Lauren Bacall gets cranky when Barefoot Contessa, an East Hampton specialty food store/institution for more than 20 years, is sold out of Indonesian Ginger Chicken. She can now thank her lucky stars that exuberant owner Ina Garten has written The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and included this recipe. Ms. Bacall is sure to be pleased to discover how easy it is to achieve such fantastic flavor. Simplicity is something of a bottom line at Barefoot Contessa. "Food is not about impressing people," Ina Garten says. "It's about making them feel comfortable."

Aimed at the cook who intends to entertain, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook draws on Garten's experience as a caterer, as well as her knowledge of what customers really want to eat when they arrive at her shop. She has culled her favorite recipes and has included timesaving tips, always striving for ease and simplicity. Neither cooking nor entertaining should be a chore, according to Ina Garten, and her lovely cookbook is a case in point.

This is an intensely illustrated cookbook that shows the foods to best advantage (and makes it a lovely gift book). Presentation counts for a great deal, and Garten's food styling adds to any food platter. But just as relevant are photos that bring in the spirit of fresh, locally grown produce. There's the local poultry producer proudly holding a laying hen in case anyone should wonder where the eggs come from.

Starting with appetizers, Ina Garten isn't afraid to include such basics as hummus and guacamole: she knows from experience that her versions make a profound impact. There are French Onion Soup and Corn Cheddar Chowder, Baked Virginia Ham and Salmon with Fennel, Roasted Carrots and Caramelized Butternut Squash--and then one killer dessert after another. Included, too, are some breakfast specialties. Any upscale bed and breakfast could have this book in the kitchen and get rid of all others.

LOVE THE CONTESSA!!!!

I own about 20 cookbooks, most of which sit on the shelf and collect dust. But not the Contessa's!!! I have 3 of her cookbooks (including this one) and LOVE each and every one of them! All three are dogeard and the pages covered in various ingredients from so much use.

I ALWAYS receive rave reviews when I make one of Ina's dishes!

As far as I'm concerned you simply CAN'T go wrong purchasing a cookbook with the name INA GARTEN on the front!

The Barefoot Contessa Saved my Dinner Hour!

Thanks to Ina Garten, my family is finally eating decent dinners! I love the recipes because they are simple, easy to prepare, and delicious! I love to cook, but at the end of a long day I used to have a really hard time getting inspired to make something good for dinner. Now, I just open up Barefoot and pick two recipes, and voila! dinner. My husband's favorite recipe is the Indonesian Chicken and my kids like the Turkey meatloaf with Parmesan smashed potatoes - yum!

Beautifull book

Love this book; I'm a big fan of the barefoot Contessa. The recipes are simple and Delicious. I would recommend it to everyone. I already gave this book as a gift to 2 of my girlfriend and there were delighted!
I also bought Simple and Simply Delicious by Sylvie Rocher ...Great book. Simple and Delicious recipes