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

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

What does Ina Garten eat every day? ›

Not just any old oatmeal will do when it comes to the Barefoot Contessa. "I've had the same thing for breakfast every single day for ten years: coffee and McCann's quick-cooking Irish oatmeal," Garten told Bon Appétit in a 2017 article. And her love of the stuff is well-documented.

Did Ina Garten own Barefoot Contessa? ›

Back in 1978, Garten bought a 400-square foot specialty food store in the Hamptons already named the Barefoot Contessa by its previous owners. She ran the store for nearly 20 years before selling it in 1996. The doors to the original Barefoot Contessa closed in 2003, but Garten has clearly carried on its legacy.

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Why do they call Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa? ›

"So many people ask, 'What does Barefoot Contessa mean?' It was the original name of my specialty food store after a movie with Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart," she writes, adding that for her "it means being both elegant and earthy," two personas which we think Garten has perfected.

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What is the simplest dish in the world to cook according to Ina Garten? ›

The Simplest Dish In The World To Make, According To Ina Garten. After testing recipes for various projects all day, Ina Garten prefers to make something simple, quick, and ready straight out of the oven. Her favored dish is roast chicken. To make a roast chicken, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

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What does Ina Garten always say? ›

#BarefootContessa #InaGarten | ina garten | TikTok. But you know what I always say? You can be miserable before you eat a cookie, and you can be miserable afterwards. But never while you're eating a cookie.

Why doesn t Ina Garten have children? ›

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.

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Was Ina Garten a White House chef? ›

For over 20 years, Ina Garten has shared her comforting and foolproof recipes with the world through her beloved cookbooks and "Barefoot Contessa" show. But before becoming a Food Network star, Garten wrote budgets at the White House and ran a Hamptons grocery store.

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Is Martha Stewart friends with Ina Garten? ›

Martha Stewart and Ina Garten were friends before her appearance on Martha Stewart Living. "I first met Ina Garten about 10 years ago while I was shopping in the Barefoot Contessa," Martha Stewart shared as she introduced viewers to her longtime friend on the 1999 episode of "Martha Stewart Living."

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Why does Ina Garten have a child? ›

Ina Garten hinted at having a challenging childhood during a recent interview — revealing that it's the reason why she decided not to start a family with her husband, Jeffrey. When asked if she thought having children would hinder her career, she responded “much harder,” before she went on in more detail.

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Is Ina Garten Religious? ›

Garten is Jewish by birth and heritage, as is her husband, but rarely refers to her religion and ethnicity, though they are showcased through the inclusion of classic Jewish cooking in her television show and cookbooks, when she makes such dishes as rugelach, challah, and brisket.

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What ethnicity is Ina Garten? ›

Born Ina Rosenberg to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York City and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, Garten was one of two children born to Charles H. Rosenberg, a surgeon specializing in otolaryngology, and his wife, Florence (née Rich), a dietitian.

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What white dishes does Ina Garten use? ›

Another, pricier option is the White Dinnerware set from Pillivuyt, a French brand Ina recommends for serving ware as well. Aside from the simple, clean lines, both sets are dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe, a must in Ina's—and our—book.

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Is Ina Garten leaving Food Network? ›

Barefoot Contessa hasn't produced new episodes since 2021, and anyone who still has cable knows that Food Network doesn't show Garten's TV shows as often as we'd like. However, Garten recently announced that she's working on new episodes for the cooking network.

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What food scale does Ina Garten use? ›

If you're starting to get into baking of any stripe, including bread (and have you seen Ina's Thanksgiving desserts?!) it's time to think about getting a good digital scale like Ina's pick, the OXO Kitchen Scale. Not only does it improve the taste of your desserts as it's more precise, but it cuts down on mess.

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What fast food restaurant does Ina Garten like? ›

However, that doesn't mean Garten won't eat out from time to time. While it may seem like you're likely to find her in a fancy restaurant eating a meal that's comparable to what Garten can whip up in her kitchen, you might actually catch her in a fast food restaurant, namely Shake Shack.