Ina Garten, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, has done it again! The TV host and cookbook author has created yet another magical cookbook called Simply Ina. As the name suggests, through her many years as a home cook (and former owner of a gourmet food shop), Garten has learned that the best food is often the simplest. To quote from the inside cover: “With just a little thought and a few good ingredients, you can make truly impressive dishes without spending hours in the kitchen.” Simply Ina is packed with expert tips and delicious recipes to achieve the best flavour with minimal effort.
It’s the perfect cookbook for this time of year when the holidays are fast approaching. Who doesn’t need simple recipes that are as easy to prepare as they are delicious? Several of the recipes can be prepped in advance, allowing readers to enjoy time with family and friends.
One “Simply Ina” secret is to use store-bought ingredients in some recipes like Mashed Potato and Leek Soup made with purchased mashed potatoes. You can dress up an ordinary can of baked beans by adding some smoked bacon, maple syrup and bourbon. Ina’s Raspberry Cheesecake (perfect for holiday entertaining) starts with a cheesecake purchased from a bakery topped with Ina’s recipe for Shortcut Raspberry Sauce that is thickened with a jar of good jam. Garten even provides a list of some of her favourite store-bought ingredients so you can stock them in your fridge or pantry.
“Hot-rodding” is a term you will discover in this book, which means making large batches of a recipe to enjoy for days (or freeze in some cases) or turn into something else. For example, leftover Caramelized Butternut Squash and Cranberries can be pureed into Easy Butternut Squash & Apple Soup or tossed into Charlie Bird’s Autumn Salad. Garten has tested every recipe numerous times to ensure each dish is simple yet satisfying.
One of the things I like about Simply Ina is that she provides a list of her favourite store-bought ingredients under the title “Store-bought is Fine”—things like frozen peas, baked beans, marinara sauce, caramel sauce and more. She also provides 12 No-Cook Appetizers that are ideal for entertaining. There’s also a chapter called Principles of Hosting with some savvy tips to take the stress out of entertaining, and a page (with gorgeous photo) entitled Using Heirloom Dishes and Linens in a Modern Way to set an impressive table using unmatched dish patterns for a “curated and elegant but also casual effect.”
So let’s get the party started Simply Ina style! You might begin the evening by offering your guests a signature cocktail such as Ina’s Classic Cosmopolitans. Start the conversation going with hors d’oeuvres like Roasted Shrimp with Lemon Caper Mayonnaise (made with purchased Hellmann’s Mayo), Herbed Goat Cheese Spread, or Whipped Ricotta with Fig Jam & Grilled Bread.
A few prep-ahead dinner recipes include Sesame Ginger Chicken Bowl, Mustard-Roasted Meatballs, French Sausage & Lentils. To save time, turn to the Shortcut recipes like Skillet Pasta with Sausage & Mozzarella and Crabmeat Gratins.
No matter what time of day it is, or the season, Simply Ina is a must-have book you will use repeatedly when you want to rely on tested and impressive yet “simple” recipes. Highly recommended as a great gift for the foodie on your gift list. Rating: 10 out of 10!
“Simply Ina” Copyright © 2026 by Ina Garten. Photographs copyright © 2026 by Quentin Bacon. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Excerpted with Publisher permission. All rights reserved. Available at Indigo.com, Amazon.com and booksellers of your choice.
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