Barefoot Contessa is back!! New Episodes Begin Oct 18

[FoodChic]

I'm so happy we're FINALLY get new episodes. It's been much, much too long!!

[mels]

I used to love Ina. Her books and shows provided me with recipes and ideas that have come out great. Also, her family style book gave me many recipes for a lot of "safe" foods for my meat and potatoes/non-adventurous extended family whom I have over for dinner fairly often.

However, this Back to Basics nonsense? Ooooh, will they love my lobster pot pie that I am making for the zillionth time WITH or WITHOUT lemon zest???? For dessert, I am making a fruit crisp! I know I have done this 3,000 times but this time I am adding....wait for it....a pinch of cardamom!

Way to turn up the volume, Ina.

[mbach]

Her new cookbook just came out today

[FoodChic]

Did you see her on the Today Show this morning?

[mbach]

No, I can't believe I missed it. Did she talk about her new cookbook?

[FoodChic]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/...

[coney with everything]

But is it GOOD cardamom?

[Manassas64]

As suspected, I bought the new book today and I am disappointed. It's rehash of recipes that she re-hashed in Back to Basics and then uses prepared stuff in some of these dishes.

Good prepared stuff =/= good stuff

Wah! Bring back my Ina.

[ttoommyy]

I would suspect this has something to do with the pressure put on "celebrity" chefs to produce cookbooks like clockwork,. It can take years for a chef to write, test, retest, etc., recipes. Then there is the testing and editing by the publisher. Writing a cookbook with all new recipes takes a lot of time. Impossible to do in this age of FN. No wonder Ina's new book is a "rehash."

[FoodChic]

The last book of Ina's I purchased was Barefoot In Paris. I love that cookbook, but everything since has been a factory churned out mess. I do give her credit for staying true to her standards of not using processed garbage in her recipes, but the inablity to produce new and exciting recipes has made her less desirable, more plasticized and deviates the quality standards that she always touts.

I always figured she'd be the one FoodNetwork host that would never sell out. Sadly, I was wrong.

[BubblyOne]

Considering that she put up $200K to produce her first cookbook and participates as little as possible in FN (you hardly see her make anything other than the briefest of appearances on any other show than her own), not to mention she doesn't have the crappy line of cookware, etc., I'd hardly call her a sell out.
The latest book doesn't look so good, but no one is perfect. I love all the others.

[FoodChic]

That $200K was over ten years ago, hundreds of thousands of prebox mixes and millions of dollars ago. When you're recycling old recpies and labeling them as new to get people to buy your new cookbooks...that makes you a sellout.

[BubblyOne]

To each his own, I disagree.

[ttoommyy]

Does the world really need another hot fudge sauce?

http://www.foodnetworkstore.com/p-610...

[BubblyOne]

I guess it would depend on how good it is. I haven't tried it, have you? But at least it's food- not matresses, furniture or a bunch of crap at Kohl's ala most of the other FN cooks/chefs.

[iL Divo]

first, I've not tried any of her packaged stuff, not one product, so I can't relate to that part of the conversation. but I will say that for $11.95+shipping, I can make a dang good sauce probably and not have to wait.
some people like things like that to come to their door and I'll admit to buying from places online for specialty foods for gifts. but for me at home here it's not a priority.

[iL Divo]

"not to mention she doesn't have the crappy line of cookware, etc".
no kidding, gad, is everyone getting in on the cookware scheme?
I mean they seem to all have one.
I can't go into Kohls anymore in their kitchen section, it's all TV Food stuff, EXPENSIVE as all get out and it's Kohls for crying in the beer..............

[decolady]

In one recipe she calls for three 8 oz bags of Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies. Those have limited availablity, and are certainly not here where I live. To order them from Tate's, you must purchase 6 bags. With shipping that would cost me $46.00. Of course, the cookie recipe is available online and I could make them myself if I wanted to make Ina's recipe, but that defeats the "how easy is that?" premise.

[ttoommyy]

I'm always suspicious when a recipe calls for a specific boutique item. Is Ina friends with or an investor in Tate's? Makes me wonder.

[iL Divo]

good point. you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

[decolady]

Well, I can't swear to it, but I just figured that was plug for a friend.

