Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Season 1 Episode 17 Easy French

In this episode of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, titled Easy French, host Ina Garten presents a variety of simple yet delicious French dishes that can be easily recreated at home.

The episode starts off with Ina walking through her garden, picking up fresh ingredients for her recipes. She then heads over to her kitchen to start with her first dish - a classic French frisee salad with lardons. Ina teaches viewers how to make a vinaigrette from scratch, and shares tips on how to make the perfect soft-boiled egg to add to the salad.

Next up, Ina prepares a savory tart made with caramelized onions, goat cheese and herbs. She walks viewers through the process of making homemade crust, while sharing tips on how to achieve the perfect flaky texture. Once the crust is ready, Ina adds the onion and goat cheese mixture and bakes it until golden brown.

For the main course, Ina prepares a simple yet rich and flavorful Chicken Chasseur. She starts by browning chicken thighs in a pan, then adds vegetables and herbs to create a fragrant sauce. Ina explains the importance of using good quality wine in the recipe, and shares a trick for thickening the sauce using flour.

To accompany the chicken, Ina makes herbed rice pilaf, using a combination of herbs and chicken stock to infuse flavor into the rice. She also whips up a quick and easy side dish of roasted carrots with parsley and orange zest.

For dessert, Ina prepares a quintessential French treat - a classic tarte tatin. She demonstrates how to caramelize apples perfectly before baking them in a buttery puff pastry. Ina also shares a clever trick for flipping the tart over onto a plate without making a mess.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares her love of French cuisine and emphasizes the importance of using simple, wholesome ingredients to create delicious meals. She also offers tips and shortcuts for making these dishes quickly and easily, without sacrificing taste or quality.

Overall, Easy French is a great episode for anyone looking to elevate their home cooking game and impress their guests with classic French dishes made simple and easy.