Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust: A Cookbook

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Looks new!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 3, 2023

I know third party shipping is slower and book shipping is too, but it’s worth it. Good seller very good prices, and I’ve already found 20 things to cook in the next few weeks! So easy to read and understand. Great seller, very fair!

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speedyzedey

Not quite ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 16, 2022

Two and half stars: I love Ina Garten's cookbooks, I think I have them all but there are a number of disappointments in this one that turned out to be far from foolproof. The Minestrone is terrific, the pea and tomato soups not so much. The tomato soup curdled, rescuing it was a challenge. The chocolate cassis cake fell apart completely, the egg whites separated from the batter... the flavor of the what was left was great, though you couldn't taste the cassis at all because of all the chocolate. Seems like it needs some other ingredient (flour?) to hold it together, otherwise it's a disaster.

So many of her other recipes are great, and I love the photography, but you do have to gird yourself for your recipe to not work out...

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J D Morgan

Looks new!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 3, 2023

Verified Purchase

2 people found this helpful

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Meo

Great book, in excellent condition

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 7, 2023

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Love this cookbook and I am so pleased at the excellent condition for a used book.
Quick delivery---FAST SERVICE. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

MEO

One person found this helpful

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Shop82

For old fans or newbies

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 18, 2013

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Up front I'll admit to owning all of Ina's cookbooks, so obviously I'm a fan. That being said, during the years I was raising my children her books wouldn't have worked for me as well. Generally speaking, the recipes are geared more toward a sophisticated adult palate, and the main focus is flavor not budget-friendly meals. Therefore if you find yourself the parent of 3 picky elementary school age children, her books, including FOOLPROOF, may not be for you - at least not yet. Now that it's just my husband, my 20 something daughter, and myself, we eat Ina based meals at least once a week, and often several times a week. When my husband asks, "What's for dinner?" and I answer, "Something from Ina", he automatically assumes it will be delicious and doesn't ask any further questions. She is my go to guru for entertaining as well. I've been "asked for the recipe" on numerous occasions, and I've frequently found that people have heard of Ina and would like to try one of her books but don't know which to choose. This would be a good place to start because, while in my opinion Ina hasn't put out a bad cookbook, I do feel that she keeps getting better and better. Since this is her latest, it has all the charm and yummy recipes that we've come to expect coupled with her own evolving ability to streamline instructions, offer helpful tips, and make the cook feel relaxed and confident. She has also become a bit more conscious about cutting back on salt and butter than in her earlier books, but don't expect it to be a diet book. However, while she may not offer the lowest fat recipes on the planet, what I do appreciate about her is that she puts a lot of emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables and buying local and organic when possible, plus she offers genuinely delicious recipes for various whole grains, legumes, salads, and fish/seafood. Some reviewers have accused Ina of repeating recipes in several of her books. While that may be the case on a few occasions, I think it is painting an unfair and not entirely accurate picture. Ironically, Ina's ability to look at an older recipe and find ways to give it a new twist is one of my favorite things about her. She doesn't reinvent the wheel with each new recipe, which can be daunting for home cooks anyway. Rather she uses techniques and ideas she's already helped us to become familiar with and puts a new, fresh spin on then. I've made quite a few of the recipes in this book, and they've all been very good and satisfying to the soul. Each double-page spread features a gorgeous full-page photograph of the finished product and the complete recipe. I hate when I have to flip back and forth between pages! Two other cookbooks that I particularly like are Back to Basics and How Easy is That? for all the reasons I've noted above. It may help if you're undecided to go to her web site, [...] and click on the Cookbook Index tab where you will find a list of all the recipes by cookbook. It's cheaper to buy them here on Amazon, because the only cookbooks you can purchase on her site are autographed copies. If that's your thing, though, it may be worth the extra money. BOTTOM LINE: If you like Ina's other books, you'll most likely enjoy this new collection of recipes and ideas. And if you're new to Ina, this is a good place to start.

64 people found this helpful

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Lyndell VanMatre

Another Winner from Ina Garten

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 7, 2013

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Once again, Ina has come out with a not-to-be missed cookbook. The recipes are, indeed, foolproof.

"Foolproof means so many,things to me. Clearly, it means that the recipe works-that goes without saying. But there's more to it than that. It's a dish that's deeply satisfying to eat; it's a company-friendly meal that can ne made in advance to reduce your stress; and it's an putrageously delicious dessert that's so easy to make that it becomes part of your regular repertoire. I want these all to be the recipes that you love so much that you make them over and over again because *that's* when a recipe becomes truly foolproof: when you feel that you can almost make it with your eyes closed." EDIT: to be sure this paragraph is recognized as a quote from the book.

