loretta's Reviews
157 recipes reviewed. Showing 1 to 50Sort by: Book Title 
| Date | Rating | Recipe Title
At Home with Michael Chiarello: Easy Entertaining
By Michael Chiarello, Karl Petzke
Chronicle Books - 2005
Just like the name says this is paella with an italian twist. It has all of usual ingredients of paella, chicken shrimp, sausage, rice saffron with the addition of tomatoes. Serve with italian pepperoncini.
useful (0)
Baking Bread: Old and New Traditions
By Beth Hensperger, Joyce Oudkerk
Chronicle Books - 1992
In the section called picnic breads, there is a shallot and poppy seed bread that is wonderful. It takes a little bit of work, but the instructions are easy to follow. With a filling of shallots, onions, parmesan cheese, poppy seeds and butter, it's almost a meal.
useful (0)
Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2006
This recipe is good as a main course or as side for a party. If you leave out the shrimp it is a good salad for grilled meats in the summer. Very easy to prepare
useful (1)
Easier than a pie. It can be made with any combination of fruit. If you keep the dough in the freezer you can make a crostata any time you find nice fruit at the farmers market.
useful (1)
This is a very easy recipe for salmon,the hardest part is gathering the ingredients if you don't have them on hand. A good balance of fresh and clean flavors with the fatty salmon. It is a good recipe for a party or a buffet because it can be served at room temperature.
useful (1)
Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2008
The recipe has many ingredients but is very easy to prepare. It is a rich cake with lots of dates and nuts and a good balance of spices. You can serve it with the cream cheese spread that is included in the recipe,but it is delicious without it.
useful (0)
If you think shrimp cocktail is good, then you will really love what roasting does to the flavor of the shrimp. Quick and easy to prepare for your next party.
useful (2)
This is a very easy way to get your apples with crust. It is made with store bought puff pastry, and with the addition of dried cherries they are fantastic. I have made these turnovers many times , and everyone loves them.
useful (1)
You never have to buy chocolate bark again, it is so simple to make. Follow Ina's instructions for melting the chocolate and then add what she suggests or whatever you like. The roasted salted cashews are a good foil against the sweetness of the chocolate. I added the cherries,apricots and the raisins, I didn't use the ginger.
This disappears as fast as I make it.
useful (1)
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best. With so few ingredients they must be fresh and the technique must be followed. Very tasty.
useful (1)
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
By Ina Garten, Martha Stewart
Clarkson Potter - 1999
A gourmet version of "pigs in a blanket". You can use any kind of thin fresh sausage and store bought puff pastry and it would be delicious.
useful (1)
Simple and easy.Good healthy appetizer. Many friends have requested the recipe.
useful (1)
I made this recipe with asian salmon, a very nice dinner combination. It seems like alot of ingredients but it goes together quickly in the food processor. Add the sauce at the last minute because it makes the pasta turn mushy. the flavors are really good.
useful (3)
Very easy and very tasty. One drawback, it takes 1 1/2 hours to cook in the oven, but it makes alot and lasts for weeks.
useful (2)
Very simple recipe, only three ingredients, sugar snap peas, dark sesame oil, and black sesame seeds. Combine them together and serve at room temperature.
useful (0)
You really don't need a recipe for brussels sprouts, but Ina gives you good guidelines for roasting any vegetable. Even if you don't like brussels sprouts, give this recipe a try. they are very tasty.
useful (1)
Another member had problems with this recipe, but I loved it. I have made this recipe many times and it always came out perfect. My cooking time was about 40 to 45 minutes. The combination of fruit was also a winner but sometimes I leave the figs out.
useful (1)
Remember the onion dip from a box, well this is so much better. Easy to make and tasty. Brings back childhood memories.
useful (1)
Easy to make and has more flavor than traditional coleslaw.
useful (1)
Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2002
If you never had a homemade marshmallow, then you must make this recipe. They aren't anything like the store bought kind. The marshmallows are soft and silkly and they melt in your mouth. They are a real treat.
useful (1)
I needed a salad for my barbecue that didn't contain any wheat or meat products. This rice salad was perfect.It is easy to prepare and can be made in advance. The taste is light and refreshing on a hot summer's day.
useful (0)
This salad is quick and easy. I had a little trouble finding the wheatberries but it is worth seeking them out. They make a tasty salad. If you are looking for something a little different, give this one a try.
useful (0)
This recipe is easy enough for a weekday meal and special enough for company. It has fresh, clean flavors that keep the calorie count down. I make this recipe often especially in the summer.
useful (0)
This is a great recipe for chicken wings. It is a very easy and delicious recipe. The sauce is buttery and spicy, and they are broiled instead of fried. I used blue cheese for the dip.
useful (1)
It 's a two part recipe, first you have to make a recipe of roasted winter vegetables, page 110. Then you can make the soup that on page 33. The idea of a roasted vegetable soup is good, but I added a few extra seasonings.
useful (0)
Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2001
I love to make poached pears in the fall for dessert, so this recipe with the dried fruit caught my eye. It was very good but because Bosc pears can be hard, make sure they are ripe or cook them a little longer.
