Ep 13. Oven Rules

In season 11 episode 13 of Barefoot Contessa, titled Oven Rules, Ina Garten shares her tips and tricks for using the oven to cook delicious meals. She starts by demonstrating how to make mouth-watering Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs and Lemon, which she says is one of her go-to recipes for entertaining. To make this dish, Ina shows viewers how to properly prepare the salmon and season it with fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil. She then shows how to roast the fish to ensure that it's perfectly cooked and moist.

Next up, Ina moves on to making a hearty side dish of Tomato and Eggplant Soup. She explains that this soup is perfect for cold winter days and is bursting with flavor from the fresh vegetables and herbs. Ina shows viewers how to properly roast the eggplant to bring out its natural sweetness, and then adds it to a pot with roasted tomatoes, garlic, and onions. She then simmers the mixture until the vegetables are fully cooked and the flavors have melded together.

Ina then shares her recipe for Parmesan Roasted Zucchini, which is a simple and delicious side dish that is perfect for any weeknight dinner. To make this dish, Ina shows how to properly slice the zucchini to ensure that it roasts evenly, and then seasons it with Parmesan, bread crumbs, and garlic. She then roasts the zucchini until it's tender and golden brown.

Finally, Ina ends the episode by making a show-stopping Blueberry Crumb Cake. She explains that this cake is perfect for brunch or as a dessert after dinner. Ina shows viewers how to make the crumb topping and cake batter from scratch, and then adds fresh blueberries to the mix. She then bakes the cake in the oven until it's golden brown and fully cooked.

Throughout the episode, Ina emphasizes the importance of using the oven properly to ensure that dishes cook evenly and come out perfectly every time. She also shares her expert tips for using fresh herbs and other ingredients to add flavor and depth to dishes. With her warm and engaging personality, Ina makes cooking with the oven seem easy and approachable, and viewers are sure to be inspired to try out her recipes in their own kitchens.