Ep 15. Breaking the Bread

In season 3, episode 15 of Lidia's Italy, titled "Breaking the Bread", renowned chef Lidia Bastianich travels to her hometown in Italy to experience the country's food and culture firsthand. The episode centers around the making of bread, a staple in Italian cuisine and tradition.

Lidia begins by visiting a local bakery, where she talks to the baker about his methods for making bread. She learns about the importance of using good-quality flour and water, as well as the ideal temperature and timing for the dough. The baker takes Lidia through the entire process, from mixing the ingredients to shaping and baking the loaves.

Next, Lidia travels to a farm where she meets a family who grows their own wheat and uses it to make their own bread. She joins them in the fields to help harvest the wheat, then watches as they grind it and mix it with water to create dough. The family bakes the bread in a wood-fired oven, and Lidia raves about its flavor and texture.

Later, Lidia meets a group of women who run a social enterprise that helps refugees integrate into Italian society. The women teach the refugees how to make bread, providing them with a skill they can use to earn money and feel more connected to their new home. Lidia learns about the challenges facing refugees in Italy and the importance of community support.

Finally, Lidia visits a monastery where she observes the monks making bread. The monks use ancient techniques and tools, including a large wooden trough for mixing the dough and a large, round oven heated by the flames of a wood fire. Lidia learns about the spiritual significance of bread in the monastery, as well as the role it plays in the monks' daily routine.

Throughout the episode, Lidia marvels at the artistry and passion that goes into making bread, and reflects on the ways in which it brings people together and sustains them. She provides insights into how different types of bread are prepared and served in different regions of Italy, and the cultural and historical contexts in which they are enjoyed.

"Breaking the Bread" is a tribute to the vitality and diversity of Italian food and culture, as well as an exploration of the universal human experience of breaking bread together. Lidia's warmth, curiosity, and expertise make her an engaging and informative host, and her storytelling is sure to delight food lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike.