I Know I Promised Saladino, but Another Necessary Detour...

Last week, I made a trip to Cleveland to see Ina Garten speak.  She was just as charming and informative there as she is on her Food Network show,  Barefoot Contessa.  When I returned home, I stumbled upon the very Martha Stewart Living issue I tried to find for my previous post on Ina (12.8.12), but I never looked in the February/March issue until March.  Since Ina spoke so fondly of Martha and since her talk is fresh in my mind, the following images seem to be appropriate now.  I promise, promise Saladino will be next (unless I have to write about Savannah first - am leaving for house and garden tours there tomorrow).

Here it is - Martha and Ina twenty years ago.  At this time, I followed Martha faithfully, but had never heard of Ina till this issue.

I loved Ina's stove (my own Viking stove was acquired shortly after this article appeared) and her seemingly easy way of entertaining.  She and Martha seem to be having such a nice time serving ribollita.

Martha and another (really great-looking) guest at Ina's for Sunday brunch - one of her favorite times to entertain.

I remember seeing this room and wanting to know so much more about this unknown person, Ina Garten.  Residents of the Hamptons, like Martha, of course knew her from Barefoot Contessa, once her gourmet food shop, but in 1993 I knew nothing about her.

I knew I loved her tablescapes from the first time I saw this article and still love them today.

Remember, this article is 20 years before her barn, but her table then looked as  inviting as it does today.  Beyond is a glimpse of her kitchen, pre-barn, where appetizers are arranged.

The appetizers served with Ina flair, uncomplicated and relaxed.

Close up of  appetizers.  Olives are still one of Ina's favorite appetizer choices.

Ribollita, below, is the star of the brunch with marinated eggplant as a co-star.

More brunch selections - shaved fennel, roasted beets, marinated artichokes and baby carrots on a radicchio.  On the right, Pecorino San Bernardo.

As the caption explains below, Ina was all about people and fun, and she still is.  Martha once said that when you hear Ina giggle, you know the fun is starting.  (Her ribollita looks so good.)

Frank Newbold was Ina's business partner then.

And still is today.

Martha and other guests at Ina's table in 1993.

Coffee-flavored semifreddo with hazelnut biscotti.

And lastly, because it is almost spring (somewhere - hopefully in Savannah) and because the magnolia blossoms are so beautiful, I leave you with this image from the same issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Please do not be disappointed this post is un-Saladino.  He is on the agenda.  By the by, if interested, Ina's recipes for this brunch are given in the magazine and probably online.

Off to pack.  I leave the house tomorrow at 7:30 AM.

Till next time-

b