the ingredients might be expensive at times, at least they end up producing "mmm's" at the table rather than ending up in the trash or dog bowl.
And yes, there is a lot of butter used throughout, but the food turns out so elegant and rich it takes only a portion to be satisfied, and this calorie watcher has not gained weight despite eating the mashed potatoes.
If you combine the ideas in this book with those from the t.v. show- make one main dish, a salad/veg & dessert- you will have a complete lovely dinner without needing 2 ovens and 2 hours. This book has made me feel inspired and successful, despite being quite average in the kitchen. If I can now make good tiramisu, so can anyone.

Ina is like the only real cook on the Food Network. She's totally the only person on this MTV-like, bastardized, asinine network that has a modicum of understanding of the culinary arts. BTW, have you ever noticed that on every single show she loves to entertain her little playmates? All of her girlfriends always have that fugly spikey haircut and all of her little boyfriends are each as g-a-y as a Christmas goose. I suppose it's that whole Fire Island, Suffolk Co. thing. Anyway, I enjoy Ina's recipes very much because they're always simple and come out pretty well. Incidentally, you'd think with all her artsy friends she could clean up her act a little? Ina's in serious need of a makeover. And I thought it was so hilarious when the Food Network forced her to do that ludicrous Christmas Show a couple of years ago. Even a blind and deaf person can tell that Ina is not a gentile. Why is American TV so afraid of showing Jews in a realistic setting? You know, just because Ina's a big-mama doesn't mean she has to look like a slob. I love how she says on her shows "oh I have to go make myself look beautiful for the party." Someone needs to tell her that slapping on a layer of fire-engine red lipstick and tucking in her monochromatic turtleneck is not a "good thing." I have a great idea, maybe that little hog Rach can give Ina some beauty tips and Ina can give her some cooking lessons? That would be an even-steven trade-off, wouldn't it?

Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Family Style
Easy Meals

This book is ideal for the "empty nester" home.
Have fun! I bought one for my sister and one for me.

Thank you,
Carol

I had never heard of Ina Garten before I bought this book, and so had no idea about Barefoot Contessa or anything, but the tequila lime chicken was the most tasty grilled chicken I've ever tried. I am really excited to try more of these recipes. Some of them seem a little simplistic to me and are things that I already know how to make (like mashed potatoes) but the dessert section looks great and I am considering buying one or two of the other BC books. Very impressive and the photographs inside the book are gorgeous. I would recommend adding this to any cookbook collection.

Description: simple, straight-forward, everyday, delicious, must try, great cook book. I was impressed by the easy going, not fancy yet absolutely flavorful recipes. Also try FINGER LICKING DIFFERENT!

This cookbook is absolutely fabulous!!! The recipes are simple, yet elegant. My favorite is the Tequila Lime Chicken!

I'll just characterize one which drove me nuts. I watched the TV version of Leg of Lamb, and saw the picture in the book. Recipe calls for an 8 lb boneless Leg of Lamb, but the picture shows a Leg of Lamb with the bone it it! Such a Leg of Lamb would be HUGE! I saw one. Wouldn't even fit in a large pan. After shopping around to one butcher after another, and finding the only Leg of Lamb with a bone in that would fit in a pan to be between 3-4 lbs, I gave up and bought a large one with no bone. It was OK, but not as tender as I would have liked.

It bugs me when the recipe isn't the same as the presentation.

This cookbook is a staple in my home. They are easy recipes and taste incredible. Her chicken soup, chicken pot pie, and clam chowder are real hits with my husband and children. The primerib recipe is the absolute best!!! These are great recipes for a large hungry family.

I was given this book as a gift and have made many things in it already. I have liked all so far and the nice thing is that they are simple to make. No weird ingredients that you'd have to hunt down. I have noticed though that she uses generally more salt than my liking, but maybe not a problem for most. I will be looking for more books by her. Mmmm...

This was just what I was looking for to give the cook in my family. No really exotic recipes she'll never use, but easy and better ways to make favorite dishes.

I have every cookbook Ina Garten has written and have never been disappointed. I have used her recipes for dinner parties, friends and family and even as a charity dinner auction item. The latter was very popluar, and have been asked to donate again. All recipes we used were from her cookbooks. Wouldn't be without them! I also give them as gifts when people want to have my 'recipes'.

I have all Ina Garten's books and I use this one the most. Delicious food, easy to prepare. I always get raves when I cook with Ina.

The recipes are simple and work. It's one of those books you can pick up when your family look at you in that what's-for-dinner way and have a meal on the table pretty quickly. It's got some good tips, e.g. making "homemade gravy" in advance and how to jazz up vegetables in a simple way.

