This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and love. Thank you for supporting Hannah’s Cozy Workday!
The series begins, and tonight I’m making Skillet-Roasted Chicken & Potatoes…
If you’ve been following along on social media, you already know I’ve been in a bit of a meal planning rut lately. Same few dinners on rotation, nothing exciting, zero inspiration. I’d pull out my meal planning notepad, the one I use every week to map out dinners by day and build my grocery list all in one place, and just stare at it. Completely blank.
Then one day, I looked over at my bookshelf and remembered that I had a whole collection of Ina Garten cookbooks just sitting there. Six of them, actually. And they’re not just any cookbooks. They belonged to my mom.
My mom was an incredible cook. Like, the kind of cook who made everything look effortless and everything taste like a hug. She loved Ina Garten, talked about her recipes, her philosophy, even her favorite products like they were old friends. I grew up watching her flip through these pages and I can still picture her in the kitchen, confident and happy, doing what she loved. Cooking together was one of my favorite things we did.
When I inherited her collection, I knew I wanted to cook from them. I just needed a push. So I made a TikTok about it, partly to hold myself accountable, partly to document it, and honestly, partly just to feel close to her again. And now I hope it becomes a series.
This Weekly Meal Planner & Grocery List Notepad is my go-to for staying organized.
Why Ina Garten Recipes Are Worth Cooking
If you’re not already a little obsessed, let me explain the appeal. The Barefoot Contessa vibe is essentially the whole aesthetic I’m going for in my life right now… cozy, unhurried, beautiful food made for people you love. Ina doesn’t overcomplicate things. She uses good ingredients, she’s encouraging, and her recipes actually work. Now that we have a real kitchen with actual space to cook in our first home, I finally feel like I can give these recipes the attention they deserve.
My Ina Garten Cookbook Collection
I have linked above if you want to add any to your collection!
Ina Garten Recipes I Can’t Wait to Try
I have a whole list of recipes I’m working through, here are the ones I’m most excited about from each book:
| Book | Recipe | Why I Want to Try It |
| Modern Comfort Food | Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese | A grown-up grilled cheese with bold flavors… feels cozy and a little fancy at the same time. |
| Go-To Dinners | Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie | Chocolate AND bourbon in a pie? This one is going straight to the top of the list. |
| Family Style | Mac & Cheese | The Ina Garten mac & cheese is basically legendary. I need to see what all the fuss is about. |
| Barefoot in Paris | French Potato Salad | No mayo, lots of herbs, served warm… completely different from anything I’d normally make. |
| Cook Like a Pro | Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs | This feels like the ultimate cozy dinner party dish. Perfect for a slow Sunday in our first home. |
| Cooking for Jeffrey | Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken | Already made the skillet chicken from Modern Comfort Food… curious how this one compares! |
First up: Skillet-Roasted Chicken & Potatoes from Modern Comfort Food
I’m starting here because honestly, it felt right. It’s a cast-iron skillet dinner with buttermilk-marinated chicken thighs, Yukon gold potatoes, Dijon mustard, white wine, thyme, and paprika… and the whole thing goes straight from the oven to the table. One pan. Minimal dishes (which means happy husband who is on dish duty). And maximum comfort.
The potatoes cook underneath the chicken, soaking up the buttermilk and all the pan juices as everything roasts together, and apparently they’re the real star of the show. I’ve seen multiple people online say they’d make this recipe again just for the potatoes alone. Bold claim. I’m very ready to test it.
I’ll be documenting the whole thing over on TikTok…. the process, the result, and the honest review. Wins and disasters both welcome.
More Ina Garten Recipes Coming Soon
I have five more books to work through and a whole list of recipes I want to try. If you have a favorite Ina recipe I should add to the list, drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear what’s been a hit for you.
Here’s to cooking more, trying new things, and honoring the people who made us fall in love with being in the kitchen. ❤️
Want to follow along?
Find me on TikTok and Pinterest for more from the Cooking with Ina series.