Best Food Network Shows: The Barefoot Contessa to Tyler's Ultimate

Sadly, many shows on the Food Network are a bunch of fluff without actually presenting recipes or technique. Yet a few stand out and present methods and doable recipes.

First it is the Barefoot Contessa. This show starring Ina Garten who formerly owned a well known gourmet take-out shop in the Hamptons and has published a number of cookbooks, in fact one is now on the New York Times best seller list. She demonstrates recipes which are not complicated in a sensible and easy to follow manner. As in many shows some prep work is done prior to the show so the viewer may not have a feel for the exact time required to make the dish, but none of the food is too extravagant and few dishes require hard to find ingredients. She has a pleasant demeanor and shows steps which save time - parts of the dishes which can be made in advance. I have prepared many of her recipes and they all come out great.

Next up would be Ellie Krieger. She makes easy to follow healthful dishes in a direct manner.Ellie is a renowned registered dietitian specializing in nutrition and health communications. Her presentation is charming and she explains the reasons for her choices of ingredients or substitutions. She comes across as a real person who knows what she is doing.

Tyler Florence's show, "Tyler's Ultimate" is a watchable show where he prepares his take on great dishes. The recipes are easy to follow and often extravagant. Note there is little concern for fat or dieting in this show _ There are 65,535 calories in the Tyler Florence's Better Buttermilk Biscuits. (see: http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/generic/tyler-florences-better-buttermilk-biscuits_1455).

I beleive that these three shows actually educate the cook. Sadly much of the balance of the network is good looking people charging through recipes which are not easily reproduced - or even appealing. These three can provide actual information and recipes.

If you do watch any of these shows you can then find printouts of the recipes on the Food Network website.