If you’re an Ina Garten fan, you probably know she has a new cookbook out. In this latest cookbook, Make It Ahead, Ina takes her 20 years of running a specialty foods store; her extensive knowledge of which dishes can be prepped, assembled, or cooked ahead of time; and her 15 years writing cookbooks, and she answers the most common cooking question she hears all the time — can I make it ahead?
This cookbook is filled with gorgeous and delicious recipes for entertaining. . but I would expect nothing less from the Queen of Entertaining, herself. I’m a big Barefoot Contessa fan, so jumped at the chance to review her new cookbook. Here are some of the recipes that jumped out at me while flipping through this cookbook.
Ina’s Bruschetta with Sautéed Chard. This appetizer is easy, only requires a handful of ingredients and will be the star appetizer at any party.
Ina’s Leek and Artichoke Bread Pudding. Savory bread pudding at its best. This dish should be on every holiday table. I’m not kidding. Make this one for your Christmas dinner or any holiday gathering. The recipe is here.
To read my full review of this cookbook, which includes highlights from Make It Ahead, the recipes I made, the recipes I am going to make next, “10 Make-Ahead Tips for Parties,” the “10 Tips for Safely Storing Food,” and Ina’s “Make-Ahead Menus”, click on over to The Kitchn. Thank you guys!
And if you’re a polenta lover, you can’t miss this one. Ina’s Baked Polenta with Mushrooms and Blue Cheese. Oh my gawd, this is signature Ina right here. Check out this cookbook!
For the longest time, I have wished Ina was my neighbor – I have daydreamed of sampling her leftovers or being a guinea pig for her taste testing – so this book sounds fantastic – and am drooling over that Leek and Artichoke Bread Pudding!
LOVED this review! I caught it on TheKitchn a few days ago, but missed that you write it. Great job! Also, that polenta. Ahhhh
Thanks Erin!!
LOVE Ina! I put her show on every afternoon. Clicking over to read your review now 😉
Love your review, Alice! Love Ina!! And love the idea of that bread pudding for Christmas dinner!
Love Ina…and her home! I’ve dreaming of polenta and Baked Polenta with Mushrooms and Blue Cheese sounds delicious!
oh Ina…making the world a better place one dish at a time:)
Great review! I was planning to get this as a gift for my cousin’s birthday.
We made her mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving–but subbed Boursin for the goat cheese–and they were totally phenomenal. But that was no surprise.. I’m a massive Ina fan. That bread pudding looks OMIGOD-AMAZING.
Great review, loved it!
I can never have too much Ina! Love her!
I love to make things ahead, especially when we’re having people over. It’s so nice to not be cooking while everyone else is socializing!
Great review btw! I cracked up when I read that Ina started the book with a dog treat recipe!
Ok I want that polenta!! I loved the review Alice 🙂 I cant wait to buy this one now.
I love Ina’s recipes, and I saw her Make Ahead turkey and gravy in Food Network magazine. She’s the make-ahead maven! I know I need this cookbook because I want to be with all of my guests having fun, not in the kitchen! 🙂
Loved Ina and your review! I love meals that you can make ahead. The polenta and artichoke bread pudding look incredible!!
My mother-in-law asked for this book for Christmas, but I’ll definitely be giving it a good perusing before wrapping it up 🙂
Love Ina, so I’m looking forward to reading your review. Heading over to The Kitchn now!
Thank you, Geraldine!!
Polenta and blue cheese, two of May serious loves together! Love it! I think we cou.ld all use so,e short cuts in the kitchen (especially) in the lead up to the silly season. Something tells me though, that you’ve always got things covered 😉
I’ve been baking and cooking from that cookbook since the moment I could get it in my hot little hands. Everything as usual is so wonderful, but I’ve yet to make that polenta. OMG is right. So stunning!
I love this cookbook! I’ve made her chocolate terrine, but now you’ve given me 3 more must make recipes 🙂