1. Tuscan Bean Soup
If using dried beans, you need to do a tiny bit of prep work
the night before by soaking the beans. Otherwise, use canned and the soup comes
together fairly easily after that, simmering on the stove while the flavors
meld.
2. Beatty’s Chocolate Cake
Named after Ina’s friend’s grandmother, this cake’s secret
weapons are coffee and high-quality chocolate. This cake is light, moist and
packed with chocolate flavor — a keeper of a recipe.
3. Chicken in a Pot With Orzo
This recipe is a staple meal that everyone should learn how
to cook. It’s a little soupy, a little bit like a roasted chicken and it’s so,
so comforting. It’s very hands-off too so you can let it cook while you’re
doing other things.
4. Meatloaf
This isn’t your momma's meatloaf — it’s Ina’s — but it’s still
really classic with lots of chopped onions, ketchup and tomato paste. Serve
with mashed potatoes and love.
5. Coconut Cake
A coconut cake with fluffy cream cheese frosting, topped
with more coconut? If heaven had a flavor, it would taste like this.
6. Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
This soup is Ina’s favorite for a reason: it’s autumn in a
bowl, with the sweet and mellow flavors of butternut squash and apples and a
savory punctuation of mild curry powder. It’s a cozy sweater for your soul.
7. Meatballs
Everyone should have a solid meatball recipe in their arsenal,
and this is a good one. A blend of pork, veal and beef is mixed with fresh
breadcrumbs and spices, like nutmeg. The meatballs are pan-sauteed and then you make a
simple tomato sauce in the same pan, simmering together until done — chef’s
kiss!
8. Skillet Lemon Chicken
Ina has a lot of great chicken recipes — she really knows
how to make the most of a skillet and a chicken. This one is simple, delicious
and cost-effective. Serve it during the week, serve it at a fancy dinner party
and it works every time.
9. Easy Tomato Soup
Did you realize how easy it is to turn an onion, a can of
tomatoes, orzo and cream into a legendary pot of soup? A pinch of saffron gives
a little extra oomph, but can be omitted to keep it thrifty.
10. Roast Chicken
The crown jewel of Ina’s recipes is probably this basic but
essential roast chicken recipe with roasted lemon, herbs, garlic and onions.
She even tells you how to make a pan gravy, making this recipe a must-save.