Ep 4. Simple and Elegant Dinner
- TV-G
- January 23, 2021
- 24 min
In season 21 episode 4 of America's Test Kitchen, the focus is on creating a Simple and Elegant Dinner that can be pulled off with relative ease. The episode is hosted by Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison, who are joined by their team of chefs in the test kitchen to deliver the best recipes and cooking tips.
The episode begins with a demonstration on how to make a juicy and flavorful Roast Beef Tenderloin that is sure to impress any dinner guest. Bridget and Julia take the viewers through the entire process of preparing the beef, including a technique for wrapping the tenderloin in bacon to keep it moist and add complexity to the flavor.
Next up, the chefs tackle a popular Italian pasta dish, Spaghetti Carbonara. Carbonara is known for its rich, creamy sauce made from eggs and Parmesan cheese. However, it can be easy to overcook the eggs and end up with a sauce that is too thick or scrambled. Bridget and Julia show viewers how to get the perfect carbonara sauce, with tips on how to temper the eggs and add a touch of acidity to balance the richness.
For the vegetable component of the meal, America's Test Kitchen offers up a recipe for Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey and Sage. This dish is simple yet elegant, featuring a medley of root vegetables like parsnips, carrots, and turnips roasted to perfection and lightly glazed with honey and sage.
The fourth dish on the menu is a classic French dessert, Lemon Tart. Bridget and Julia take viewers through the process of making a buttery tart crust, a tangy lemon curd, and a billowy meringue topping. As always, they also offer helpful tips for making sure the tart turns out flawlessly, including how to prevent the curd from becoming too runny or the meringue from deflating.
Throughout the episode, the America's Test Kitchen team shares a wealth of useful cooking advice and techniques that can be applied not only to these specific recipes but to any home-cooked meal. From how to properly season a beef tenderloin to the best way to cook pasta al dente, there is something to learn for cooks of all skill levels.
In summary, season 21 episode 4 of America's Test Kitchen is all about creating a Simple and Elegant Dinner, featuring a mouth-watering roast beef tenderloin, spaghetti carbonara, roasted root vegetables, and lemon tart dessert. With step-by-step instructions and plenty of helpful cooking tips, this episode is a must-watch for any home cook looking to up their game in the kitchen.