I have all of her books and I love the recipes, but I wish she would publish an index for the total collection of recipes. It would make finding individual recipes so much easier.

Okay, I admit it, I have a thing for the whole Barefoot Contessa Empire, which means I have almost all the cookbooks and it's a great way to compare and contrast them. With that said, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, is by far my favorite one and the one I would most highly recommend to anyone wanting the most "bang for their buck." First let me say that it's a beautiful cookbook, with great pictures and wonderful comments by Ina Garten. But the main attraction, the recipes, are the stars. I am so impressed with the easy, well written delicious recipes from each chapter that many have become family favorites. How about Parmesan chicken, lightly breaded moist cutlets, with an arugala/parmesan salad with a lemon viniagrette? My family cant't get enough. Lasagna with turkey sausage and green salad with mustard vinaigrette, so good. Did I mention the desserts? Coconut macaroons, chocolate mousse, and the truely spectacular raspberry cheesecake. Finally my families absolute favorite; breakfast. Challah french toast, banana sour cream pancakes, hash browns and chive biscuits all winners. I have thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes easy, beautifully presented and excellent tasting food.

This is an outstanding cookbook. Ina always puts out the best recipes.

I have never bought a cookbook that had so many recipes that I have and will make.

Wonderful cookbook, love the recipes and pictures.....Love reading the stories she has written in the book also.......Yummy recipes......

This is a fabulous cookbook with more of Ina Garten's mouth watering receipes. I love all of the recipes in this book!

Simple recipes, great taste. My family is very pleased with the recipes I've made from this cookbook. Simple, delicious, good instructions, just a perfect cookbook. I wouldn't be without it, it's the first cookbook (out of over 400) that I reach for when I want something quick, elegant, and delicious.

Simple recipes, great taste. My family is very pleased with the recipes I've made from this cookbook. Simple, delicious, good instructions, just a perfect cookbook. I wouldn't be without it, it's the first cookbook (out of over 400) that I reach for when I want something quick, elegant, and delicious.

I don't like to cook. I become easily frustrated with complex instruction and I have to tell you I LOVE this book. I cook from it all the time and not a single recipe has been difficult. All of the recipes have been great. Even my kids love them. I have never before found recipes my kids enjoyed as much. I have a closet full of cookbooks and I feel like throwing them all away to make room for a shrine to INA. I just got my daughter a copy. She is just living on her own and beginning to entertain. What a fantastic gift for the new cook and the I hate to cook cook and for anyone who wants a fantastic cookbook cook. The best cookbook I have ever owned. Thank you INA.

Easy, simple, high quality food - this is what all cook books should be like! The bottom line is it tastes phenomenal and impresses your friends and family. These recipes do that - each and every one of them. I really feel like Ina personally and carefully selected each recipe for her book and not here editors or some intern. Good job Ina - Loved the food I made from this book!!! ***** 5 Stars

My fiance and I are just starting to branch out from pasta and pizza :) We saw this book at Crate and Barrel and decided to go for it. Ina's book is colorful and easy to follow. We have tried many of the recipes in this book with complete success. We are reallly happy with the results--and I am now back on Amazon to buy another of her books! Truly a great buy.

My fiance and I are just starting to branch out from pasta and pizza :) We saw this book at Crate and Barrel and decided to go for it. Ina's book is colorful and easy to follow. We have tried many of the recipes in this book with complete success. We are reallly happy with the results--and I am now back on Amazon to buy another of her books! Truly a great buy.

I've made several recipes in this book, and they all turn out completely fantastic. The shrimp scampi, though slightly different than your traditional shrimp scampi (drenched in butter and white wine), is absolutely phenomenal--by far the best I've ever had. I'm supposed to make a big Southern meal for my boyfriend for his birthday--fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, etc--and it has to be perfect, since he recently moved from his home in Alabama to California. The first thing I did was go to this book, and found exactly what I was looking for, even though Ina is not considered a "Southern" cook. I have every confidence in the recipes. I highly recommend this cookbook. Ina's recipes are so classy, though not pretentious.

I've made several recipes in this book, and they all turn out completely fantastic. The shrimp scampi, though slightly different than your traditional shrimp scampi (drenched in butter and white wine), is absolutely phenomenal--by far the best I've ever had. I'm supposed to make a big Southern meal for my boyfriend for his birthday--fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, etc--and it has to be perfect, since he recently moved from his home in Alabama to California. The first thing I did was go to this book, and found exactly what I was looking for, even though Ina is not considered a "Southern" cook. I have every confidence in the recipes. I highly recommend this cookbook. Ina's recipes are so classy, though not pretentious.

