Peckerwood Café: Chef Spotlight-Ina Garten; Recipe Links

Ina Garten is hands down my favorite chef. She is who I count on when I want delicious, cozy meals, when I am entertaining, or when I want to nurture someone I love. Her food is comfort food, never extra fancy or full of incongruent flavors; hers is for when you want to eat restaurant quality without too much fuss or labor. Do I love her versions of dishes, best of all, 100 percent of the time? No, but I am never disappointed, rarely have to adjust, and always feel satisfied. Joan's on 3rd in LA reminds me of a place Ina would like, and everyone who knows me, including Joan, knows I have to eat there as much as possible when I am in LA. 

Ina Rosenberg Garten was born on February 2, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, in a household that valued academic excellence above all else. Her father, Charles H. Rosenberg, was a surgeon, and her mother, Florence, was a dietitian. Despite her natural inclination towards science, Ina's love for cooking was strongly discouraged by her mother, who prioritized her studies. This is putting it mildly. Florence was an obsessive tyrant so toxic that she is the reason Ina never had kids. She never ever wanted to have a child endure what she did, and she wasn't sure if it was genetic. Her mother severely restricted her eating and wouldn't let her cook even though she loved it. However, her passion for cooking was too strong to be suppressed. 

At 15, Ina met her future husband, Jeffrey Garten, while visiting her brother at Dartmouth College. She pursued her education at Syracuse University, majoring in economics, and later continued her studies at George Washington University School of Business. Following her marriage to Jeffrey in 1968, the couple relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where Ina's interest in cooking and entertaining blossomed. During Jeffrey's military service in Europe, Ina keenly a newfound passion for French cuisine, and it prompted her to refine her culinary skills by immersing herself in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Simone Beck, Louisette Bertholle, and Julia Child upon their return to the U.S.

(Ina says the key to a long marriage isn't complicated, and luck is involved. She is right. You are either with your person, or you aren't. If you are, you weather everything, the good outweighs the hard stuff by 90 percent, and you would never ever imagine anyone else in the world getting you and loving you or you them nearly the same. It is like the sky is blue, and you belong together. That is how I think it is. That is how I imagine them, too. Look how cute they are, and 50 years later, they are just as adorable.)

In 1978, Ina Garten stumbled upon an intriguing advertisement for a charming specialty food store for sale in Westhampton Beach, New York. Despite lacking professional food experience, she took a leap of faith and purchased the store, naming it Barefoot Contessa. This decision was greatly influenced by the unwavering support of her husband Jeffrey, who believed in her and encouraged her with the words, 'If you love it, you'll be really good at it.' I always wondered what the glue that held this couple together was, and it was the unconditional support and encouragement he provided when she worked up the courage to follow her dream. 

(Ina's ideas for a Charcuterie Board. I use some of these and then add other things or subtract. But it is essential that it always looks delicious and appetizing. I hate those slapped together boards that look messy. I like my food to look tasty, smell good and get my mouth watering before I even take a bite.)

For the next 18 years, Garten's unwavering determination and relentless effort transformed Barefoot Contessa from a modest takeout shop to a celebrated gourmet destination. Her unwavering vision and commitment made the store a cherished establishment full of tasty delights and flavors. In 1996, she boldly decided to sell the store and embark on a new path of writing cookbooks and working out and perfecting recipes. This new chapter began with the release of her first cookbook, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, in 1999, which became a bestseller, marking the start of her triumphant career as an author and culinary influencer.

"The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook" quickly became a bestseller, with over 100,000 copies sold in its first year, propelling Ina Garten to widespread fame in the culinary world. This success marked her transition from a local store owner to a nationally recognized cookbook author and food personality. It also attracted the attention of Food Network executives, leading to the debut of her TV show, *Barefoot Contessa*, in 2002.

The book not only established the "Barefoot Contessa" brand, initially the name of Garten's store but also solidified her reputation as a relatable and trustworthy source for home cooks. With her simple, approachable recipes and warm personality, the book defined Garten's signature style. Its triumph laid the groundwork for a series of successful cookbooks totaling over 14 million copies in print as of 2023.

Perfect for Summer: Tomatoes and Barata 

I couldn't possibly begin to list the best of her recipes, but I will say her Mustard Chicken is a standout, both the oven-roasted and the creamy pan version. 

Her Shrimp Fra Diavolo is ridiculously tasty. This is one of the Prime Rib recipes I make when I want leftovers for French Dips. I can't stand mayonnaise, but her horseradish is so good with the French Dips. Beef Bourguignon is a nice make-ahead chillier weather meal. Just add crusty bread, butter, and a dark green salad.

For a quick Saturday nice lunch or on-the-run dinner: 

I will confess I sometimes make some of these for myself at night. I will be working and eating potatoes and don't care about being judged. Oink to tha' oink. And for a wonderful pork dish:

Her recipes can be found all over the internet, but her books are where it is at. Try them and see. Not snobbish. Not overly expensive and always tasty. Taste is subjective, but she's not a Kitchen Goddess for nothing.