Ina Garten's 11 Best Winter Recipes, Because the Barefoot Contessa Definitely Knows Her Stuff (2024)

I am a huge Ina Garten fan. Huge. When my sister and I were growing up, her Food Network show, Barefoot Contessa, was one of those rare things we never argued over. We didn't do much "cooking" as teenagers, but I think we liked Garten herself. Through the show, you really get a glimpse of the hostess' lifestyle with all of the visits from friends and family — including her husband Jeffrey, who I feel like I know on the level of a best friend's dad because of his regular appearances. My mom must have noticed my obsession, because nearly every Christmas for the last 10 years, she has given both me and my sister Garten's latest cookbook.

What I love about the Barefoot Contessa is how soothing and practical her cooking advice is. Her theory is that the freshest, best ingredients you can find make for delicious meals. Makes sense. Also, she's sort of like a scientist, trying and trying the recipes for us until she figures out the perfect formula. She makes cooking seem approachable, and she makes entertaining seem like a cinch, even to those of us (like me!) who might not be super confident in the kitchen.

All of her cookbooks provide great recipes and advice, plus they warm the heart — which is why I've compiled 11 of her crowd-pleasing winter recipes that I have used on more than one occasion. These recipes come from all of her cookbooks, and I swear they will have you saying, "How easy is that?" just like the Barefoot Contessa herself.

1. Perfect Roast Chicken

Want to look like a culinary genius, but don't want to waste quality bonding time in the kitchen at a gathering? This perfect roast chicken recipe is your go-to. Garten's highest rated recipe for a reason, her roast chicken has that homey, mouthwatering smell that will have your dinner guests at hello. Plus, you can do the prep work before people arrive, so you can mingle. (The Barefoot Contessa would approve of that.)

2. Linguine with Shrimp Scampi

Oh, wow. Seriously, this slightly spicy, buttery, lemony dish is freaking awesome. It seems complicated, but watch the four-minute tutorial video... I swear, Garten will inspire you to make this pasta tonight. If you do all the chopping and measuring beforehand, it comes together in a flash. A good go-to for impressing a new boyfriend or girlfriend!

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Healthy, salty, and addictive, these roasted Brussels sprouts are the best vegetable I've tried. Like, ever. With only four ingredients and very little prep work, they are super easy to pop in the oven while something (or someone) else cooks. Be a rockstar with this side-dish — Garten has found the perfect formula so you can relax and know the results will be fantastic.

4. Roasted Salmon With Herbs

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If you want to add some omega-3's to your diet, but don't necessarily love the taste of salmon on its own, this Barefoot Contessa at Home salmon dish is for you. The fresh herbs cut through the oiliness of the salmon, and it's certainly a dish you can feel good about. It brightens up even the dreariest of winter evenings. Also, you're in for a lovely, bright smell experience after chopping these fragrant herbs.

5. Mushroom Lasagna

Mmmm, comfort food. I love this Barefoot Contessa mushroom lasagna recipe because of the short ingredient list and lack of tomato sauce (I'm not a tomato person). Plus, if you're like me and you only have time to cook once or twice a week, this meal will last and last. The leftovers keep well, freeze well, and taste seriously amazing. I think the secret is the nutmeg, but I'm no Contessa.

6. Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

This smart, yummy salad is not exactly a winter recipe, but it's such a winner I had to include it. Roasting the tomatoes adds a ton of flavor, and how can you go wrong here? I mean, mozzarella cheese? Basil? This salad could easily stand on its own with the addition of some chicken or shrimp, but it also works well as a chic side-dish that doesn't take much assembly. And it's so, so good.

7. Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash

OK, this one takes maybe a teeny tiny bit more skill than the others, but I had to put the recipe on here because it is one of my all-time faves. Butternut squash is such an amazing winter veggie, and the addition of the saffron makes this dish feel sumptuous — like a luxurious blanket you can wrap yourself in after a tough winter day.

8. Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Apple Chutney

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Garten recently gave fans a peak at this fab and flavorful dinner recipe from her 2014 cookbook Make It Ahead on Today.com. If you are looking for something a little different, try this — it's sweet and savory, and it warms you to the core.

9. Roasted Asparagus

Asparagus seems so plain, so predictable. Not with the Barefoot Contessa, it isn't! This fantastic recipe kicks it up a notch. I swear, every time I make it, it is the thing on the table that people rave about — and there are only six ingredients. And it takes like, no time. Pair it with, well, anything. It's even a good brunch staple.

10. Green Beans with Shallots

Another great Barefoot Contessa classic veggie side that will satisfy even your pickiest dinner guest/family member/roommate, string beans and shallots is a recipe that is cheap, simple, and easy to memorize. The shallots add a nutty, salty flavor that is pure deliciousness. Make it once by the recipe and you'll have it down.

11. Tri Berry Crumbles

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Glamour magazine divulged this scrumptious dessert recipe from Garten's new cookbook Make It Ahead. Berries are my fave in the winter, because the frozen ones taste just as amazing as the fresh ones. And this dessert has so many healthy ingredients, it's practically guiltless. (So I tell myself.) Do what the Barefoot Contessa says, and pair it with Haagen Dazs ice cream. You deserve it.