useful (0)
This is an easy version of apple pie with a cinnamon crumb topping. Great!
useful (0)
Easy, delicious and baked.
useful (0)
Barefoot in Paris: Easy French Food You Can Make at Home
By Ina Garten
Clarkson Potter - 2004
made this recipe twice,really great. the first time I made it theway it was written. the second time I had leftover ham.cooked the lentils with the ham bone and then added pieces of ham at the end. Everyone loved it.
useful (1)
Very easy and delicious. Don't be afraid of the quantity of garlic, ii becomes very sweet after cooking it.
useful (1)
I am always looking for vegetarian side dishes to add to my buffet because some of my friends like to keep it light or just don't eat meat. This recipe is easy to prepare and hearty enough to be a main course. It can be made a day ahead and served either warmed up or at room temperature.
useful (1)
I searched many cookbooks for string bean recipes, so when I found this recipe, I had to try it. Very simple to prepare with good a balance of flavors. Roasted red onion, yellow and red peppers added to blanched green beans make a delicious and colorful dish. Serve it warm or a room temperature.
useful (1)
This is a very simple dessert to prepare.There are only three ingredients, puff pastry, sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the sugar and salt, roll puff pastry in the sugar till well coated. Fold the pastry according to the directions, cut and bake. Easy and delicious.
useful (0)
I served this elegant salad at a formal dinner party. Simple, delicious, and makes a nice presentation.
useful (0)
This tart is delicious. It can be served as a appetizer or a light lunch. The filling is smooth and creamy with the tang of goat cheese, and the crust is crisp and buttery.
useful (2)
Best of Arizona: Recipes from Arizona's Favorite Resorts & Restaurants
By Marjorie Scaffidi
Treasure Chest Books - 1992
Very unusual way to treat avocados, but delicious. Slightly crunchy and spicy on the outside and cool and creamy on the inside.
useful (0)
Bon Appetit Weekend Entertaining: A Cookbook, Menu Planner & Entertaining Sourcebook for Occasions Large or Small, Casual or Elegant
By Bon Appetit Editors
Pantheon - 1999
This recipe is great for lunch, brunch even a light dinner.
These frittatas have a nice combination of vegetables, onions, eggplant, peppers and Kalamata olives. It also has two cheeses, Parmesan and feta. They give the frittatas rich taste and a bit of saltiness. This recipe makes four frittatas, but you can easily reduce the amounts. The recipe is also a base to experiment with different ingredients to make your own flavor combinations.
useful (1)
The Bread Bible
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
W.W. Norton & Co. - 2003
Mix up the batter and put in the pan. Delicious! One problem is that you need a special pan but they are not that expensive and another is you need fresh cooked corn. I used cooked frozen corn and it was fine.
useful (1)
The Cake Bible
By Rose Levy Beranbaum
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1988
This is a favorite of the author of this cookbook. I have made this cake for over twenty years and has become my signature cake. It is a very lemony, moist delicious pound cake. Easy to make too.
useful (1)
This is a moist cake, with a nice combination of spices. The flavor of pumpkin is subtle, because of the small amount that is needed. Another dominate flavor is of the walnuts and the walnut oil. It is a very quick an easy recipe to make.
useful (0)
This cake is everything the title says and more. The texture is light and soft with a tender crumb. It's good with many of the fillings and frostings that Rose has developed for her book. This recipe makes a two layer cake. There is a section for formulas and techniques for making large wedding and special occasion cakes. I use the formulas to turn this cake into a multi-layered creations for my family and friends special moments.
useful (0)
Ciao Italia
By Mary Ann Esposito
William Morrow Cookbooks - 1991
This has become a family favorite. Great for parties,(Super Bowl)and picnics. Moderate level of work to make the bread and then the filling. Everyone loves the bread,good as leftovers too.
useful (0)
These sweet little bread bears are delicious. They take a little bit of time because they need to rise,but they are worth it.
useful (0)
This soup is also known as Italian Wedding Soup. My mother used to make this for me when I was little but she added pastina and so do I.
useful (0)
I use the crespelle batter to make manicotti. The filling consists of ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Sometimes I add spinach. It makes a manicotti that is more tender than the traditional.
useful (0)
It sounds like an odd combination, but the vinegar, with a little sugar bring out the flavor of the strawberries.
useful (0)
Website: Ciao Italia with Maryann Esposito
Very simple preparation for green beans. Add the sesame seeds and the lime juice for a twist.
useful (0)
Website: Ciao Italia with Maryann Esposito
Good when the peaches are in season.
useful (0)
Website: Cooking Light
This is a simple recipe, but there is alot of chopping. Use a good quality tomato juice and the soup will be delicious.
useful (0)
Website: Cooks Illustrated
The recipe has been tweaked a bit, from the original no-knead recipe. The dough is not as wet as the original, needs some kneading and it replaces some of the water with a mild-flavored lager. It is an easy recipe that produces a great bread.
useful (0)