Barefoot Contessa Season 18 Episode 6 Library Inaugural Drinks

In this episode of Barefoot Contessa season 18, Ina Garten throws a party to celebrate the opening of her local library's new branch. She wants to create a chic and elegant atmosphere for the inaugural drinks event, so she starts by decorating her home with beautiful flowers and arranging seating areas for her guests to comfortably mingle and chat.

For the menu, Ina serves up a variety of small bites and cocktails that are perfect for an upscale party. Her appetizers include smoked salmon toasts, roasted shrimp cocktail, and a warm truffle butter popcorn that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. She also prepares easy, elegant hors d'oeuvres like spicy stuffed mushrooms and chicken liver mousse on crostini.

To accompany the appetizers, Ina mixes up specialty cocktails that are both delicious and visually stunning. She makes a bourbon fig fizz, a summer garden cocktail with fresh mint and cucumber, and a simple but delicious champagne cocktail featuring orange bitters.

Throughout the show, Ina describes her process for hosting a perfect party. She emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation, explaining that she always makes sure to have as much done in advance as possible. She also stresses the importance of presentation, choosing serving dishes and platters that perfectly complement the food and decor.

In addition to menu planning and hosting tips, Ina also shares some of her favorite cooking techniques with viewers. She demonstrates how to perfectly roast shrimp by brushing them with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper before cooking in the oven. Additionally, she shows how to make fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes by ricing instead of mashing them.

Throughout the episode, Ina's enthusiasm and warmth shine through, as she enjoys preparing the perfect party and welcoming guests to her home. Viewers will love seeing her creativity and attention to detail at work, and will come away with plenty of tips for their own parties and events.