Thursday, May 23, 2013

DON’T BE CONFUSED!

There are two lines of dinners with the word Contessa in the title in your grocer’s freezer.  Just be sure to look for my BAREFOOT CONTESSA sauté DINNERS for two that feature bright red stripes on the package.  It has a picture of me on it so you’ll know it’s mine!  I hope you love them.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

RHUBARB SEASON!

Rhubarb is only in season for a short time in the Spring but it’s worth waiting for.  I love to stew it with strawberries and raspberries - and maybe with a splash of Grand Marnier, too!   It’s great for dessert with a cookie but also delicious for breakfast with a dollop of Greek yogurt.  I hope you love it, too!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

GIADA WAS HERE!

Giada De Laurentiis was here on Wednesday to film with me and we had a wonderful day together!  She made her divine Lemon Mascarpone Gnocchi for me (who knew gnocchi could be so light??) and I made my intense Chocolate Cassis Cake with fresh berries for her.  The tulips were finally blooming and we ate Lobster & Potato Salad in the garden with my friend Frank Newbold.  It was one of those magical days with really good friends.

Friday, March 29, 2013

DINNER’S READY!

Lots of people have asked where my Barefoot Contessa Sauté Dinners for Two are available so I wanted to update the list of stores for you. Right now, they're in the freezer sections of Marsh, Safeway, Schnucks, Shaw's, and ShopRite. They are also coming soon to AWG, Bashas', Crest Foods, Giant, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Homeland, Meijer, Price Chopper, Publix, Raney's, Spartan Stores, Stop & Shop, select Walmart Supercenters, and Woodman's. They'll be available in grocery stores across the country over the next few months and I'll keep you posted. I hope you try them and love them!

Monday, March 11, 2013

DINNER FOR TWO!

Sometimes even I don't have time to cook!  I'm thrilled to announce that my new line of Barefoot Contessa Sauté Dinners for Two is coming to the freezer section of a grocery store near you. We're available at Shop Rite now and will roll out nationwide over the next few months.

As I have done with my cookbooks and television show, I’m personally involved in every step of creating these delicious dinners.  Based on my favorite recipes and using great ingredients, they allow you to cook a fresh dinner for your family in about 10 minutes.  Even Jeffrey can't tell the difference!

There are nine dinners, including Barefoot Contessa Beef Stew Bourguignon (pictured), Sesame Chicken & Noodles, and Shrimp Scampi & Linguine and they sell for about $8.99.

I hope you love them as much as I do!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

MY FAVORITE COOKBOOKS!

Writing cookbooks means I love to read them, too.  So of course I have cookbooks piled up everywhere!  I decided to build a room at the barn with lots of bookshelves so I could actually see what I have.  This weekend, East Hampton was completely snowed in so I decided it was the perfect opportunity to organize my books.  Some cookbooks were covered in food with the pages stuck together and some looked as though I’d never cracked them open, so I was reminded how I keep using the same cookbooks over and over again.  For me, they’re often the cookbooks from specialty food stores that have easy recipes that become staples in my house.  These are some of my favorites –

Anna Pump - “Summer on a Plate” (Loaves and Fishes)

Sarah Leah Chase – “Nantucket Open-House Cookbook” and “Cold-Weather Cooking”

Kathleen King – “Tate’s Bake Shop Cookbook” and “Baking for Friends”

Yotam Ottolenghi – “Plenty” and “Jerusalem”

Here is my favorite Sarah Chase recipe for Orzo with Roasted Vegetables that I make all the time!  I hope you love it as much as I do!  Happy cooking!

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

VALENTINE’S DAY!

I think there’s something so generous and satisfying to cook dinner for someone you love and Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity.  Since the holiday falls on Thursday this year, it also needs to be easy to prepare.  I’m making Jeffrey’s favorite one-dish dinner --Parmesan Chicken (with a salad on top!) and a decadent Baked Chocolate Pudding for dessert.   Who wouldn’t love you for that?  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

SNOW DAY MOVIES!

