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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.
This isn't a cookbook about getting
outrageous with food. The
Barefoot Contessa Cookbook is about warming the hearts and
souls of your guests with familiar food raised to a gourmet level.
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