Indulge: Delicious and Decadent Dishes to Enjoy and Share

by Valerie Bertinelli

Beloved actress and New York Times bestselling author Valerie Bertinelli returns with her most indulgent cookbook yet; a collection of 100 recipes to nourish the body and the soul.

in· to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of.

When Valerie Bertinelli turned 60, she said “Enough already!” and ended her battle with the scale for good. She stopped counting calories. She stopped thinking of certain foods as good or bad. She quit saying no and began saying yes, finally learning how to enjoy the pure pleasure of being alive – starting in the kitchen.  

In short, she learned how to indulge.

With this gorgeous cookbook, Valerie shares her secrets for indulging so you can start living your best, most fulfilling life too. Whether it’s splurging on fresh produce at the farmer’s market, cooking an extravagant steak dinner for one, or serving an ice cream sundae bar at a dinner party, this book is a reminder that indulging can take many shapes and forms.

You’ll discover the delicious recipes she cooks for her friends and family, including favorites like Garlic Confit BLT, Oven “Fried” Okra, Sausage and Olive Cheese Bites, Spaghetti al Limone, Salmon Burgers With Quick-Pickled Vegetables, Filet Mignon with Béarnaise Sauce and Chocolate Peanut Butter Dates, and more.  

Written in Valerie’s warmhearted and intimate style—including heartfelt essays about how to savor moments big and small—this cookbook is a permission slip to enjoy food, and more importantly, enjoy life.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2024

About the author

Valerie Bertinelli is the host of her own daytime series Valerie’s Home Cooking and co-hosts Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network. The two-time Golden Globe award-winning actress takes her fans into her kitchen with her new cookbook “Valerie’s Home Cooking” (Oxmoor House, an imprint of Time Inc. Books, October 2017). Her fun flavor combinations, like Brown Sugar Sriracha Bacon Bites, Lobster BLTs, and Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, transform traditional classics into crave-worthy and exciting new dishes to enjoy with friends and family. Bertinelli first became a household name for her role as Barbara on CBS’s long-running series, One Day at a Time. Over the years, her career expanded from acting to include hosting, spokesperson, business entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author. She has also helped develop, produce, and star in several television movies and mini-series, and in August 2012 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She most recently starred as Melanie Moretti in TV Land’s critically acclaimed sitcom Hot in Cleveland.

Reviews

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of the author ever since I read her book Enough Already, where she puts behind her the culture of thinness at any cost. Now she has a better relationship with food, which is evident in this book. The recipes, each with a friendly description, seem as if she has tested them (unlike some cookbooks) and the photography accompanying each one is beautiful. I found myself marking many recipes that I look forward to trying.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie’s cookbooks are always a real treat. She uses easy to find ingredients, and the directions are so clear. I wish she was still on The Food Network. Whoever made the decision to axe her made a HUGE mistake. The stories and anecdotes that go along with the recipes are the frosting on the cake!

[Kelly Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent recipes

[Emma Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust I WILL be making that garlic confit

[Sara Rishforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pretzel roll recipe is outstanding! So so good!

[K.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful book visually but the writing is repetitive and the name dropping (Taylor Swift? Really?) was annoying. Also the print on the purple page was hard to read. Also, the recipes were either things I already knew how to make or else things I was not motivated to learn how to make.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indulge sums up her intent of writing this cookbook, one of enjoying every day and allowing yourself to just take time to love.

Just as butter and salt can save most recipes gone awry, love works the same magic on people. Got a problem? add more love. Is someone upset? Pour some love on the situation. (167)

I truly enjoyed reading this book while I stared at the beautiful food photographs and experienced Valerie's voice. I thought I knew her---star in her teens, rocky marriage with a rock star and Jenny Craig huckster. Those roles don't even touch who she really is. (Of course, she is Wolfie's mom!)