[BubblyOne]

She makes no secret of being friends with a lot of the people whose products she uses; there is a source guide at the back of her cookbooks as well. Many have been on her show too. She is running a business, not a charity.

[Manassas64]

I'm sure you can find SOMETHING other than Chips Ahoy in your area. I think it goes to her point about it being a "good" chocolate chip cookie as opposed to Chips Ahoy.

;o)

[decolady]

Perhaps or perhaps not. The Tate's Bake Shop cookies are very thin and crispy. I'm not sure there is an appropriate substitute available around here.

[FoodChic]

Clearly, there is lots of "charity" for her pals and their businesses.

[ttoommyy]

It just rubs me the wrong way when a recipe recommends a "boutique" product that is costly and not easily substituted for. The Tate's cookies ain't cheap and they are unique, that's for sure.

[Muskrat]

I get a little nervous when the chef doesn't wear shoes in the kitchen.

[Manassas64]

The chocolate episode was new to me, so I'm thinking it's a new one.

It's still under the "back to basics" banner though.

[iL Divo]

I'll be surprised if any of these shows are new.
I read one menu from that link and have seen her do those already.
How sure are we these aren't repeats/reruns?

[BubblyOne]

Well, we will find out shortly, right?

[Manassas64]

I think the reason these seem like re-runs is because I don't think her new book is, well, anything new. We've already re-done everything in Back-to-Basics so now we're re-doing everything to make it faster. The spread in LHJ was recipes that didn't seem new to me either and it was to promote her book. The recipes didn't have notations that they were from her new book, so I'm hoping they didn't include new recipes so as not to spoil the surprise.

That's what I'm getting from the point of this new book and I'm afraid I'm going to be disappointed.

I hope it's not the case. But I am not getting a good feeling about it.

[BubblyOne]

I have to wait to get my book until next month when I go to her signing at Williams-Sonoma.

[ttoommyy]

At first read, I thought "signing" was "singing" and for a moment, "that Ina is so multi-faceted!" lol

[iL Divo]

I used to collect coupons and once going through all the ones that were expiring, I couldn't figure out why I was saving a coupon for "steak seals".
I kept thinking to myself, looking at the coupon, "what on earth are steak seals and what would I use them for and why am I saving this dang coupon?" finally tossing it, looking one more time to make sure I didn't want the dollar off, I realized they weren't steak seals they were steal saks [garbage bags]. Good grief................... so I understand misreading......

about the Ina chocolate show, I honestly think it's a repeat but maybe not, it's very familiar right down to the chocolate cornicopia plastic form. I could be wrong though. One thing I won't be making is run raisin truffles, don't like the sound or thought of them at all.........

[ttoommyy]

"finally tossing it, looking one more time to make sure I didn't want the dollar off, I realized they weren't steak seals they were steal saks [garbage bags]. Good grief................... so I understand misreading......"

LOL!!!!!!!!!

Good thing it wasn't for "seal steaks!"

[mbach]

It seems that there is a new episode in November....The Perfect Cocktail Party. I really hope there are many more, it's best thing on Food Network.

[ttoommyy]

Yikes...I can just see it now...lots of good food and cocktails surrounded by precious friends, flowers and table settings...with Jeffrey looking totally out of place! lol

Yeah, I'll watch it though.

[southernitalian]

Why so much hating on her friends?

[ttoommyy]

I'm not hating...that's a strong word. I'm just poking fun. I guess it's because I really don't know anyone like them in my world. They just seem so elite and precious and full of themselves. Makes my friends and me look like a bunch of truck drivers by comparison! lol

[BubblyOne]

I have known people like that and wish I still did! Ina and her husband are accomplished, funny and really smart (#1 for me). It's gotta be cool to have a circle of friends that include the editor of House Beautiful, an Academy-award winning director, a hunky male model and Mel Brooks...that's why those segments don't bother me. Still would prefer that she just cook, but like I said upthread-better than Paula, Michael and those goofy Deen boys.

[ttoommyy]

Different strokes... not my kind of people at all. My family and friends are more like Paula and her family. :)

[FoodChic]

Here is a link that shows episodes.
Season 13 (current) is labeled as 3 under season 12.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/episo...

