Ina Garten Shares Some of Her All-Time Favorite Things

Ina keeps her larger cutting boards in a jumbo wicker basket from Belgium. This one is similar.

"Always use one," Ina says. "No matter what it says on the dial, the temperature in the oven could be totally different."

These all-natural sponges fatten up when they get wet.

This is a fixture on Ina’s kitchen counter. It keeps her from "fighting with that box!"

"I use my 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven more often than anything else," says Ina. "It’s great for soups, stews and braising."

Barefoot Contessa fans will recognize Ina’s trusty white PepperMate, with its easy-to-turn knob and removable tray.

For perfectly portioned muffins and meatballs, Ina uses a trigger-release scoop similar to this.

When it’s time to take gnocchi, noodles or broccoli out of boiling water, Ina reaches for her long-handled mesh strainer.

Ina puts her trust in these timers, made by Lux. "I don’t want to put something in the oven and forget about it!"

These are always on Ina’s kitchen counter: wooden tools in one, stainless in the other.

This is Ina’s first choice for her famous Sour Cream Coffee Cake. It’s 27 times finer than most all-purpose flours.

Just like Julia Child, Ina’s go-to mayo is Hellmann’s.

"I would use vanilla as cologne if I could," jokes Ina. She makes her own but also recommends Nielsen-Massey.

Ina trusts this trio. Maldon flaky salt elevates the pastry crust on her chicken pot pie. "Flaked salt looks gorgeous, and that crunchiness tastes great," she says.

Ina likes mixing grainy Maille with smooth Grey Poupon. "The two of them together are great in vinaigrettes and sauces," she says.

"Use the best olive oil that you feel comfortable buying," advises Ina. She prefers fruitier California olive oils like this Olio Santo variety, sold at Williams Sonoma.

"Tomatoes are the most versatile staple in the pantry," says Ina. She counts on San Marzano for tomato soup, pizza and pasta Bolognese.

Peek into Ina’s pantry and you’ll see Rice Select’s Texmati as well as their arborio and couscous.

Ina originally used Pernigotti cocoa powder for recipes like Beatty’s Chocolate Cake, but if you can’t find it, French Valrhona cocoa powder has the same intensely rich flavor.

"My friend Anna Pump always said, 'Clean hands are a cook’s best tools. They’re never in the dishwasher or lost in a drawer.' " This orange and bergamot–scented wash is Ina’s go-to.

"It’s embarrassing, but I live in loafers," Ina has said. She prefers ones with a little wedge from Belgian Shoes in New York City, but these from Alex Marie are similar.

"The scent of Une Fleur de Cassie always reminds me of Paris," says Ina, who has worn it for decades.

"It’s like a uniform, I don’t have to worry about it," says Ina. She has gotten button-front denim shirts from Talbots.

"It’s my commuter bag," says Ina. "The original one was a gift and now I’ve bought one for everyone I know!"

Ina often accessorizes her on-air outfits with earrings from jewelry designer Margo Morrison, like these freshwater baroque pearl drops.

Ina uses Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick in A Different Grape. "The light, dusty rose color is a good shade for me," she says.

Ina is a big fan of Laura Mercier’s skin serum. "My makeup person told me about this and I’ve been using it ever since," says Ina.