There is a lot of great food in the book but interspersed are stories, stories about her and her son, stories about little foodie shops she's found, stories about conversations with fellow foodies like Andy Kadin (Bub & Grandma's in LA) and Taylor Grant (one of Food & Wine 2019 best Sommeliers). There are sections titled "Planning a Menu" or "Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions" but the heart of the essays are stories worth listening to. "Dinner for One" turns into an essay on love and forgiveness. "The Best Bottle of Wine You'll Ever Have" references doing what you love with who you love. I enjoyed her segues.

She includes a lot of family traditions in Indulge, whether it's special sandwiches she discovered with Wolfie, her mom's own sub sandwiches that she craved when she was pregnant, or the Bertinelli women's bread recipe.

We all know that charcuterie is a recent "girl dinner" trend, but Valerie says she was enjoying them forever ago. Now that they're hip, she gives great ideas. I've seen this before but I think her section is a bit more extensive. There are no recipes but there are great tips. No rules but she suggests some great guidelines.

Great tips abound, things like cooking canned chickpeas in a baking soda water brine to make them softer for a smoother hummus. She also includes how to "bake" hard boiled eggs for egg salad.

My favorite section is probably her Sandwich one. Great ideas to riff on. She establishes herself as not being too serious and embracing the playfulness. It's OK to indulge in a really good sandwich.

The Vegetable section is simple and straight forward: Baby Kale with Crispy Garlic, Blistered Green Beans, Charred Asparagus, Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Cabbage, etc. Nothing really extravagant. Just good food.

All of her chicken recipes are just homey and delicious sounding, too. Again, nothing extravagant or too frou frou but I will say that the Jalapeno Popper Chicken Breasts (187) might be a game changer for me! The Meat section is a bit more elevated but she still includes classics like Beef and Broccoli (203) and Classic Double Cheeseburger with Special Sauce (204).

How can you not love a cookbook author who has an entire section on potatoes?

Mashed (with lots of garlic)
Crispy Parmesan Potatoes
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Baked Potato Chips
Potato Chips with Chicken Salt

The Seafood section is extensive but I honestly breezed through it to get to the Pasta section. Bertinneli did not disappoint. I bookmarked a lot of these including Creamy No-Cream Artichoke Pasta and Lazy No-Bake Lasagna.

The Condiment, Dressings & Sauces section includes the most recipes of the entire book. She could have published these recipes by themselves in a separate volume. It is an eclectic list from homemade mayo to BBQ sauce to Dijon to Sambal Oelek and Chili Crisp to a huge assortment of salad dressings.

She ends the volume with a "shopping list" to indulge in. It's a treatise on how to live and how to learn to love to indulge in yourself, in your surroundings and in your family and friends. Oh, yeah and in food!

Obviously, I was impressed.

I have lots of recipes to try but I did manage to make her baked sweet potatoes before my Kindle library loan disappeared. I may have to request the hard copy to indulge in this book further.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indulge is just the perfect cookbook you’d expect from Valerie Bertinelli. Chock full of gorgeous photos, enticing recipes, and a dash of wisdom gained through age (although she hasn’t changed a bit over the years) and divorce.

Leafing through the pages, common ingredients emerged…that is, enjoy your days, linger lavishly in good conversation with good people, and treat yourself to the very best of bountiful ingredients. The recipes are simple enough to enjoy every day and they will satisfy the hunger that the eyes and stomach will develop with appreciation.

While many of the dishes have meat in them ( I am a non-meat eater), there are plenty others that will I will attempt. Truly wish her cooking show was still on the air.

Another gem from VB.

[Johnnysbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

For cookbooks, I'll browse through the book and pick out any recipes that look good.

Shrimp is an easy meal to make. Sandwiches are too, which Val provides a ton in this book.

Beverly Hills chopped salad - pg. 78 - sounds good.

Red quinoa is a good option in salads.

