After more than twenty years of running Barefoot Contessa, the acclaimed
specialty food store, Ina Garten published her first collection of
recipes. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook was an overnight sensation,
but it's the kind of success that can only be grounded in years of
experience. In it, Ina shared her ideas for familiar food but with
outstanding flavor and -- most important of all -- recipes that really
work.
Now, with Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ina shares secrets she has
gleaned from her years not only as a caterer but as a dedicated party
giver. The keyword here is fun. Ina's parties are easy to prepare and
fun for everyone, including the host. Forget those boring Saturday-night
dinners that just won't end. With Ina's advice, you're certain to have
all your friends saying, "Wasn't that fun!"
Ina has packed Barefoot Contessa Parties! with plans for pulling off
parties like a pro, stories about her own parties, and tips on
assembling food (rather than cooking everything) and organizing like a
caterer. In the spring you can invite your friends to a party where they
all make their own pizzas. Come summer, it's into the garden for a lunch
with grilled lamb and pita sandwiches that guests assemble themselves.
In the autumn, when it's not Thanksgiving, Ina roasts a fresh turkey,
which her friends enjoy with popovers and a creamy spinach gratin. And
on a snowy winter's day, everyone is invited for a lunch buffet with
seafood chowder and butternut squash and apple soup.
Ever since Ina published her first book, people write, e-mail, and stop
her on the street to say how much they love the food. She's reached new
heights here with recipes like sour cream coffee cake--the ultimate
breakfast treat. Salads? The red lettuce, balsamic onions, and blue
cheese; Chinese chicken salad; and panzanella may be the best you've
ever tasted. Filet of beef is easy to make for a fancy dinner with
oh-so-good gorgonzola sauce, or sliced into sandwiches and served with
lobster rolls for a Superbowl party. And fans of The Barefoot Contessa
Cookbook will be delighted to find the recipe for the Lemon Cake they
drooled over but only saw pictured, right here in this book.
With so many great ideas and recipes in these pages for you to use, your
friends will start to wonder why your parties are always so much fun.