She begins with some general cooking tips and then moves into cocktails. Don't miss the Caramelized Bacon nor the Parmesan Crisps (we've probably all made them, but she gives 'em a new -to me- twist.)

In the section on Starters, her Gazpacho with Goat Cheese Croutons is a winner, using canned Marzano tomatoes. I've always loved mussels, made the traditional French way. We have them at least once a month. I was dubious about her Mussels with Saffron Mayonnaise, but decided to try it, but making my own mayonnaise. Delightful! It will be hard to decide which method to use in the future. The Marinated Artichoke Hearts (Artichaut Barigoule) are fabulous. She adds sun-dried tomatoes, carrots, olives, and more.

For Lunch, there's nothing that can touch the Lobster and Potato Salad. Ina says, "The name Barefoot Contessa is about the juxtaposition of elegant and earthy." Perfect! We also enjoyed the Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad; and the recipe for easy Hollandaise is, in fact, easy, and will actually hold for a while!

So many good choices for Dinner. Mustard-Marinated Flank Steak; Amelia's Jambalaya; Straw and Hay with Gorgonzola...I could go on and on. Everything I've tried has been fantastic, not just good.

Vegetables. Sides are always difficult, at least for me. She has given us so many interesting choices here that I feel I can serve up sparkling menus time after time. A few faves: Crispy Roasted Kale (so simple, and I also serve this as hors d'oeuvres); crispy English Potatoes; brown Rice and Wheatberries; and Balsamic Toasted Brussels Sprouts.

Desserts are usually a puzzlement for me. We're not big on desserts, and I look for very light, small, simple things. But her Orange French Lace Cookies, and the traditonal Prunes in Armagnac fill the bill nicely.

Then come sections on Foolproof Table Settings (she does this so well) and Foolproof Menus (perhaps my favorite part of the book.). The menus' dishes either link to recipes in this book, or refer to which of her other books contains them. Very useful.

Finally, Sources...because she gives us her favorite brand name ingredients, it's nice to know where to get them.

Once again, Ina Garten, dare I call her today's Perlel Mesta?, has given us a "complete" book on a culinary/entertaining focus. This book will serve anyone, barest beginner (no cookbook should be without intructions for making chicken stock, and this one has it!) to the most accomplished home cook.

Edited on 15 May by OP, mostly to correct a multitude of typos! Sheesh!

19 people found this helpful

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DeeDiDee

Ina at Her Best

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 2, 2012

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I own all of Ina Garten's cookbooks. I am amazed by how simple she makes cooking seem and every year around Thanksgiving, I start sorting through her recipes and planning my Thanksgiving menu. She delivers top notch results without much fuss, and I think she is probably my favorite long time Food Network personality.

Foolproof is a cookbook that seems to revolve around mistake proof entertaining. When Ina says "foolproof" she doesn't mean a recipe has only five ingredients or that it has only three steps. Ina means she has an ingredient list with easily obtainable ingredients and steps that appeal to your common sense so that you don't worry about whether the recipe will turn out. She tells you what to look for so that you know when each recipe is perfectly done.

She lists ten foolproof tips for cooking. Other chapters include: cocktails; starters; lunch; dinner; vegetables; and desserts. She also gives you 12 foolproof tips for table settings with photographs which help you out if, like me, making a table setting look polished but simple is something you need a little help with. She finishes the book with a foolproof index of menus for special occasions which cross references with special dishes from all of her cookbooks.

She does repeat foolproof recipes from her previous books such as her standard chicken stock, but the book is mostly comprised of new material. I have seen some complaints that some of her ingredients are just too much of a splurge. I like to look at her recipes from a couple of perspectives. She lives in the Hamptons, and ingredients such as lobster are a local, easy-to-obtain natural part of her repertoire. Also, these recipes seem to mostly have an emphasis on entertaining and many of us don't mind splurging a little for a special occasion. She typically will tell you where to source the occasional not so common ingredient such as truffle butter. I'm not certain why anyone would expect budget recipes out of someone who has never been known for them at any point in her career.

This cookbook is the same sturdy hardback that the rest of her classic cookbooks are fashioned in. Her cookbook has wonderful photography and stays open with no help, a real perk if you like to actively cook or don't own a cookbook stand.

I enjoy all of Ina's recipes but have always felt she has a rare gift to make vegetables shine. Her sweet potato puree is very simple to prepare but is full of nice nuances in flavor. I have been using her roasted carrot recipe for over a year now and am delighted to see that she has mixed it up with a recipe for braised carrots and parsnips.She presents a mashed chickpea recipe that is yummy. I will be serving up her chocolate chunk blondie recipe regularly (a neat twist on the chocolate chip cookie). The raspberry shortbread bars are buttery, flavor-filled, and exceptional. Expect food that you turn to when you want to make a delicious impression at a holiday dinner, special occasion, or because you love impressing friends and coworkers with yumminess.

