Barefoot Contessa

[DaveSoMD]

I watch Ina a few times a week and like her recipes. I'll admit I have not made any of them yet, but that is more from having others I want to make first, not because of concern about salt or butter or fat. Everthing is moderation is my theory, I mean I make recipes from the Two Fat Ladies cook books.

[Constance]

Originally Posted by kadesma

If they film at her home the yard is beautiful as is her home..It's lovely but makes you feel comfortable..I find the show makes me feel as if I were in a friends kitchen helping..I've made some of her recipes and find them easy to do and the ingredients easy to find...She reminds me of a good friend.Where she lives has nothing to do with anything..She worked hard for what she has and is entitled to live as she likes..You know, like them or not, these chefs,cooks personalities are human being just like us..Each one has something to offer if we let ourselves be shown..What they look ,sound and dress like has nothing to do with it..Enjoy and learn

kadesma

You said that so well...My feelings, exactly.

[Maverick2272]

I would love to 'go for the gold', but all I have is bronze!

I do, however, share that sentiment with most spices I have, and my EVOO just has to be of good quality. DW, bless her misguided heart, picked up a huge container of generic paprika the other day. Thanks to certain people here on DC, who shall remain nameless Elfie, I only use smoked paprika now.
But my neighbor, who is not so picky, was happy to have the 'gift'...


But hey, one of these days I am going to splurge on some real good quality vanilla beans for when I make some homemade ice cream.

[kitchenelf]

LOL Mav - all my friends now use smoked paprika! It's good stuff!!!

I've always said, and I'll say it again...every show I watch, whether it's a cooking-type show or a traveling type show where food and/or restaurants is the topic, I always take away something from them. Sure, some get under my skin for various reasons - usually it's just jealousy ...I would probably get on their nerves too.

[buckytom]

Originally Posted by ChefJune

She IS a lovely person. I've met her and she is charming and not at all impressed with herself. Cooking comes easily to her, as does working in front of a camera, and I think she feels she's encouraging her viewers when she makes it look easy. It IS easy, after all... the food most people like to eat best is not fussy nor hard to prepare. So she lives in the Hamptons. that doesn't make her aloof and snobby. She just isn't.

i'll take your word for it, chefjune. i had a feeling about her, so that's why i included the "personal" disclaimer. i work in tv, so i know it's a business and things are edited to be perceived certain ways. good people can come across in certain negative ways (merely in others' perceptions, none above any other), and vice versa.

it's obvious that her show is cut for a set of specific demographics. mine ain't one. although, with respect to chefjune, i will try to watch some of her shows.

who knows? i might say "use the best freakin' vanilla you can find" in some future post.

[ChefJune]

[/quote]

Most of the men on her show are gay. Ina is very big in the gay community and does a lot of work for gay rights.

As for the vanilla, I too recommend using " really good vanilla." Sometimes you gotta go for the gold. It makes a difference. [/quote]

I agree VDQ! I only use Nielsen-Massey vanilla products. When I teach a dessert class, I always take my "really good" vanilla AND a bottle of real vanilla from the supermarket. We pass them around and smell them. That's all it takes to convert everyone.

Yes, excellent products may cost more than the so-so ones, but the end results are stunningly different. And the difference is not really that much. In vanilla, how many recipes call for more than 1 teaspoon? A bottle lasts a long time. And aren't you and your loved ones worth it??

[SixSix210]

turnip... a nasty, hard, bitter, root that requires massive amounts of adjustment to make it tasty.

London, you want rich? check out paula deen... Paula is "home cooking" rich heavy butter laden home cooking. Paula caters to the more day to day cooks than Ina does. Ina has some recipes that are bit too fancy for day to day cooking

[DramaQueen]

Most of the men on her show are gay. Ina is very big in the gay community and does a lot of work for gay rights.

As for the vanilla, I too recommend using " really good vanilla." Sometimes you gotta go for the gold. It makes a difference. [/quote]

I agree VDQ! I only use Nielsen-Massey vanilla products. When I teach a dessert class, I always take my "really good" vanilla AND a bottle of real vanilla from the supermarket. We pass them around and smell them. That's all it takes to convert everyone.

Yes, excellent products may cost more than the so-so ones, but the end results are stunningly different. And the difference is not really that much. In vanilla, how many recipes call for more than 1 teaspoon? A bottle lasts a long time. And aren't you and your loved ones worth it?? [/quote]

Wow, I couldn't have said it better!! Those are my thoughts exactly.

[babetoo]

Originally Posted by DramaQueen

Most of the men on her show are gay. Ina is very big in the gay community and does a lot of work for gay rights.

As for the vanilla, I too recommend using " really good vanilla." Sometimes you gotta go for the gold. It makes a difference.

Originally Posted by ChefJune

I agree VDQ! I only use Nielsen-Massey vanilla products. When I teach a dessert class, I always take my "really good" vanilla AND a bottle of real vanilla from the supermarket. We pass them around and smell them. That's all it takes to convert everyone.

Yes, excellent products may cost more than the so-so ones, but the end results are stunningly different. And the difference is not really that much. In vanilla, how many recipes call for more than 1 teaspoon? A bottle lasts a long time. And aren't you and your loved ones worth it??

Originally Posted by DramaQueen[B

Wow, I couldn't have said it better!! Those are my thoughts exactly.[/b]

there is a big difference between wanting to use the best and being able to afford the best. if one doesn't have the money, ie the purse is bare , good vanilla is the least of your worries. yes the family is worth it but no money is no money.sometimes for some people it is having money for bread much less "really good vanilla"


babe

[GB]

Originally Posted by babetoo

there is a big difference between wanting to use the best and being able to afford the best. if one doesn't have the money, ie the purse is bare , good vanilla is the least of your worries. yes the family is worth it but no money is no money.sometimes for some people it is having money for bread much less "really good vanilla"


babe

Those people are not watching Ina on FoodTV which is a cable channel. If they are then they could choose to buy better food over buying cable TV.