It snowed last night in East Hampton, which was the best excuse for a big bowl of hot soup for dinner and a movie marathon.  I made Winter Minestrone from my new book BAREFOOT CONTESSA FOOLPROOF and Jeffrey and I watched two great documentaries.  The first one, “Searching for Sugar Man”, is one of the most inspiring stories I’ve ever heard about singer/songwriter Sixto Rodriguez who sadly failed to sell any of his amazing albums in the United States while – unbeknownst to him – he was a hero and an icon to young people in South Africa, who listened to his music as a protest against Apartheid.  The second documentary is called “How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?” and it’s the story of the brilliant English architect Norman Foster.  The cinematography, the architecture, and Mr. Foster’s story are also incredibly inspiring.  Click here for the recipe for my Winter Minestrone and you can find the movies on Netflix or Apple TV.  I hope we’re snowed in every night!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

MY FAVORITE KITCHEN TOOL!

You probably think I’ve got a million specialized kitchen tools but the truth is I keep a very simple kitchen.  Garlic presses?  Why bother when a knife does a perfectly good job?  And I’ll bet that pasta maker you needed to buy is sitting totally neglected in the back of your cupboard.  But some tools I can’t live without – stacks of half sheet pans, AllClad cookware, a few sharp Wusthof knives, and my favorite tool – the rasp.  Originally used for woodworking, some smart cookie started using it in the kitchen as the perfect tool for grating lemon, orange, and lime zests.  You can buy one at most cookware stores or online at CassandrasKitchen.com.  I use it to make my favorite Lemon Yogurt Cake with lots of lemon zest and freshly squeezed juice. 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

HURRICANE SANDY!

This has been a truly difficult week on the East Coast.  Thank you all for your kind wishes; we in East Hampton have been mostly spared from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy but my heart is with all those folks who suffered so much this week.  Sadly, the East Coast part of my book tour was set for this week; we are trying to reschedule all the dates for sometime in November or December.  With the NY railroads and airports closed, it’s impossible for me to get to Chicago, so in addition to cancelling King of Prussia, Washington, Baltimore, and Annapolis, I’ve also had to postpone our events on Friday in Chicago and Milwaukee.  I’m so sorry but hopefully I will see you when we set up a new date.  I’ll keep the dates posted at BarefootContessa.com.

While I’ve been home, though, I had to make the comfort food from my new book FOOLPROOF that always makes me feel better – EASY TOMATO SOUP & GRILLED CHEESE CROUTONS.  It won’t fix the electricity but while you’re eating it, you won’t mind quite as much.

Stay safe!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

THE BIG APPLE

People come from all over the world to spend the summers in East Hampton but secretly my favorite season here is the autumn. I love the chill in the air and the crunch of autumn leaves when you walk.  I particularly love that the local apple trees are filled with sweet and tart apples like Macoun and Gala.  I just can’t stop myself – I’m always driving to the Milk Pail apple orchard in Water Mill because I MUST make a big pot of roasted Homemade Applesauce or an elegant French Apple Tart. I hope you like these recipes as much as I do!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

SNEAK PEEK!

I can't wait for FOOLPROOF to launch on October 30th!  To whet your appetite, here's one of my favorite recipes from the book – Raspberry Crumble Bars.  Raspberry jam, granola and almonds with a shortbread crust.  Trust me, they are delicious!  Click here to preorder a book, or to order a signed book for someone special (or for you).  Hope you love the new book!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

JUST PEACHY!

There’s a nip in the air in East Hampton and I’m eager to make the last summer dessert with local peaches.  The best way to choose yellow and white peaches is to just smell them.  If they smell ripe, they will be.  Here’s the secret – don’t press them, which just bruises the fruit and only tells you if the peach is soft but not if it’s ripe and delicious.  To peel them quickly, dunk ripe peaches in a pot of boiling water for 1 to 4 minutes, until the skins start to separate easily from the fruit.  Then plunge them into a bowl of cool water and the skins will just slip off with a small paring knife.  On Friday night, I’m going to make my Peach and Raspberry Crisp for Jeffrey with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.  It might feel like autumn in the air, but dessert will still taste like summer!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

COOKOUT TIME!

