Ep 1. Weeknight Dinners

In Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 19 episode 1, titled Weeknight Dinners, Ina Garten shares tips and recipes for making quick and easy meals for busy weeknights.

Garten starts off by preparing one of her go-to weeknight dishes, Lemon and Garlic Roast Chicken Breasts, using bone-in chicken breasts that are seasoned with lemon zest, garlic, thyme, and olive oil. She serves it alongside a colorful and flavorful Roasted Broccoli with Panko Gremolata.

Next up, Garten puts a spin on a classic comfort food dish, creating a Creamy Tomato Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons. She starts by sautéing onions and garlic, then adding canned whole tomatoes, chicken stock, and heavy cream to create a rich and velvety soup. To accompany the bisque, she makes bite-sized grilled cheese sandwiches that are perfect for dipping.

For a lighter option, Garten prepares a light and refreshing salad of Poached Salmon with Avocado and Grapefruit. She poaches the salmon in a flavorful broth of white wine, aromatics, and lemon slices, then serves it on a bed of baby arugula with diced avocado and grapefruit segments. A simple vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil brings all the flavors together.

Lastly, Garten shares a recipe for a one-pot wonder, her Weeknight Bolognese. She sautés onions, carrots, and garlic in a Dutch oven before adding ground beef, canned tomatoes, and red wine. After simmering for an hour, the sauce thickens and becomes rich and hearty. She tosses it with rigatoni pasta and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a comforting and satisfying weeknight meal.

Throughout the episode, Garten emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients and shares her time-saving tips, such as using pre-chopped garlic and pre-washed greens to cut down on prep time. She also encourages viewers to make their own personal touches to the recipes and to have fun in the kitchen.

Overall, Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 19 episode 1 offers a variety of delicious and approachable weeknight meal ideas that are sure to satisfy the whole family.