Ina Garten’s Cozy Winter Dinner Party Menu Is Golden

When the weather turns cold and you feel like hibernating, Ina Garten recommends an alternative option: throw a dinner party! In her latest Instagram post, the Barefoot Contessa suggests that a dinner party might just be the thing to prevent those winter blues! We agree, especially after reading her menu, which includes three cozy and delicious recipes that would easily drag us out of hibernation.

Her menu is a simple spread of three recipes, starting with a dreamy but simple Potato Galette. Garten’s Potato Galette happens to be legendary here at EatingWell—with a couple of extra ingredients, it becomes the star of any delicious brunch spread. In its simplest form, though, it’s perfect as a simple starter or a fun side dish. 

The galette begins by cutting a few russet potatoes lengthwise into long matchsticks. After a quick seasoning of salt and pepper, the potatoes are added to a hot saute pan with a bit of oil, then pressed down and cooked, undisturbed for a few minutes. A drizzle of oil down the sides of the pan is added to help release the galette from the sides, then it’s carefully flipped to cook the other side. Once golden brown, the galette is transferred to a paper towel to remove any excess oil then to a cutting board to slice for serving. Garten suggests a garnish of chives and fleur de sel.

For the main course, Garten chooses a comforting classic in her Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken. The first step is combining thyme leaves, fennel seeds, salt and fennel in a small food processor and blending until ground. In a measuring cup, combine that ground seasoning blend with olive oil stir to combine. Then add a layer of sliced lemon to the bottom of a large cast-iron skillet and before topping those lemons with a layer of onion and garlic.

A butterflied (or spatchcock) whole chicken goes right on top, skin-side down and covered with half of the oil and herb mixture. Flip the chicken over, pat the skin dry and then cover with the remaining oil mixture. Roast the chicken for 30 minutes at 450 degrees Fahrenheit before adding some dry white wine to the pan and cooking until the thickest part of the chicken breast registers 160°F. Remove the chicken from the oven, sprinkle with some lemon juice and then cover with foil and let rest for at least 10 minutes. Cut the chicken as desired and serve with the pan juices, lemon and onion. 

Never one to neglect dessert, Garten also adds her Salted Caramel Brownies to the menu. She melts butter with chocolate in a bowl set over simmering water. Once melted, she sets it aside to cool. In a separate bowl, she combines eggs, instant coffee, vanilla and sugar, then stirs in the chocolate mixture. Next she combines some flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl before adding it to the chocolate mixture. 

Finally, she tosses some chocolate chips with a bit of flour before folding them into the batter and pouring into a prepared baking pan. Once the brownies have baked for about 35 minutes, Garten covers the brownies with warmed, prepared caramel sauce—after all, store-bought is fine—and sprinkles the top with sea salt.

As a recipe developer and Garten fan, I can confirm that this menu is one I’d like to replicate at home. As a registered dietitian, I plan on doing just that, but with a few modifications. First, I’d add another vegetable, perhaps a simple salad or an easy roasted side, like broccoli. I love the galette as written, but for some color and nutrition, I’d swap one of the russet potatoes with a sweet potato. 

The chicken is a great main dish, but I’d consider opting for bone-in chicken breasts over a whole chicken, which would increase the edible portion and decrease the amount of saturated fat, since that’s mostly found in the thighs and wings. Too much saturated fat can negatively impact cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease—though it’s certainly fine to opt for a chicken thigh if that’s what you prefer.

One thing’s for sure: this slate of recipes is definitely worth tidying up the house and inviting over some pals. Since enjoying time with friends can support your health, surrounding yourself with people you care about while enjoying a delicious meal is the perfect cure for winter blues.