Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Season 4 Episode 5 Old School Retro Mix
- TVG
- February 5, 2011
- 21 min
In Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics season 4 episode 5, titled "Old School Retro Mix," Ina Garten takes inspiration from retro recipes and gives them a modern twist. First, she makes her take on the popular party appetizer, the Cheese Ball. Ina combines cream cheese, blue cheese, and Roquefort cheese with fresh scallions and herbs before shaping it into a ball, rolling it in nuts, and serving it with crackers. Next up, Ina prepares a classic recipe from the 60s that's making a comeback – Tuna Noodle Casserole. Ina uses fresh ingredients like mushrooms, egg noodles, and cream of mushroom soup to take this vintage dish to a new level.
For the entree, Ina takes inspiration from the classic French dish, Coq au Vin. She prepares Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic, a dish that's just as comforting and flavorful as its French counterpart. Ina braises the chicken in a mixture of white wine and chicken stock to create a succulent and tender main course. She also prepares a colorful and nutritious salad to accompany the chicken dish. Lastly, for dessert, Ina makes a retro classic – Individual Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes.
Throughout the episode, Ina shares tips and tricks for making each dish, including how to pick the freshest produce, how to prepare a marinade, and how to make the perfect cake batter. She emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients when cooking and encourages viewers to experiment with new recipes.
The episode also gives a glimpse into Ina's personal life, as she mentions memories of her mother's cooking, who often prepared vintage dishes like Tuna Noodle Casserole and Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Ina emphasizes the importance of traditional cooking methods and how classic recipes can be updated for modern palates.
Overall, "Old School Retro Mix" is a fun and nostalgic episode that celebrates classic recipes and modern cooking techniques. It's a must-watch for anyone looking for inspiration in the kitchen, whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner.