Image: Reprinted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. Copyright © 1999 by Ina Garten. Photographs copyright © 1999 by Melanie Acevedo. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

Image: Reprinted from Barefoot Contessa Family Style. Copyright © 2002 by Ina Garten. Photographs copyright © 2002 by Maura McEvoy. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC

Image: Reprinted from Make it Ahead. Copyright © 2014 by Ina Garten. Photographs copyright © 2014 by Quentin Bacon. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC

Images: The Kitchn (2); Five and Spice; Mel's Kitchen; How Sweet It Is; Damn Delicious; Food Network; Half Baked Harvest

Ina Garten's 11 Best Winter Recipes, Because the Barefoot Contessa Definitely Knows Her Stuff (2024)

FAQs

Is Barefoot Contessa actually barefoot? ›

However, Garten is never actually barefoot in any of the episodes of her Food Network show (please correct us if we're wrong), and Curry, a Food Network insider, has never seen them. But, Rosner and Curry agree: the Barefoot Contessa's feet (if she does indeed have feet) are probably perfect.

How old was Ina Garten when she bought Barefoot Contessa? ›

In 1978, shortly after she turned 30, Garten gave up her DC life and decided to buy a small specialty food shop called Barefoot Contessa.

Why did Ina Garten name her store Barefoot Contessa? ›

Barefoot Contessa store

She often worked 12 hour days at the business. The store had been named by its original owner in tribute to the 1954 film which starred Ava Gardner. Garten kept the name; it meshed well with her idea of an "elegant but earthy" lifestyle. Ironically, as of 2006 she had not seen the film.

Why did Ina Garten not have kids? ›

Garten, who married husband Jeffrey nearly 55 years ago when she was 20 years old, said that her own childhood is the main reason why she didn't want to expand her family. “I'm actually writing a memoir right now and it's kind of looking back at my childhood. It was nothing I wanted to recreate,” she shared.

Does Ina Garten have a college degree? ›

Ina Garten once worked in the White House and worked her way up, which eventually put her in charge of writing the nuclear budget for the United States. She also managed to earn her MBA from George Washington University at the same time. Despite her success, she decided she wanted a different life.

How is Ina Garten so rich? ›

Garten first became wealthy thanks to real estate. Before becoming famous, she purchased, renovated and flipped old homes, which gave her the funds to buy her original Barefoot Contessa shop. After Barefoot Contessa closed, she retained ownership of the property, garnering income from new tenants.

What does Ina Garten's husband Jeffrey do for a living? ›

Currently, Jeffrey serves as the Dean Emeritus at the Yale School of Management and teaches courses on the global economy. According to his faculty page, prior to joining Yale, he worked for multiple White House administrations, served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was a managing director on Wall Street.

What is Ina Garten's nickname? ›

Besides being recognized for her delectable dishes, Food Network chef Ina Garten is also known for her nickname "Barefoot Contessa,'" a label that may leave many wondering where the origin came from.

Did Ina Garten turn down a Make a Wish Kid? ›

Ina Garten, chef and host of the Food Network show “Barefoot Contessa,” has been taking heat for twice rejecting a child's Make-a-Wish request. The child's wish was to meet Garten because he would watch her show from his sickbed.

What religion is Barefoot Contessa? ›

Ina Garten is a Jewish American author and host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa. She is known for designing her recipes with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and time-saving tips.

Does Ina Garten use a microwave? ›

In addition to quick oatmeal, Ina Garten has also been known, on occasion, to use her microwave for simplifying what are usually more complicated cooking techniques. For example, she uses her microwave to not only melt butter but make clarified butter, in which the milk solids have been removed.

What white dishes does Ina Garten use? ›

She writes, "They both have a huge range of white china. For example, my large serving bowls are Crate and Barrel brand, and my Pillivuyt and Apilco dishes are from Williams-Sonoma."

Does Ina Garten cook in her own kitchen? ›

But we'd guess that not many of us spend as much time in our kitchens as Ina Garten, the Food Network personality and cookbook author who goes to work in her kitchen all year long.

Is Barefoot Contessa filmed at her home? ›

Several years ago, Garten built a second kitchen in a barn on her property so she could have somewhere to film episodes of Barefoot Contessa (she told Oprah Daily all about it in 2021). But Garten's home kitchen, where she still cooks meals for friends and family, has remained untouched for 25 years—at least until now.

Is the Barefoot Contessa a trained chef? ›

The rest is history: She didn't attend cooking school or learn from a grandmother, but she picked up skills out of necessity while running her specialty food store, Barefoot Contessa.

What did Barefoot Contessa do before cooking? ›

Before becoming a celebrity chef, Garten worked for the government. In the late 1970s, Garten lived in Washington, DC, and worked for the White House Office of Management and Budget. According to Insider, Garten worked under both Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, helping to write the nuclear energy budget.

What does the Barefoot Contessa's husband do for a living? ›

He is now a revered professor and Dean Emeritus at the Yale School of Management, where he lectures about the global economy. He's also, like his wife, an author. But his subject matter is not food but global economics and politics.

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