Ep 12. Fontina Hot and Cold

Lidia's Italy season 3 episode 12, titled "Fontina Hot and Cold," takes viewers on a culinary journey through the region of Valle d'Aosta in northern Italy. The focus of the episode is on the region's famous Fontina cheese, which Lidia uses in both hot and cold dishes.

The episode starts off with Lidia visiting a local cheese shop where she meets with the owner to learn more about the production process of Fontina cheese. From there, she heads to a nearby bakery where she picks up some freshly baked bread to use in her recipes.

Next, Lidia heads to a local market to pick up some fresh produce including mushrooms, potatoes, and leeks – all of which will be used in the dishes she prepares later on in the episode.

Back in the kitchen, Lidia gets to work on her first recipe – a Fontina fondue. She starts by melting the Fontina cheese in a pot on the stove and then adds in some white wine, garlic, and a dash of nutmeg. She then places the pot over a flame and serves the bubbly fondue with cubes of bread and boiled potatoes.

For her next recipe, Lidia prepares a cold Fontina salad. She starts by roasting some mushrooms in the oven, then lets them cool while she prepares a salad dressing made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. Once the mushrooms are cooled, she slices them thinly and adds them to a bed of arugula along with slices of Fontina cheese and chopped walnuts. She drizzles the dressing over the top before serving.

The third recipe Lidia prepares in this episode is a potato and leek soup with Fontina cheese. She starts by cooking the leeks and potatoes in a pot with some chicken broth until they are tender. She then purees the mixture in a blender and adds in some heavy cream and grated Fontina cheese before serving.

Finally, Lidia prepares a dish of baked eggs with Fontina cheese. She starts by sautéing some mushrooms in a pan with garlic and olive oil, then adds in some beaten eggs and Fontina cheese. She finishes the dish off by placing the pan in the oven until the eggs are cooked through.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares information about the history and culture of the Valle d'Aosta region, including the impact that its location near the border of France and Switzerland has had on its cuisine.

Overall, "Fontina Hot and Cold" is an enjoyable and educational episode that showcases the versatility and deliciousness of Fontina cheese. Fans of Lidia's Italy – and Italian cuisine in general – will not want to miss it.