Like many of us, culinary legend Ina Garten was overwhelmedwhen the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and it prompted her to rethink the way she made weeknight dinners and food for small gatherings.
Fast forward to a few years later, and she’s put what she learned into “Go-To Dinners,” the latest Barefoot Contessa cookbook, out now. It’s filled with recipes for simple meals including many make-ahead dishes that can be frozen and reheated.
“Everybody’s really kind of struggling because everything seems so much harder,” Garten tells USA TODAY. “And we’re all kind of exhausted. So I just thought, the easier I can make recipes for people the happier they’ll be.”