This Grandma was introduced to Ina Garten by a dear, long (we never say old) friend who swears by her recipes. I think she thought I lived under a rock, but really, most of my adult life, I was just an expert at making reservations.
I have since learned that People Magazine calls her “the Food Goddess Everyone Loves to Worship,” who is considered to have the best unintimidating recipes, and now even has a new streaming show, “Be My Guest With Ina Garten.”
Grandchildren love desserts, and the best way to introduce them to Ina Garten is with her chocolate cake. You can find the recipe on many websites, including Food Network. You can find a review of the recipe on Insider, in an article entitled, “I tried Ina Garten’s chocolate cake that she said ‘makes grown men weep,’ and the easy dessert takes almost no time to make,” by Anneta Konstantinides, August 15, 2022.
Here is Ina Garten’s famous recipe for:
Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake
Ingredients
2 cups cold heavy cream
12 ounces Italian mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Pernigotti
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 (8-ounce) packages Tate’s Bake Shop chocolate chip cookies
Shaved semisweet chocolate, for garnish
Directions:
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla. Mix on low speed to combine and then slowly raise the speed, until it forms firm peaks.
2. To assemble the cake, arrange chocolate chip cookies flat in an 8-inch springform pan, covering the bottom as much as possible. (I break some cookies to fill in the spaces.) Spread a fifth of the mocha whipped cream evenly over the cookies. Place another layer of cookies on top, lying flat and touching, followed by another fifth of the cream. Continue layering cookies and cream until there are 5 layers of each, ending with a layer of cream. Smooth the top, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
3. Run a small sharp knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate, cut in wedges, and serve cold.
My friend swears by her perfect roast chicken recipe.
You can find more of Ina Garten recipes on line, such as her meatloaf recipe which more friends rave about.
Food Network has a link to all the Ina Garten recipes on their website.
You can follow Ina Garten on Instagram.
Also, Ina Garten has a new cookbook out: “Modern Comfort Food.”
Buy on Amazon:
Once you find Ina Garten, even if you are like me and rarely cook or bake, she will be part of your cooking and baking life forever too. Just don’t forget to introduce your grandchildren to Ina Garten!
Joy,
Mema