Ep 2. Cook Like a Pro: Spicy

In this episode of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, titled "Cook Like a Pro: Spicy," Ina Garten shows us how to add some heat to our dishes and takes us through a bunch of her favorite spicy recipes. She starts off with an appetizer of jalapeño cheddar crackers, which she makes from scratch using a few simple ingredients. Next up, she prepares a spicy sauce for her shrimp and chorizo skewers. The sauce is made with garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes, and goes perfectly with the smoky flavor of the grilled shrimp and chorizo.

For the main course, the Barefoot Contessa introduces us to her recipe for chicken enchiladas with salsa verde. She starts by roasting a whole chicken to perfection, then shredding the meat and mixing it with a spicy homemade salsa verde. She wraps the chicken and salsa in tortillas, tops them with cheese, and bakes them until they're warm and gooey.

As a side dish, Ina makes her famous roasted tomatoes with ricotta and bread crumbs. She cuts large tomatoes in half, seasons them with salt and pepper, and roasts them in the oven until they're tender and juicy. Then, she adds dollops of creamy ricotta cheese and a sprinkling of crunchy bread crumbs.

For dessert, the Barefoot Contessa whips up a spicy twist on a classic: chocolate jalapeño ice cream. She starts with a rich chocolate ice cream base, then mixes in some diced jalapeños for a surprising kick. The finished product is a sweet and spicy treat that's definitely not for the faint of heart.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares her tips and tricks for cooking with spicy ingredients, from how to adjust the heat to suit your taste to what types of herbs and spices pair well with different peppers. Her recipes are easy to follow and sure to impress, whether you're cooking for a crowd or just enjoying a spicy meal at home. So grab your favorite bottle of hot sauce and get ready to kick things up a notch with Ina Garten's Cook Like a Pro: Spicy episode.