Ep 1. Tutto Pasta

Lidia's Italy season 2 episode 1, titled "Tutto Pasta," takes viewers on a culinary journey through Italy to explore the many delicious variations of pasta. Host Lidia Bastianich, a renowned chef and Italian-American restaurateur, visits small towns and big cities to meet with local cooks and sample their signature pasta dishes.

Throughout the episode, Lidia showcases the beauty and diversity of Italian cuisine, sharing the unique and regional ways Italy prepares pasta. From the traditional, homemade lasagna in Emilia Romagna to the spicy linguine with clams in Calabria, Lidia highlights the infinite possibilities of this beloved Italian staple.

The episode begins with Lidia visiting a pasta factory in Rome to learn about the different types of pasta and techniques used to make them. She then travels to the region of Abruzzo to watch a local cook make his specialty: chitarra alla pecorara. Using an ancient technique that involves pressing dough through a guitar-like tool to create long, thin noodles, Lidia sees firsthand how handmade pasta is truly an art form.

Next, Lidia heads to Bologna, home of the famous Bolognese sauce, to visit a pasta museum and learn about the history of pasta-making in Italy. She then meets with a local chef who teaches her how to make the elusive dish of tagliatelle al ragù, a classic Bolognese pasta dish.

Moving south to Naples, Lidia samples some of the city's famous pizza and then heads to a restaurant where she watches a cook prepare paccheri alla Genovese, a pasta dish that uses slow-cooked onions and beef to create a rich, hearty sauce.

In Sicily, Lidia learns about pasta con le sarde, a dish made with sardines, wild fennel, and a unique pasta shape called bucatini. She also visits a local market to shop for ingredients and sample some of the freshest seafood in the world.

The episode concludes in Calabria, where Lidia tastes a spicy seafood pasta dish and then is taught how to make the region's signature pasta shape, cavatelli, by a local cook.

Throughout "Tutto Pasta," Lidia's enthusiasm and passion for Italian cuisine is infectious. She celebrates the simple, traditional ways of preparing pasta while also highlighting the creativity and innovation of modern Italian cooking. With stunning visuals and mouth-watering dishes, this episode is a must-see for any food lover.