[ttoommyy]

I like Ina's style of cooking, but I can't take one more show of her affluent friends arriving home from a holiday in Europe and she's decided to stock their fridge with meals while another friend redecorates their dining room and yet another friend arranges flowers. Or, she is dragging out a whole meal on to her private beach where a bunch of twee friends show up and eat dinner out of take-out containers and origami-style parchment-paper envelopes of some sort. yeesh!

Just give me an old-fashioned cooking show Ina!

[BubblyOne]

I kind of agree, but compared to what's available- I'll give Ina a pass with some of the other stuff. Her recipes have never been anything but stellar for me, and some (like the spinach gratin) are now part of my go-tos.
Better than seeing Paula's husband wiping grease off his beard and helping her out.

[ttoommyy]

"Better than seeing Paula's husband wiping grease off his beard and helping her out."

So true. I do watch Ina, but sometimes I just want to smack her friends around for fun!

[FoodChic]

Touché.

[iL Divo]

YEP! I just discovered no new episodes are listed on my DVR search either :(
and BTW breezychow, why don't you like her show?
I don't care about her wealth I like her for
her methods and viewing pleasure.
My husband more agrees with you however.
He's done with watching her (you fill in the blank)
friends and about feeling sorry for Geoffrey, he has a suspicion there too.
I think they're both where they want to be and are comfortable and happy.
For them it's whatever works, same as for anyone.
Just my opinion.

[Manassas64]

i don't really think about them, my focus is on the recipes. I frequently FF through the shopping trips and table decorating and such.

I like the way she flavors her recipes. I rarely am disappointed in the amount of an herb or ingredient in a recipe. I will somethings think, "2/3 cup of fresh mint? really?" but it's usually perfect.

I am concerned about her new book. I feel like it's going to be disappointing, re-runs and very Semi-Homemade-ish. I hope I'm wrong but the preview in LHJ wasn't looking promising.

[BubblyOne]

There is a new ep this Saturday (at least in CA), about chocolate.

[iL Divo]

I do see it on my dvr but am curious if it's a really new show or a new repeat.
I've seen her do a show on chocolate before.
There was a chocolate cake thing with white hot chocolate for her guy friends.
Seems it was same episode but we'll see as it says first aired: 10/23/10 so?
thanks for the reminder

[BubblyOne]

LOL, what is a "new repeat"? I'm pretty sure it is new.

[FoodChic]

Yes, those show up frequently on my DVR. The episode will show up as "New" and it's an episode from 5 years ago. Hate that.

[BubblyOne]

I'm guessing with her new book and book tour, it was coordinated with a new season of shows. I must have a lucky DVR- I set it to record first run only and never get a "new repeat".

[FoodChic]

I'm first run as well...the damn things still show up as new.

[iL Divo]

My dvr (If you click the info button) says when it was first shown/aired.
BUT they have shown repeats if previous shows (not BC that I know of specifically) but others like 48 hrs or I.D. that I've already seen so who knows. That's why I said that tho.

[Breadcrumbs]

This is great news though I'm betting they won't air the new show on Food Network Canada... : - (. for at least a year. I wonder if the show will feature recipes from her new cookbook.

[FoodChic]

Hey, guys. I'm the OP and this was posted in 2008! Ina was removed from my DVR a long time ago, as she's clearly run out of ideas.

[Manassas64]

LOL Than ks.

[iL Divo]

well I for one am thrilled.
love Ina.
we need new recipes from her.
I'll DVR her for sure, thanks for sharing

[Breezychow]

Great news for you Ina fans. For the rest of us? Ugh. Just another show to have to skip over. Frankly, even Ina seems bored with her shows as far as cooking goes now. They've just become a way to showcase her wealth. And I really feel sorry for poor Jeffrey.

[Manassas64]

LOL I just posted in the other Ina thread saying we probably wouldn't see episodes until January.

Yay Yay Yay!

[MMRuth]

Thanks for that - I assume this is on the Food Network?

[FoodChic]

Yes, that is correct. Get your DVR ready!