Few figures have done more to upgrade our culinary habits than Ina Garten. From her iconic East Hampton kitchen, The Barefoot Contessa has taught us a balanced and joyful way of life through food and hospitality, starting with her kitchen essentials.
Here at Homes & Gardens, we spend our pastimes watching archival Barefoot Contessa clips and catching up on interviews with Ina. However, it was only recently that we discovered her book (Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That?) where she shared an insight into the rolling pin that deserves a place on her countertops.
'I prefer a French rolling pin because I can really feel the dough while I'm rolling it out,' Ina says. A browse through her essentials list shows she uses this French Tapered Rolling Pin from Sur La Table, but we found an almost identical model for under $10 on Amazon.
Much like the rolling pin that Ina loves, this piece is made from solid rubber wood that guarantees durability and long-lasting use. It's designed to sustain everyday, heavy-duty use in the home, whether you're following Barefoot Contessa recipes or just doing your own thing.
The Karryoung Rolling Pin (available at Amazon), and Ina's go-to, features the classic French handle-less design with tapered ends for easy grasping when rolling out pie, tart, and cookie dough.
Its charming European-style design is elegant enough to stand on your countertops when it's not in use. Or, you can go a step further and display it alongside other beautiful rolling pins, just as we've seen Martha Stewart herself demonstrate. In her old kitchen, Martha created a rolling pin display wall with antique pins that she received the previous Christmas.
'We took a picture of all the different rolling pins, and we played with different configurations until we decided on this particular one, ranging from smallest to largest, all the way down. Each pin was numbered according to its placement… This is very fun for everyone who likes to organize,' Martha says.
In the case of Ina's French pin, however, we'd add that it's beautiful enough to stand alone. Wherever you store it, though, you can rest assured that you're one (big) step closer to baking Ina-approved goods from your own home.
Shop more of Ina Garten's kitchen essentials
Rolling pins aside, Ina Garten's kitchen is inevitably a melting pot of professional accessories. Plus, like the bowls, they come with an accessible price tag. You can shop more of her go-tos below.
These fluffy, compressible sponges are some of the most absorbent on the market, easy to store, and all-natural. With Ina Garten's endorsement, it really can't get any better.
These durable glass mixing bowls are a favorite in Ina's, and soon, they'll be just as essential in yours. It includes the right size for almost every prep, mixing, and serving need – whether you're a keen chef or just like the cook for a special occasion.
This 10-piece set features knives with triple-riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat, and impact. The blades are precisely laser-cut and stamped for superior quality and value.
