After cooking through Ina Garten’s Make It Ahead, I’m ranking my 10 favorite recipes from the book, including Jalapeño Margaritas, Ham & Leek Empanadas, Roast Chicken with Bread & Arugula Salad, Tri-Berry Crumbles, and Thanksgiving staples that prove Ina’s make-ahead recipes are as practical as they are delicious.
After cooking every recipe in Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa at Home, I’m sharing the dishes that earned a permanent place in my kitchen. From Summer Garden Pasta and Beatty’s Chocolate Cake to unexpected favorites, this guide highlights the cookbook’s best recipes and explains why it remains my recommendation for beginners.
Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Parties! taught me how to entertain with simple, make-ahead recipes that actually feel doable. Here are my honest thoughts on the menu-focused format, what makes the book so useful, and my favorite recipes, from Panzanella to Caramel Chocolate Nut Ice Cream.