Ep 19. Italian Restaurant Food at Home

In this episode of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, host Ina Garten shows viewers how to recreate classic Italian restaurant dishes in the comfort of their own homes. Throughout the episode, Ina shares her favorite recipes and tips for making pasta from scratch, preparing an antipasto platter, and creating a flavorful main course.

The episode begins with Ina sharing her recipe for homemade pasta dough, which she uses to make fresh spaghetti. Viewers are shown step-by-step instructions for rolling out the dough and cutting it into thin strands. Ina then prepares a simple yet delicious tomato sauce to accompany the pasta. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality canned tomatoes and fresh herbs to elevate the flavor of the dish.

Next, Ina demonstrates how to create a beautiful antipasto platter, a staple in many Italian restaurants. She arranges an assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and roasted vegetables on a large wooden board. Ina also shares her recipe for homemade ricotta cheese, which is a delicious addition to the platter.

For the main course, Ina makes a classic Italian dish - chicken scarpariello. She uses bone-in chicken pieces and cooks them in a flavorful sauce made with white wine, garlic, and lemon juice. Ina also adds potatoes and bell peppers to the dish for an extra pop of flavor and color. Finally, she sprinkles fresh parsley over the top for a garnish.

Throughout the episode, Ina offers her usual helpful tips and tricks for making cooking at home a success. Viewers learn about the importance of seasoning dishes properly, using high-quality ingredients, and not being afraid to experiment with flavors.

Overall, this episode of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics is perfect for anyone who loves Italian food and wants to learn how to make classic dishes at home. With Ina's guidance, viewers are sure to impress their friends and family with their newfound culinary skills.