The recipes in this book are relatively simple to make and delicious. I love the pictures that go with the recipes. This is my second Ina Garten cookbook, and I love it as much as her original cookbook. Your dinner will take on just a hint of class when using the recipes in this book. Very easy, but somewhat sophisticated.

The recipes in this book are relatively simple to make and delicious. I love the pictures that go with the recipes. This is my second Ina Garten cookbook, and I love it as much as her original cookbook. Your dinner will take on just a hint of class when using the recipes in this book. Very easy, but somewhat sophisticated.

ina garten has very helpful suggestions forplanning and preparing when entertaining. i also like her entree's and desserts. they look great and most of all they taste fabulous!

I've tried many of the recipes, and all have required minor or major adjustments. The apple pie, home fries, linguine with shrimp, jam thumbprints...all ranged from average to good, but none yielded picture-perfect results that I expect from a perfectionist like Ina. The last recipe I tried was a major disaster--the home fries. I followed the instructions exactly, and the potatoes never browned--cooking them at a low temp (as instructed) just wouldn't work. Perhaps her quantities are off (maybe less potatoes would keep the pan temp hotter)? I'm very, very disappointed when I follow a recipe EXACTLY and the results are so far off. One or two failures, I could take. More than that...I'm done with Ina.

I have worn this one out! My husband asks, "what are we having for dinner tonight"? "Is that another Barefoot Contessa recipe"? Yes, because I've never had anything I didn't like!

I have used this cookbook more than the other Ina cookbooks... I just love it and them all for that matter, but this is a good cooking for your family book.

Ina is great! i use this cookbook all the time. I like having the color photos on all the recipes too. she doesn't use a ton of different spices and all the recipes i have tried have turned out perfect and yummy!

COULD THEIR POSSIBLY BE ANYTHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
HER RECIPES AS USUAL ARE ALL SUPERB. WELL-WRITTEN AND DELIGHTFUL WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. A MUST-HAVE FOR EVERY COOK'S COLLECTION.

This is one of the greatest cookbooks. I have bought this for most of my family and friends. Ina's recipes are fun and easy to make. Their is a recipe for every occasion.

If Jocelya (or whatever the earlier negative reviewer's name is) thinks that Ina is pretentious, than by all means, she should stick with Rachel Ray. Perhaps I am pretentious, but I think Rachel Ray's food is kind of American townie white trash and would never in a million years buy one of her books. Ina, on the other hand, has a more European approach to her food- simple, good quality, fresh ingredients eaten at a beautiful table with friends and family. Regardless of socioeconomic standing, most Europeans eat well. For many, it is part of their culture. Ina brings that mentality about quality food to her books.
If you find Rachel Ray's hodgepodge style of throwing everything but the kitchen sink in her dishes gross, and her frequent references to how cheaply you can eat annoying, then you will love Ina. Unless you are literally living in poverty (and if you were you would probably not be buying a cookbook), I do not understand how anyone could think that buying good quality or even expensive food is pretentious. But I guess it is all a matter of taste and priorities...mine is to eat exceptionally and I make room in my budget to do so.

If Jocelya (or whatever the earlier negative reviewer's name is) thinks that Ina is pretentious, than by all means, she should stick with Rachel Ray. Perhaps I am pretentious, but I think Rachel Ray's food is kind of American townie white trash and would never in a million years buy one of her books. Ina, on the other hand, has a more European approach to her food- simple, good quality, fresh ingredients eaten at a beautiful table with friends and family. Regardless of socioeconomic standing, most Europeans eat well. For many, it is part of their culture. Ina brings that mentality about quality food to her books.
If you find Rachel Ray's hodgepodge style of throwing everything but the kitchen sink in her dishes gross, and her frequent references to how cheaply you can eat annoying, then you will love Ina. Unless you are literally living in poverty (and if you were you would probably not be buying a cookbook), I do not understand how anyone could think that buying good quality or even expensive food is pretentious. But I guess it is all a matter of taste and priorities...mine is to eat exceptionally and I make room in my budget to do so.

I first saw Ina on the Food Network and was immediately drawn by her cheerful smile and giggle along with her carefree entertaining style. I am an avid collector of cookbooks and am know among my family and friends to be an excellent cook. I own all of Ina's books and use all of them several times a month to change up menus.

This book is an excellent choice for experienced cooks and those who are just exploring cooking at home for small gatherings and families. Recipes in this book are easy to make, primarily with fresh ingredients, and take little prep time.

