August farmers markets are bursting with tomatoes, peaches, zucchini, corn, watermelon, and berries at their peak. This guide highlights Ina Garten’s best recipes that showcase summer’s freshest flavors, from simple tomato sandwiches to show-stopping fruit desserts, so you can savor the season while it lasts.
My grandpa discovered a red velvet cake recipe in the ’60s that became a family legend. The key is in the heritage frosting. After tweaking the original recipe, I achieved a moist, tender, and vibrant red sponge. Double the frosting for a perfect four-layer delight!
When the weather is too hot to cook, Ina Garten comes to the rescue. This collection of no-cook Barefoot Contessa recipes keeps your kitchen – from smoked salmon dishes to make-ahead salads and smart store-bought shortcuts, these dishes are summer lifesavers -no oven or stove required.
Try these Spicy Cucumber Margaritas with a Tajin/Sumac Rim! Inspired by Ina Garten’s spicy margarita, this version combines jalapeño-infused tequila, cucumber juice, lime, and honey. It’s a refreshing, spicy drink perfect for summer, with a salty, citrusy kick from the rim.
This week, I revisited Ina Garten’s Barbecued Chicken recipe – a Barefoot Contessa favorite. With a deeply flavorful homemade BBQ sauce that’s sweet, spicy, and packed with umami, it’s no wonder this dish was a top seller at Ina’s East Hampton shop. A timeless classic that’s every bit as delicious today.
In honor of an upcoming Paris trip, we cooked our way through Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris for cookbook club. From classic Boeuf Bourguignon to dreamy profiteroles with salted caramel gelato and warm chocolate sauce, it was a night full of French-inspired favorites and rich, nostalgic Barefoot Contessa flavors.
Whether you’re looking for a dish to take advantage of the bounty of local summer fruits and vegetables, something that’s easily transportable for a potluck cookout, or just pining to fire up the grill, I’ve got you covered!
Ina has some mouth-watering steak options across her 13 books from her spicy/sweet rub for her New York strip steak and simple classics like Filet of Beef au Poivre to butters, sauces, and toppings that’ll turn up the volume on any steak!