Big questions to ask is, what will make me feel satisfied? What am I craving? Listen to your body. Don't worry about calories. Worry about filling your body with great, healthy food.

pg. 138 - miso soup
pg. 227 - makes her own potato chips
Makes her own condiments, dressings, and ice cream! Pretty good. Once you make these, they should be good for a month. Healthier option too.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Brown Butter Banana Walnut Muffins
Maple Pecan Scones
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Nonnie's Crescia (flatbread)
Pretzel Buns
Ginger Turmeric Bone Broth
Roasted Tomato Soup with Garlic Bread Croutons
Blistered Green Beans
Savory Snap Peas and Mushrooms*
Honey Ginger Chicken Wings 184
Peanut Chicken with Collard Greens 198
Lazy No-Bake Lasagna* 265
Blueberry Cloufoutis
Carrot Ginger Loaf
Cream Cheese Brownies
Lemon Lime White Chocolate Chip Cookies 294
No-Churn Buttermilk Vanilla Ice Cream 296
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam 311
Turmeric Ginger Honey
Dijon Mustard
Classic Pesto and Silky Blender Pesto

[Theresa G Marone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing! I’ve loved Valerie Bertinelli since seeing her on One Day at a Time in the 70’s as a child. This book was like stepping back into my Italian childhood with the added instruction to Indulge! To enjoy life, every part of it, the ups and downs, and to do it with good food, great wine, and the amazing circle of family and friends that surround you. I can’t wait to start making these recipes! Thank you Valerie!

[Kenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot to love about this cookbook. Beautifully photographed, the recipes focus on ingredients you probably have in your pantry or that are easily accessible. The instructions are straightforward and don't require complicated cooking methods. At the same time, there are probably some unique combinations to add to your repertoire.

[Theresa Jehlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an ode to Bertinelli's decision to give up her relationship with "the cult of thinness" at 60. The recipes use easy-to-find ingredients and have clear directions. Extras include gorgeous photography and personal stories about most of the dishes. Her legion of Food Network fans will love her latest cookbook.

[Mellen Michaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this cookbook. Recipes look like items I would actually prepare and ingredients are everyday types of items. Valerie’s personal connections are woven in between the recipes and are entertaining.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was more than just a cookbook. It was part memoir and a heartfelt book of cherished family recipes.

I got the book through the Libby app and read it on my Kindle. Wow, such a great cookbook! I will definitely be buying this one.

[Donna Siebold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't made anything yet but several of the recipes caught my eye. I am planning to use the pickled vegetable recipe soon. Several of the other dishes also look good. I like her warm style of writing in between the recipes as well.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great cookbook! It's filled with easy and delicious sounding recipes! There are pictures of every recipe which makes me so happy!! I'll definitely be trying many of the recipes in this book!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you watched Valerie’s cooking show, you are familiar with these recipes. It’s a basic cookbook from breakfast to dessert. Recipes are easy to follow and most require less than a dozen ingredients.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ton of good recipes with some very poignant stories sprinkled in.

Some odd filler things, though. Like most of the sandwich recipes start with, "Lay the bread on a clean surface." Um... yes, please?

I particularly liked the sauce and condiments recipes.

[Michelle Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading her books and cookbooks and how she incorporates stories from about herself and her family with the recipes. I borrowed this one from online from the library to check it out and needless to say, I just ordered the hard cover for myself.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delivers as advertised.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found dinner & dessert for this
weekend 👍

[Diane Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of wonderful recipes with a color picture of everyone. Lots of wonderful stories, memories and insights of Valerie’s life.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful cookbook. A lot of creativity, style and effort to create comfortable recipes.

[Kim Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Valerie cookbooks. Her recipes are easy and fun to make. I wish she still was on the food network with her cooking show.

[Deborah Reichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this cookbook to be luscious. decadent. and thoroughly an enjoyable read as well as visual experience. I plan on making all of the recipes in this lovely book!

[Tamara Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie is the best and I love her show too!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several new things to try. Very excited.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just really would like to meet Valerie. She is just so down to earth and open. I appreciate that.