Ina's approach to entertaining is one many people will adapt to. Serve good food to your guests and be able to spend time with them while you are entertaining--not slaving in the kitchen over the stove. Some advice to those of you who are not familiar with Ina's style---this is unpretentious cooking. Her approach is to celebrate everyday ingredients with a homey, practical approach. Boss coming to dinner---serve fried chicken or meatloaf with mashed potatoes!

Some of my favorite things:

* Potential menus in the back of the book with main courses, sides and desserts also drinks by type of meal. These are really handy when you want to have a few friends over on Friday night and are looking for a menu. As you collect all her books the menus combine to add other variations.

Example:

Breakfasts: Winter breakfast, sunday breakfast, New Years breakfast.
Dinners: Winter Dinner, last Minute Summer Supper.


* Some of the items, when possible, can be made ahead and reheated. This is a great timesaver and encourages you to invite people over on Thursday night after work when you just reheat what you cooked Wed. Or even cook ahead for your Saturday dinner or Sunday dinner.

* Easy to get ingredients, which in today's supermarkets are pretty much available year-round.

* Not alot of food prep and marinating stuff. Chop and go.

This book, along with all of Ina's books, should be in everyone's kitchen.

I first saw Ina on the Food Network and was immediately drawn by her cheerful smile and giggle along with her carefree entertaining style. I am an avid collector of cookbooks and am know among my family and friends to be an excellent cook. I own all of Ina's books and use all of them several times a month to change up menus.

This book is an excellent choice for experienced cooks and those who are just exploring cooking at home for small gatherings and families. Recipes in this book are easy to make, primarily with fresh ingredients, and take little prep time.

Ina's approach to entertaining is one many people will adapt to. Serve good food to your guests and be able to spend time with them while you are entertaining--not slaving in the kitchen over the stove. Some advice to those of you who are not familiar with Ina's style---this is unpretentious cooking. Her approach is to celebrate everyday ingredients with a homey, practical approach. Boss coming to dinner---serve fried chicken or meatloaf with mashed potatoes!

Some of my favorite things:

* Potential menus in the back of the book with main courses, sides and desserts also drinks by type of meal. These are really handy when you want to have a few friends over on Friday night and are looking for a menu. As you collect all her books the menus combine to add other variations.

Example:

Breakfasts: Winter breakfast, sunday breakfast, New Years breakfast.
Dinners: Winter Dinner, last Minute Summer Supper.


* Some of the items, when possible, can be made ahead and reheated. This is a great timesaver and encourages you to invite people over on Thursday night after work when you just reheat what you cooked Wed. Or even cook ahead for your Saturday dinner or Sunday dinner.

* Easy to get ingredients, which in today's supermarkets are pretty much available year-round.

* Not alot of food prep and marinating stuff. Chop and go.

This book, along with all of Ina's books, should be in everyone's kitchen.

This is one of the best cookbooks I've ever bought. When I got it there were at least 6 recipes that I wanted to make immediately. Ina's recipes are simple and absolutely fail-proof. I always get raves whenever I make one of her creations - they are great for everyday and for entertaining. This cookbook should be the one you give as a gift but buy another for yourself because once you look thru it, you will definitely want it.

Hello. I have this cookbook and I absolutely love it. While the negative reviewer below is entitled to feel the way they feel, I do feel that it was a bit much. I personally am a fan of Ina Garten and all of her cookbooks and shows. I am accustomed to her style and that's what really comes through in the book. Maybe you should have looked into it a bit more before you bought it. I am used to her style of cooking and love the cookbook and all the recipes in it. It is very versatile and just yummy! :) Direction is given appropriately for the recipes and I give it 5 stars. If you like Ina and even if you don't, it's a good book to introduce you to some knew things in a very homey way. Good food=Good times.

Hello. I have this cookbook and I absolutely love it. While the negative reviewer below is entitled to feel the way they feel, I do feel that it was a bit much. I personally am a fan of Ina Garten and all of her cookbooks and shows. I am accustomed to her style and that's what really comes through in the book. Maybe you should have looked into it a bit more before you bought it. I am used to her style of cooking and love the cookbook and all the recipes in it. It is very versatile and just yummy! :) Direction is given appropriately for the recipes and I give it 5 stars. If you like Ina and even if you don't, it's a good book to introduce you to some knew things in a very homey way. Good food=Good times.

This is my first time writing an online review; but, I felt compelled to do so after reading one person's negative comments challenging Ina's ability to cook! By way of background, I am a serious cook, with a serious cookbook collection and an even more serious kitchen. (I would say my kitchen rivals the one Ina cooks out of on her show.)

