Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Season 4 Episode 4 Jeffrey's Dinner

In the fourth episode of season four of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, titled "Jeffrey's Dinner," host Ina Garten prepares a meal for her husband, Jeffrey, and a few of their close friends. The episode begins with a trip to the local market, where Garten selects fresh ingredients for the evening's menu.

Garten starts the meal off with a classic French dish, Onion Soup Gratinee. She sautés onions until they're caramelized and then adds chicken broth and white wine. She then ladles the mixture into ramekins and tops each with a slice of toasted baguette and grated Gruyere cheese, which she melts under the broiler.

Next up is the main course: mustard chicken salad. Garten takes bone-in chicken breasts and rubs them with Dijon mustard and olive oil before baking them in the oven. She then slices the meat and serves it over mixed greens with tomatoes, goat cheese, and a homemade vinaigrette.

For a side dish, Garten makes herbed basmati rice. She starts by cooking basmati rice in chicken broth before adding in fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and scallions. She finishes the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Finally, for dessert, Garten whips up a simple but elegant frozen lemon mousse. She combines lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and heavy cream and freezes the mixture in individual molds. Before serving, she dips the molds in warm water to loosen the mousse and tops each with a dollop of whipped cream.

Throughout the episode, Garten shares tips and tricks for preparing each dish and emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients. She also stresses the value of entertaining at home and making meals for loved ones, describing it as a way to show that you care.

Overall, "Jeffrey's Dinner" is a cozy and intimate episode that highlights the joy of cooking for others. Garten's classic, sophisticated dishes are sure to impress any dinner guest.