The dirty little secret is that I grew up in a household where there were no carbohydrates allowed, ever. No cookies, no bread, no potatoes, no rice. My mother was very extreme in terms of what she served. Since I left home more than 40 years ago, I've been making it right for myself. Ina Garten agoallowbread share on social
I've taught myself how to use good, fresh ingredients and to prepare them as simply as possible by cooking only to enhance their intrinsic flavors. Ina Garten cookenhanceflavor Change image and share on social
I measure everything, because I always think that if I've spent so much time making sure this recipe was exactly the way I want it, why would I want to throw things into a pot? Ina Garten havemakemeasure Change image and share on social
Take one flower that you like and get lots of them. And don't try to 'arrange' them. It's surprisingly hard to do a flower arrangement the way a florist does one. Instead, bunch them all together or put them in a series of small vases all down the table. Ina Garten arrangearrangementbunch share on social
I time everything. I'm a scientist at heart. Ina Garten heartscientisttime Change image and share on social
In the summer you want fresh, light and sort of quick things; in winter you want things that are comforting, so your body really tells you you want to go towards potatoes, apples, fennel, things that are warm and comforting. And loin of pork. Ina Garten applebodycomfort share on social
I worked for the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, on nuclear energy policy. But I decided it would be much more fun to have a specialty food store, so I left Washington D.C. and moved to the Hamptons. And how glad I am that I did! Ina Garten budgetdecideenergy share on social
The thing about all my food is that everything is a remembered flavor. Maybe it's something I had as a child or maybe it's something I had in Milan, but I want it to taste better than you ever thought. Ina Garten childflavorfood share on social
Never let 'em see you sweat. Guests feel guilty if they think you've worked too hard to make dinner for them - which of course you have! Ina Garten dinnerfeelguest Change image and share on social
There's something really wonderful about a party where you help yourself. Of course, first you get what you really want. But 'family style' service also really encourages people to connect with one another. Ina Garten connectencouragefamily share on social