Ina Garten Makes an Exception: This Food Isn’t Store-Bought
Ina Garten recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She answered rapid-fire questions about grocery staples. Her answers revealed where she accepts shortcuts and where she draws the line.
Store-bought items she will accept
Garten said high-quality marinara is acceptable. She emphasized the product must taste authentic.
She also praised sourdough bread. “Sourdough bread is always good,” she noted, and you do not need to bake it yourself.
Chicken stock sits in the middle. Use store-bought if pressed for time, she advised. But homemade stock still gets her vote for superior flavor.
Half-homemade approaches she favors
Garten often adapts prepared foods to make them her own. She uses boxed stuffing mix as a base for a savory bread pudding.
- The mix is already cubed, toasted, and seasoned.
- She layers in mushrooms and Gruyère to finish the dish.
Bakery cakes also get a pass. She suggested finishing a store-bought cheesecake with fresh raspberry sauce to personalize it.
Colbert’s quickfire segment
The lightning round on Colbert’s show forced fast decisions. His questions highlighted which staples meet her “store-bought is fine” standard.
The one ingredient she won’t compromise
Ina Garten makes an exception for lime juice. She declared bottled lime juice unacceptable.
Stephen Colbert agreed emphatically, comparing bottled lime juice to torture. Garten said fresh lime juice sharpens dishes in a unique way.
She pointed out that one tablespoon can cut through mayonnaise-rich esquites. It can also add bright zing to a dense pound cake.
Her culinary philosophy
Garten’s approach balances convenience and taste. She chooses shortcuts that save time without sacrificing flavor.
At the same time, she insists on fresh ingredients when they matter most. Her choices reflect decades of cooking experience and practical judgment.
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