A BAREFOOT BOOK, BITES & BRUNCH: AN INA BOOKCLUB GATHERING

I’ve only dabbled in bookclubs, but I joined a very low key local bookclub last year with some friends. While our track record for meeting is low (we have currently read three books and met a handful of times), we do have a punchy text thread that’s full of book suggestions, general commentary, and hilarious bookish memes. So while we may not get together as often as we like, we can thank Ina Garten for bringing us together for our third gathering. We collectively read Garten’s memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens, which spring-boarded the group to create a Barefoot Contessa “Book Bites” Brunch day. We were inspired. Who doesn’t love Ina?

We all perused her various cookbooks (there are so many!) and chose a recipe or two to bring. Our spread included: fried oysters with a saffron aioli, onion dip, sun-dried tomato dip, parmesan pesto zucchini sticks with a calabrese tomato sauce, whipped feta tomato crostini, minestrone, and a vegetable gratin. We also had a tray of desserts such as blondies, lemon pound cake, outrageous brownies, and shortbread cookies. And, of course some French wine (Ina would want this). Some of us even dressed as the doyenne herself.

We enjoyed apps around the kitchen island and then sat down in the dining room for the mains and dessert. It was such a fun way to spend a Sunday. We chatting about the various foods while discussing the book, her messaging, and her impressive oeuvre of cookbooks. And of course, we enjoyed the multi-coursed menu! I have a hunch our book club may turn into cookbook club and I’m here for it.

I’m curious, what’s your favorite Ina cookbook?