From her iconic engagement roast chicken to outrageous brownies and rich lemon bars, Ina Garten’s recipes stand the test of time. The Barefoot Contessa has visited the TODAY kitchen too many times to count — and she’s shared some of her best recipes along the way. One of the biggest principles that guides Garten’s cooking is using high-quality ingredients: the good vanilla (not the imitation stuff), cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil, top-shelf alcohol and farm-fresh produce.
Yes, the concept has become a viral meme, but using “the good stuff” will make a big difference in your recipes. Ahead, we’re highlighting more than 50 of Garten’s best recipes, best enjoyed while hosting friends or curled up on the couch reading her . This cozy chicken starts with homemade chicken stock: Garten wouldn’t have it any other way.
She makes a big batch of stock with three whole roasting chickens, plus plenty of aromatics. Once it’s ready, she gets to work on this one-pot dish, which features fennel, leeks, saffron, orzo and, of course, chicken. Hosting a party? This quick and easy appetizer is one of Garten’s favorites when hosting guests.
With a duo of fig jam and fresh figs, funky goat cheese and syrupy balsamic vinegar, this bite is so much more than the sum of its parts. In Garten’s words, this sandwich is what would happen if bagel and lox took a trip to Paris. Choose high-quality fresh croissant, slice them and fill them with creamy mascarpone cheese, fresh her.