Ep 1. Bread Winners

In Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 14 episode 1 titled "Bread Winners", Ina Garten is back in her kitchen and this time she's focusing on all types of bread. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, she's got tips and techniques to help you perfect your loaves. Ina's kicking things off with her all-time favorite bread - Irish soda bread. She's pairing it with her delicious homemade honey butter and an easy-to-make Parmesan and Thyme Crackers, perfect for snacking on while the bread bakes.

Next up, Ina's making her Buttermilk Cheddar Biscuits which are deliciously cheesy and flaky. Ina points out that a lot of people are intimidated by baking bread, but it's actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. After all, she says, "it's just flour, water, salt, and yeast."

For the main event, Ina's making Roasted Vegetable Bread Pudding - a savory dish that's great for breakfast or brunch. She's using hearty bread, roasted veggies, and cheese to create a dish that's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Ina stresses the importance of using good-quality bread when making bread pudding, saying that the bread is the star of the show and needs to be able to stand up to the other ingredients.

Lastly, Ina's making her Raspberry Orange Trifle. While it's not strictly a bread dish, it does involve homemade pound cake - which Ina insists is just as easy to make as bread and is perfect for using up leftover eggs. She layers the pound cake with raspberry jam, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries for a dessert that's refreshing and light.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares her tips and tricks for successful bread making, stressing the importance of using high-quality ingredients and taking your time. She reminds viewers that baking bread is a slow process and can't be rushed - but the end result is always worth it. With this episode, even novice bakers will be inspired to try their hand at making delicious bread at home.