Back To Basics with the Barefoot Contessa

Get out your KitchenAid and sharpen your knives, the Barefoot Contessa's sixth book is on the shelves and it's a keeper!  As Ina says, "How bad can that be?".

Okay, I admit that I'm a a bona-fide Barefoot Contessa junkie.  I have all her books, Tivo all her shows and  actually own some of her cooking DVD's.  That's why, on November 14th I, along with my friend Lisa, went to the Williams-Sonoma store in Santa Monica and stood in line for two and a half hours to meet Ina Garten and have her autograph our newly purchased copies of Back To Basics($35 retail; $19.79 at Costco).  As always, the recipes are straight forward, sophisticated yet casual and there are loads of mouthwatering photos. 

   

For this holiday season, I have tested a few recipes especially for you.  The Pomegranate Cosmopolitan is a festive seasonal drink that can be made a few days ahead, "Who wouldn't love that!"  Ina's version is delicious, however, I like my mixed drinks on the sweeter side, so I added extra pomegranate and cranberry juices.

For those who love Christmas and all the trimmings, you will love Old Fashioned Gingerbread.  Make sure you don't under bake it.  Err on the side of over baking.  Once the gingerbread is cooled, make sure the top is flat, otherwise, the glaze will pool to the middle.  If necessary, use a serrated knife to square off the top. 

 

Last, but definitely not least, French Apple Tart is worth the price of the book alone!  It's a winner, both elegant and rustic, and it could not be simpler.  It's my new go-to dessert!  Don't waste your money on the Calvados Ina recommends at $48 a bottle.  Look for Apple Jack apple brandy instead (around $16). 

Happy eating and should you need to e-mail Ina, she can supposedly be reached at ina@barefootcontessa.com or I recently found this e-mail address for her in House Beautiful magazine, inaforhb@hearst.com., "How easy is that!" 

Comments

[Lisa]

LOL!! See Erika, that's what separates you from me...I haven't tried even one thing in the book yet! But leave it to you to have already whipped up 3 items (if that's even all...something tells me you may have tried more but the photos didn't come out good enough to print here!)
Is this my 15 minutes of fame?!?!?!?!? Thanks babe!
Love you,
Lisa

[Joyce M.]

How did you discover you could use Apple Jack Brandy instead? I paid for the Calvados!

[Elisa Previn]

You gotta love Costco -do they really have that book already? I'm there!

[Suzie E.]

Oh I am with Lisa in the photo - who commented above. I would never try that apple thing. Did you make that or is that Ina's photo from the book? Personally I like her first book best. The recipes in this new book seems like she's trying too hard. Back to Basics? I disagree!

[Erika Novick]

Joyce,
Well, after I fainted, and the clerk in the liquor department picked me up off the floor, he told me about Apple Jack! It worked great! You don't have to worry anymore since you sprung for the Calvados, ouch! Next time you should ask me first!
Erika

[Erika Novick]

Elisa,
I'm not sure if the book is actually in the store yet, but it was on the Costco website and that is how I know the price! My guess is that it is in the store. Run, Elisa, run!
Erika

[Erika Novick]

Suzie,
Why yes, I did make that apple thing and those are my photos! The French Apple Tart was amazing and so easy! I wish you would try it. Hey ladies, if you are reading this and have made the tart, show some support and tell Suzie how delicious it is!
Erika

[Lisa]

Hi Suzie,
I think you misunderstood my post!! I meant to convey that the difference between lazy me and my active friend Erika is that she is already making things from the book while I am still sitting around reading it! I haven't tried anything yet not because I don't think the recipes look great, but because I am just too lazy to get up and do it (unlike Erika!) It was really saying more about me than about the recipes in the book.
But believe me, if Erika says she tried a recipe and it's easy, then don't worry...it's easy!
Happy Holidays!
Lisa (aka Erika's lazy friend!!!)

[LisaM]

I tasted Erkia's apple tart right after she made it and yes, it looks just like the picutre. It was beautiful as well as delish. I can't wait to make it for myself.

[LisaM]

I meant Erika!

[Brielmselslor]

http://ezmmf.fm.interia.pl/fof.html ben silver glasses

[San Diego LASIK eye surgery]

Barefoot Contessa is the best! Her Tiramisu is the best I've ever been able to make :)

[linda]

I have never made that recipe if you can believe that - but you are inspiring me!

[erika novick]

Hey Linda, why all this interest now in that blog?
xoxoxox,
E

To: erikanovick@hotmail.com

[linda]

Oh we get hits on the Barefoot Contessa stuff all the time - people just put it in Google and search for what is written about all the recipes. Very popular topic. It just seems there have been comments lately for people tapping on your article. Who knows why? It's one of the many mysteries I can't figure out about the web! xo

[enis]

This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives in-depth information. Thanks for this nice article