Ep 2. Dinner for Mom

In season 2 episode 2 of 30 Minute Meals, host Rachael Ray prepares a special dinner for Mom. The episode begins with Rachael discussing her love for her own mom and the importance of showing appreciation for the mothers in our lives through food.

First up is a salad featuring arugula, apples, and prosciutto. Rachael demonstrates how to make a simple vinaigrette using olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. She also explains how to cut the apples into thin slices using a mandoline and crisping up the prosciutto in the oven for added texture.

Next, Rachael moves on to the main course: pork chops with a creamy mushroom sauce. She seasons the pork chops with a mixture of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika before searing them in a hot skillet. The mushrooms are then added along with some garlic and onions. Once the mushrooms have released their moisture, Rachael adds chicken broth and cream to create a luscious sauce.

To round out the meal, Rachael makes roasted potatoes with rosemary and garlic. She shows how to cut the potatoes into even-sized wedges and toss them with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. The potatoes are then roasted in a hot oven until golden and crispy.

For dessert, Rachael puts a twist on classic strawberry shortcake by using pound cake instead of the traditional biscuit. She macerates the strawberries with sugar to draw out their juices and also makes a whipped cream flavored with vanilla extract.

Throughout the episode, Rachael shares tips and tricks for saving time in the kitchen, such as using a vegetable peeler to shave Parmesan cheese and cooking the pork chops and potatoes in the same oven at different temperatures. She also emphasizes the importance of family and making memories around the dinner table.

Overall, Dinner for Mom is a heartwarming episode of 30 Minute Meals that shows how a little bit of effort and thoughtfulness can go a long way in showing appreciation for the women who raised us.