I really need to use the basil that’s growing like CRAZY in my garden.  Fortunately, my favorite summer menu requires lots of it -- Grilled Herbed Shrimp and Spaghettoni al Pesto -- so that’s what I’m making!  I’ll use some of the basil to marinate the shrimp and then MORE of it in the Pesto.  And while I’m at it, it’s easy to make extra pesto to freeze for the long winter ahead.  The secret to freezing pesto is to put it in small containers and drizzle a thin layer of olive oil on top so it keeps its bright green color.  Have a happy and safe holiday!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

TAKE IT OUTSIDE!

Why does everything taste better outdoors?  Every summer I visit my friend Antonia Bellanca at her house on Cape Cod.  This time, Antonia treated me to a glorious day on the water.  We stopped at Pain d’Avignon for a delicious take-out lunch (don’t miss it if you’re near Hyannis!) and then we spent a relaxing day with friends on her boat.  When I’m home and I’m in the mood for a picnic, I make my favorite Shrimp Salad and Panzanella and pack them in white Chinese take-out containers.  Delicious lunch and not a thing to clean up afterwards!  Whether it’s in your own back yard, the park, or on a rooftop deck, enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

Monday, August 13, 2012

SWEET CORN PUDDING!

My friend Jim Pike’s farm stand in Sagaponack, New York has simply the best corn in the world.  It’s tender and sweet and perfect in my Sagaponack Corn Pudding.  But of course you can you use any sweet corn - the more local the better!  I assemble this in advance and bake it just before dinner.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

FRESH CORN SALAD

Salads are great for entertaining in the summer because you can make them in advance.  Fresh corn, lots of red onion and fresh basil give this salad lots of flavor.  Hope you love it!  Click here for the recipe for Fresh Corn Salad.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

LOBSTER CORN CHOWDER

I’m having friends for lunch on Sunday and this soup is on the menu.  All I serve with it is a big green salad and some fruit, cheese, and cookies for dessert.  Easy summer lunch!  Click here for the recipe for Lobster Corn Chowder. 

Friday, August 10, 2012

SAUTEED FRESH CORN

This is the easiest and most delicious side dish!  You can cut the kernels off the corn cobs in advance and just sauté them in butter for 8 to 10 minutes before dinner.  Old-fashioned corn flavor - and no corn stuck in your teeth! Click here for the recipe:  Sauteed Fresh Corn

Thursday, August 09, 2012

CHEDDAR CORN CHOWDER

Thanks for reminding me of how much I love Cheddar Corn Chowder!  I’m going to make it for Jeffrey this weekend.  And I love all the suggestions for cooking sweet corn – thank you so much!!  Hope you like my all-time favorite soup.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

CORN CRAZY!

In August, when the corn is piled high at the farmer’s market, I just can’t help myself.  Whatever menu I’m planning, it has to include some kind of corn – sweet corn simply cut off the cob and sautéed with butter, salt, and pepper; homemade corn bread filled with plump kernels of fresh corn; or big bowls of cheddar corn chowder for a cool summer night.  If you’re simply shucking the corn and boiling it, the later the corn is picked, the more the sugars turn to starch, and so will need to cook longer.  I boil the corn on the cob for 4 minutes and then just take a small knife and cut off a few kernels to taste.  It’s the best way to know if it’s done.  This week, I’m having a SWEET CORN FESTIVAL – on my blog I'll be posting one of my favorite recipes every day for a week!  First, it’s CONFETTI CORN from my book BACK TO BASICS.  Hope you love it, too!

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

KIDS COOK!