I think her cookbooks consistently get better and become more user friendly with each book. I am excited to test drive this book throughout the holiday season.

477 people found this helpful

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RBCK

Love Ina

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 30, 2022

Verified Purchase

Adding to my collection of her books. I know you can find recipes online but I enjoy sitting and flipping the pages.

14 people found this helpful

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Susan Rousselle

Great book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2022

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Book was in excellent condition and received in a reasonable time.

4 people found this helpful

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Debra Eve

Just in Time for the Holidays, Recipes You Can Really Use!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 31, 2012

Verified Purchase

This book focuses on fall entertaining with a Mediterranean flair, my favorite season and cuisine style, and includes several holiday recipes. I enjoy cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients and lots of olive oil, but appreciate the good shortcut. Here's a few quick recipes I've tried:

Spanish Pea Soup with Crispy Ham: Made with frozen peas and Spanish serrano ham or prosciutto, it's quick, savory, comfort food.

Endive, Orange & Roquefort Salad: I love good vinaigrette! This one has orange juice and zest, perfect with the roasted walnuts and roquefort.

Lobster Corn Fritters: My favorite restaurant used to serve rock shrimp fritters and in all honesty, I substituted shrimp here because I miss them so much. I can only imagine how amazing these are with lobster. Surprisingly easy. In fact, the most complicated recipe in the book is a two-page Jambalaya.

For the holidays, Ina's included Balsamic-Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Orange-Braised Carrots & Parsnips, Truffled Mashed Potatoes, Mushroom & Leek Bread Pudding (which she recommends instead of stuffing, so it won't get soggy), and what looks like a truly foolproof turkey recipe. A couple of beautiful fish recipes too: Sicilian Grilled Swordfish and Salmon with Melting Cherry Tomatoes.

The desert photos made my mouth water and the classics are all there: Ultimate Pumpkin Pie with Rum Whipped Cream, Pecan Sandies, Perfect Pound Cake, plus something called Chocolate Peanut Butter Globs (too much).

This is just a sampling, so it looks like I'll be in the kitchen this weekend. Can't wait! Based on the book's quality, a complete read-through of all the recipes, and my few try-outs, this just might be my favorite outing of The Barefoot Contessa series.

174 people found this helpful

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Harley3904

Oh my goodness!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 30, 2012

Verified Purchase

Oh my goodness! Where have I been? I just recently found Ina on the Food Network and saw that she had a new book. Ordered the book and thought I might find a few recipes that I would be interested in preparing. However, once I received the book and started marking recipes that appealed to me, I realized I was tagging almost every page. I have now begun to make notes in conjunction with her show and realized there are simple, easy, and fast recipes that I can quickly prepare that satisfies both me and my family. My husband's birthday is this weekend and the book inspired me to create a menu that is "Foolproof." The menu consists of Crab Strudels, parmesan crisps for appetizers; Mustard-marinated flank steak served with roasted vegetables, garlic shrimp and mustard & gruyere batons (simply thaw puff pastry, brush with dijon mustard and egg, fold, chill for 15 min, brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with Gruyere, Parmesan cheese, and dash of salt, chill 15 min or until ready to bake at 400 for 15 min) so simple but looks like it was so much effort. Definitely a must in your kitchen collection. Ina has a calming presence in the kitchen and watching her show makes you realize that with a little planning you can prepare delicious meals any time.

9 people found this helpful

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Fayfolks

Love the Raspberry Almond Bars and Sicilian Swordfish!!!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 12, 2012

Verified Purchase

I am an Ina Garten fan! I own all of her cookbooks and have impressed my friends and family by serving up meals using her simple yet satisfying recipes. I have made the Raspberry bars twice since I bought the book a few weeks ago. I made them for our Garden Club and they were devoured by people who usually pass on dessert. I used a 9 x 11 baking dish instead of the square recommended in the recipe. The shortbread crust is very rich and should be spread in a larger dish to maximize yield and cut a few calories.

I served the Sicilian Swordfish with greens for dinner last week and it was delicious, I'm thinking about making it again tonight. I can't wait to try the German Chocolate Cupcakes over the holidays. So far this book has been a hit and features new recipes. My daughter is a young chef who completes her formal training in February. She is also impressed by the book and enjoys Ina's recipes. I can see why the book is a best seller!!! Kudos to Ina. So far the recipes I've tried have been "Foolproof"!

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Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust: A Cookbook

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