When I have the time, I enjoy cooking. There is something very satisfying about making a home cooked meal for loved ones. Perhaps a nod to my Italian-American heritage, Italians love and appreciate fine cooking and delicious meals. That being said, I do not enjoy recipes with extensive ingredient lists and elaborate directions. For this reason, I am a fan of the Barefoot Contessa cook books. The recipes are relatively simple with fresh ingredients and delicious flavors. The best part, in my experience, the Barefoot Contessa recipes always seem to turn our well. I am a big fan of her Back to Basics, Foolproof, and Barefoot in Paris books, by Ina Garten.
A couple pre-cooking recommendations:
-Read your recipe before you start cooking so that you’ve reviewed your cooking “roadmap” before all of your “kettles are on the stove.”
-Follow recipes’ exact directions, e.g. kosher salt vs. regular table salt.
-Prep what you can ahead of time. I always find entertaining more enjoyable when my cooking is already or mostly complete.
-Measure your ingredients.
With spring cooking in mind, my six favorite recipes below:
ONE // Country French Omelet (Back to Basics)
TWO // Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad (Back to Basics)
THREE // Homemade Pesto (Back to Basics)
FOUR // Green Beans Gremolata (Foolproof)
FIVE // Salmon and Melting Cherry Tomatoes (Foolproof)
SIX // French Apple Tart (Back to Basics)
Happy spring and cooking!
Gabriella
SHOP THIS POST (Some current kitchen favorites)
