One of my favorite cookbooks.

I received this book as a gift 2 years ago and have made nearly every recipe in the book since then. My husband considers the recipes in Barefoot Contessa Family Style to be foolproof - because every time we try a new recipe it becomes one of our favorites. I have even experimented with recipes from this book when having dinner guests (knowing that Ina wouldn't let me down, I didn't see it as such a big risk) and each time it has been a complete success. Among our all-time favorites are "Linguine with Shrimp Scampi" and "Lasagna with Turkey Sauasage". I also recommend her book Barefoot Contessa Parties, ISBN: 0609606441. Ina Garten knows all the tricks for throwing a stress-free, comfortable and super-fun dinner party! You can't go wrong with this book!

Dissapointing

I love Ina's cooking show and I decided to buy one, I did that after reading the raving reviews. Getting the book, it was huge disappointment. There is not that many spectacular recipes in the book. I would rather recommend a latest find on the shelf that came out recently Catherine's Kitchen ISBN 1420832123. It contains great appetizers and a fantastic mexican soup that is to die for, it also have a couple of anekdots that are very entertaining to read. This book I find a gem amongst a whole ray of cookbooks that is out there. Ina's book is a kind of waste of money. I will save my money and just watch her on the foodnetwork show.

Simply delicious

My mother gave me this cookbook for Christmas and it has been the only one I've used since. As the mother of two small children, but also someone who loves to cook, this book has been perfect. The recipes are not too complicated and most are quite fast to make -- and they turn out wonderful and very gourmet-tasting. I haven't made anything in it yet that wasn't terrific. Ina Garten teaches that it's all about using good ingredients and she even lists 9 ingredients you'll use again and again in the back of the book. There are also great recipes for kids. Wonderful!

Sara Ellington
Author of The Mommy Chronicles
Conversations Sharing the Comedy and Drama of Pregnancy and New Motherhood
(Hay House, 2005)
www.themommychroniclesbook.com