I can say without any hesitation that Ina's recipes are foolproof! Even a novice cook would find success with any of Ina's recipes. That is the beauty behind her style of cooking. I can't tell you how many times I have turned to her books for inspiration. Moreover, I have never been disappointed with the results.

I am not trying to be mean but If the reviewer that blamed Ina for her failure in the kitchen is having problems with these recipes, she really needs a basic course in cooking. Please do not let one person's opinion discourage you from getting this book. If you are still on the fence, print a few of her recipes off the food network site and convince yourself. Ina knows what she is doing!

So happy to have this Ina cookbook - her recipes never miss!! You can really tell how much time she takes to make sure the flavor and texture is just right. My partner and I have been able to impress many friends with her recipes. Keep up the good work Ina!

So happy to have this Ina cookbook - her recipes never miss!! You can really tell how much time she takes to make sure the flavor and texture is just right. My partner and I have been able to impress many friends with her recipes. Keep up the good work Ina!

I don't know who is to blame for my lack of satisfaction, my lack of enthusiasm with this book. The pictures are great, the meals seem like they will be ideal, and I love Ina Garten's television show; it's addictive even after my sad disappointment with using this cookbook, BAREFOOT CONTESSA FAMILY STYLE: Easy Ideas and Recipes that Make Everyone Feel like Family.

I will have to admit, I think, that this is a case of 80/20: Of course, I have to be at least 20 percent to blame for the failure of recipes that I carried out to an unsatisfactory end (though this is only one theory); but Ina Garten should be held responsible for her directions as well.

My other theories include the prospect that Ina Garten does not REALLY want to share her true recipes with the public and also the possibility that Garten does not REALLY know how to cook. Her show is not one, you know like Rachel Ray's, in which no food is ever produced from a refrigerator or oven fully cooked with actual preparations stages skipped....

I'm not here to give Barefoot Contessa a hard time. However, I am here to tell you what problems I had with this FAMILY STYLE edition of her cookbook series:

EXPENSE: I would say that these recipes are pretentious. You may decide that I'm low-class and out of my league. Maybe--!---I certainly felt like it sometimes. And maybe it's only me, but I like recipes that don't call (with the exception of some seasonal ingredients) for me to go out and buy a whole new arsenal of food, a veritable wardrobe of spices, meats and breads--ALL exotic species. Too often, Garten forgets that some (probably a lot) of the people she is talking to actually have budgets to think about and not chefs to whom they can hand off this cookbook with its lovely, glossy photos.

COMPLICATION: Her overworked recipes can leave the cook trying to follow her guidance beside his or herself! These recipes take so much time and attention to detail that I honestly don't suggest that a person (other than a chef or a cook with a great deal of experience) try one without at least one helper--1 meticulous friend to attend the highly detailed instructions while you do the cooking. Shoot, if you have enough friends (and a large enough kitchen) it might be nice to have at least 1 friend available for prep! Additionally, I found that while I might achieve success with a recipe once, due to this factor, it was hard to duplicate.

Recipes That Worked For Me and My Husband:
* Lasagna with Turkey Sausage
* Linguine with shrimp scampi
* Penne with five cheeses
* Parmesan Chicken
* Mashed potatoes & gravy
* Hashed Browns

Recipes That Fell Flat in Our Home:

* Green Salad and Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette (was so disappointed with how the dressing failed to cohere and how the tastes fought each other)
* Real Meatballs and Spaghetti (worked once, but never again)
* Herb-roasted Lamb
* Challah French Toast

Bottom Line: There are too many recipes in this book for me to feel satisfied with the fact that only 6 of them were actually hits. Simple, Efficient Recipes that Still Capture Great Taste Profiles and Health are NOT to be Found in FAMILY STYLE.

On the other hand, I highly recommend Rachel Ray TOP 30, 30-Minute Meals, COMFORT food.

This is a wonderful book. Of course all of Ina's books are first class.
I would recommend it. You will not be disappointed.
N Jorgensen
Omaha, NE

As a recent college grad, and a male at that, I have been told numerous times that I am a wonderful cook. And truthfully, almost every recipie I've been complemented for or asked to make for events has come from this book. Ina Garten's instructions are detailed and easy to follow, her recipies divine, and her presentation is both beautiful and essentially hospitable. The ingredients are also things that people generally already have around, which is perfect for the average person or family. I am finding that this is the first cookbook I turn to when hosting a dinner party for friends or family, even just for eating by myself. For someone who has managed to botch box mixes over these few years, I will hold on to this book and all it contains for years to come.