Ep 4. Big Breakfast

In Barefoot Contessa season 1 episode 4, titled "Big Breakfast," Ina Garten sets out to tackle the ever-popular weekend brunch by preparing a variety of delicious dishes that are sure to impress even the most discerning palates. The opening scene shows Ina standing outside her beautiful East Hampton home, discussing how much she loves entertaining and how much she enjoys preparing a big breakfast for her guests.

Ina begins by making a pitcher of her famous homemade Bloody Mary mix, which includes fresh tomatoes, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, and several other secret ingredients. She also shows viewers how to make a delicious fresh herb frittata that is perfect for brunch. The frittata includes a variety of fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, and tarragon, and is topped with some grated Parmesan cheese.

Next, Ina prepares a classic Eggs Benedict, complete with crispy Canadian bacon, poached eggs, and homemade hollandaise sauce. She starts by preparing the hollandaise sauce, which involves whisking egg yolks, lemon juice, and butter together in a small saucepan until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. She then demonstrates how to poach the perfect egg and assemble the dish so that each component is cooked to perfection.

In addition to the Eggs Benedict, Ina also makes a tasty hash brown potato dish that is seasoned with fresh thyme and garlic and baked in the oven until crispy and golden brown. She notes that this is a great dish to make ahead of time and simply reheat in the oven when you're ready to serve.

To round out the meal, Ina prepares some fresh fruit salad and crispy bacon. She recommends using the freshest fruit you can find and mixing it up with a variety of colors and textures to create a visually appealing and delicious dish. She also shares a pro tip for cooking bacon in the oven, which is much easier and less messy than cooking it on the stovetop.

Throughout the episode, Ina provides viewers with helpful tips and tricks to make their Big Breakfast a success. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients and of planning ahead to make sure that all dishes are ready to be served at the same time.

In typical Barefoot Contessa fashion, the episode is shot in a beautiful, sun-filled kitchen and features plenty of footage of Ina's stunning garden and enviable entertaining spaces. In addition, Ina's warm and friendly personality shines through as she shares her love of cooking and entertaining with viewers.

Overall, "Big Breakfast" is a delicious and inspiring episode of Barefoot Contessa that is sure to leave viewers hungry for more. With Ina's expert guidance and delicious recipes, anyone can recreate this impressive brunch at home and impress their friends and family.