The Hayground School nearby in Bridgehampton has a program called Jeff’s Kitchen to honor my friend Toni Ross’ beloved late husband Jeff Salaway (that's Toni with Jeffrey and me).  Every day at the school, a group of children make lunch for the rest of their class.  They actually raise chickens and grow vegetables for ingredients, cook lunch, serve it, and clean up afterwards.  What a great program for kids of all ages working together!  Last weekend, Toni hosted a party to benefit Jeff’s Kitchen and the Jeffrey Salaway Scholarship Fund and lots of top chefs showed up to make their special dishes.  I was so pleased that dessert was the Sticky Toffee Date Cake from my upcoming book FOOLPROOF - I’m happy to report there wasn’t a crumb left! Joe Realmuto from Nick & Toni’s restaurant and Town Line BBQ organized the chefs.  That’s Joe cooking with his beautiful daughter Nicole.  Now, how great is that??!! 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

WHAT A TOMATO!

Nothing tastes more like summer than a good ripe tomato ... but why are they so hard to find?  Lots of tomatoes are bright red on the outside but tasteless on the inside.  John McPhee once wrote in The New Yorker magazine that the commercial test for hybridized tomatoes is whether you can hold the tomato over your head with a straight arm and drop it without it going splat.  Who needs to know that and why isn’t flavor part of the test?  Happily, heirloom tomatoes -- the old-fashioned varieties which are grown for flavor instead of shipability -- are now available in grocery stores and green markets.  One tip: don’t refrigerate tomatoes - keep them on the counter until you’re ready to use them.  It preserves the flavor and the texture. This weekend I served Heirloom Tomatoes with Blue Cheese Dressing that was outrageously delicious.  But a juicy red slice with kosher salt, a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar is just fine with me, too.  Happy summer!

Monday, July 02, 2012

FOOD, FIREWORKS and FUN!

Okay, I’m a sucker for traditions -- especially with a modern twist.  Fourth of July is the one day I love throwing hot dogs on the grill and making some really easy side dishes.  This year, like every year, I’m grilling Hebrew National knockwurst and serving them on Eli’s delicious brioche hot dog rolls with Gulden’s Mustard in the squeeze bottle (no fancy Dijon mustard here!), my Maple Baked Beans, and Vegetable Coleslaw.  But dessert is the real treat.  It’s a really big vanilla sheet cake decorated to look like our American flag with fresh raspberries (red), cream cheese frosting (white), and blueberries (duh!).  I frost the Flag Cake and let my guests do the decorating. Everyone gets a piece to take home.  It’s just doesn't feel like July 4th at my house without it.  Have a happy and safe holiday!

Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Eli's Back!

As soon as he opens every summer, Jeffrey and I go to my friend Eli Zabar’s Amagansett Farmer’s Market (that’s Jeffrey and Eli together!).  Eli always inspires me because he cooks what’s simple and fresh – and in season.  The heirloom tomatoes for his salads come from his own “greenhouse in the sky” on top of The Vinegar Factory, his store on 92nd Street and York Avenue in NYC.  I adore Eli’s own breads – particularly the Raisin Pecan Loaf.  It’s dense and delicious and filled with raisins and nuts.  This weekend in honor of the Queen’s Jubilee, I made a proper English tea with Raisin Scones and Turkey Tea Sandwiches – with Eli’s bread, of course!  Click here for the recipes for Raisin Scones and Turkey Tea Sandwiches. The good news is Eli FedEx’s his wonderful breads; go to elizabar.com.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Tickle Me Ina

Today was one of the most fun days of my life!  Sesame Street puppeteer Kevin Clash and his creation the super-adorable ELMO came for the day to film a show at my house in East Hampton.  Elmo and I made his favorite oatmeal cookies (he says Cookie Monster loves them), plus Kevin taught me how to make his mother’s famous crab cakes (he grew up on the Maryland shore.)  We ended the day with a very chilly – but hilarious! – picnic at Main Beach in East Hampton.  If you want to be in on the fun, watch Barefoot Contessa on Food Network on Saturday, August 18th and you'll find the recipe for Elmo’s cookie now at Elmo's Hearty Oatmeal Hearts.