I love Ina Garten and her cookbooks. I will buy them all. This one wasn’t a standout. A lot of the recipes seem to either be a variation of recipes she’s done before or really basic - hot dog in a puff pastry, scrambled eggs, etc. I’m 100% interested Ina’s version of basic but I don’t feel I got that in this book. The title, likewise, doesn’t seem to exactly fit - it is more of a collection of “basic” recipes “cook from your pantry” recipes “a spin on recipes you’ve made”? There isn’t a cohesion to this book like there is in her others. I am currently cooking a lot of “go-to dinners” and other meals from her earlier cookbook “How Easy Is That?” and I would recommend buying that one in place of this book.

Ina Garten is one of my favorite people so whenever a new Ina cookbook comes out, I’m excited to take a look. Her latest book, Go-To Dinners is no exception. These days, I find myself cooking at home a lot more and am always looking to create satisfying uncomplicated dinners. This book is filled make-ahead, freeze-ahead, prep-ahead and easy to prepare meals. The book is arranged so simply with chapters on drinks and apps, breakfast for dinner, light dinners, family dinners, vegetables and sides and ends with desserts. I especially liked the directions she gives for assembling boards as an alternative for dinner. The ploughman’s lunch inspired by the meal a farmer would bring to the field to eat a midday is something I’m looking forward to trying. So far, I’ve made the blueberry ricotta breakfast cake and the scrambled eggs cacio e pepe—both delicious and easy. Lots more for me to try and another Ina Garten cookbook to love. I’ve received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

From the rather uninspired dust cover and the title, you might not have high expectations for this book even though Ina is a known master of the kitchen. But fear not, the cookbook is exactly what it says it is, and everything (that we've cooked so far) is indeed a Go-To dinner. We especially enjoyed the Hot Dogs in Puff Pastry, Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloins, Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Marble Potatoes with Garlic & Herbs, and the Maple-Roasted Honeynut Squash (probably the fav). The only dish our picky children didn't love was the Parsnip Puree but overall, it was still a good recipe. Our only complaint, as with most Clarkson Potter books, is that the recipes require thorough reading and understanding before prep - there is no suggested timeline or overall time, so you need to understand the elements on your own before fully preparing. Way to go Ina on another success! I've received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

Great Book, Recipes Not Overly Complicated. I'm not crazy about cooking but have seen some Ina Garten recipes on line and figured I'd give this book a try. Arrived like new, very quickly. Fraction of retail price. Lots of pictures, not too many ingredients and good fresh stuff. Made recipes first 2 nights I had the book and found the results much better than my usual recipes for same thing. Recommend.