The Barefoot Contessa Cooks for the Holidays - 'How Easy is That?' ~ Designing Gal

Image: The Barefoot Contessa

One of the most popular chefs on the Food Network is Ina Garten, aka The Barefoot Contessa, and if you watch her fabulous cooking show you know why. Ina's style of cooking is very down to earth and she makes every recipe seem so simple yet completely delicious. I've been a fan of Ina's for years and I've collected every one of her seven fantastic cookbooks. One of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday morning is curled up on my sofa with my cup of coffee or tea and watch an episode of The Barefoot Contessa on the Canadian Food Network. Like many people I covet her home in the Hampton's and her warm and friendly lifestyle. Who wouldn't want to cook a meal with Ina in her Hampton's barn kitchen or be a guest at one of her dinner parties? Her recipes are truly easy to make and are a success every time... from her Grown-up Macaroni and Cheese to her Pan-fried Onion Dip, I always get rave reviews when I cook an Ina recipe. Ina Garten recently published her seventh cookbook entitled The Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That? and it is already number 1 on the New York Times Best Seller list. Of course I bought it the day it was released and have earmarked many recipes to try out on my friends and family. With the holidays just around the corner I thought I would put together the ultimate Barefoot Contessa holiday menu. I've made her perfect roasted turkey and her old-fashioned apple crisp for past holiday meals and no doubt they will be as delicious and easy to make for you as it was for me. Each recipe below is from one of Ina's cookbooks... but do not fear if you don't own her book collection, the recipes are also on the Food Network website:

Perfect Roasted Turkey - Barfoot Contessa Parties! (2001)

Roasted Winter Vegetables - Barefoot Contessa Family Style (2002)

String Beans with Shallots - Barefoot Contessa Family Style (2002)

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes - Barefoot Contessa at Home (2006)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts - The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (1999)

Popovers - Barefoot Contessa Parties! (2001)

Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp - Barefoot Contessa Parties! (2001)