Ina Garten’s birthday is today, and we can’t think of any better way to celebrate our favorite celebrity chef than by cooking some of her classic Jewish recipes. No TV personality and cookbook writer has a more fun-loving, yet expert-graceful approach as Ina, whose books (Cooking For Jeffrey and Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust, to name a few) are infused with as many practical cooking tips as touching anecdotes.
Ina Garten is both relatable and inspiring. Brooklyn-born, she spent years working in DC, fell in love with cooking by working her way through Julia Child’s cookbooks, opened a gourmet grocery store, and eventually rose to fame as a cookbook writer and Food Network chef. Does she ever stop?
In the spirit of The Barefoot Contessa, pour a flute of champagne, invite some friends over, and start cooking!
Perfect Roast Chicken
Brisket With Carrot and Onions
Chopped Liver
Noodle Kugel
Stuffed Cabbage
Matzah Balls
Rugelach
(above photo from Ina Garten’s Facebook)