Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Season 6 Episode 2 Drill Dinner
- TVG
- January 28, 2012
- 20 min
In season 6 episode 2 of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, titled "Drill Dinner," host Ina Garten focuses on making dinner prep easy and quick. The episode begins with Garten showing viewers how to make a simple, yet delicious, white bean and fennel salad, which can be made ahead of time and served cold.
Next, Garten moves on to the main course, a fabulous seafood pasta that is perfect for entertaining. She begins by roasting shrimp and scallops in the oven with plenty of garlic, then combines them with a light cream sauce and linguine. Garten adds a touch of spice to the dish with red pepper flakes, resulting in a perfectly balanced and flavorful pasta.
For a side dish, Garten offers up her Parmesan polenta triangles, which are made with just four ingredients and can be served with a variety of mains. She explains to viewers how to achieve the perfect texture of creamy yet firm polenta, and how to get a nice brown crust on the outside.
Garten also shares her recipe for grilled lemon chicken, which is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. She marinates boneless chicken breasts in lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic before grilling them to perfection on an indoor grill pan. The result is juicy, flavorful chicken that can be served with a variety of sides.
Finally, Garten demonstrates how to make a delicious roasted vegetable platter, which can be customized depending on what seasonal vegetables are available. She shows viewers how to prep the vegetables for roasting, explaining which ones will cook faster than others, and how to make sure they are evenly coated with olive oil and seasonings.
Throughout the episode, Garten shares her tips and tricks for making meal prep easier and more efficient, such as prepping ingredients ahead of time and using versatile ingredients that can be repurposed in multiple dishes. With her signature relaxed and approachable style, Garten makes it easy for viewers to get dinner on the table with minimal stress and maximum flavor.
