Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Season 3 Episode 3 Cooking with Wine

In "Cooking with Wine," the third episode of the third season of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, Ina Garten shows off her expertise in cooking with wine in delicious and innovative ways. Garten starts by making a classic French dish, Coq au Vin, which she says is one of her husband Jeffrey's favorites. She begins by browning chicken thighs in bacon fat and then adds chopped onion, carrot, and celery to the pan. The vegetables are cooked until they're soft and then garlic and flour are added to the mix. Finally, chicken stock, red wine, tomato paste, and thyme are added to the pot, and everything is simmered together for about an hour until the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich and flavorful.

Next up, Garten makes a savory Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding that's perfect for a cozy winter dinner. She starts by sautéing a pound of sliced mushrooms in butter and then adds thinly sliced leeks to the mix. The vegetables are cooked together until they're tender, and then white wine and heavy cream are added to the pan. This mixture is then poured into a buttered baking dish along with cubed bread, eggs, and Gruyere cheese. The whole thing is baked together in the oven until it's golden brown and puffy, ready to be served warm and gooey.

For a lighter and more refreshing dish, Garten makes a Seafood and Chorizo Paella that's bursting with flavor. She begins by sautéing sliced chorizo in a large paella pan until it's crispy and browned. Then, diced onion, fennel, and red pepper are added to the pan and cooked until they're soft and fragrant. Garlic, saffron, and paprika are added next for extra flavor, followed by Arborio rice and white wine. Once the liquid has been absorbed, shrimp, clams, and mussels are added to the pan and cooked until they're just cooked through. The whole dish is garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for a bright and zesty finish.

Lastly, Garten rounds out her wine-inspired menu with a sweet and simple dessert: Red Wine Poached Pears. She starts by simmering a bottle of red wine with sugar, cinnamon sticks, and orange zest until the mixture is fragrant and slightly thickened. Then, she adds peeled and cored pears to the pot and simmers them until they're tender and infused with the spicy, sweet flavors of the wine. The pears can be served on their own or with a dollop of whipped cream, making for a delicious and elegant end to any meal.

Throughout the episode, Garten showcases not only her knowledge of cooking with wine but also her ability to elevate classic dishes with her own unique twists. Each recipe is presented with Garten's trademark warmth and humor, and the end results are sure to inspire home cooks to experiment with wine in their own kitchens.