Barefoot Contessa Season 14 Episode 5 Cooking with Rice

In Barefoot Contessa season 14 episode 5, titled "Cooking with Rice", host Ina Garten explores the various ways to cook with rice. The episode starts with Ina giving a brief introduction about rice and its different varieties like basmati, Jasmine, and Arborio. She also shares some interesting facts about the history and nutritional benefits of rice.

For the first recipe, Ina prepares her favorite risotto with butternut squash and bacon. She explains in detail how to cook Arborio rice perfectly to make the creamy and delicious risotto. Ina also shows how to roast butternut squash and cook the bacon to add more flavor to the dish. She uses white wine and chicken stock to cook the rice and adds parmesan cheese, sage leaves, and nutmeg to complete the dish. The colorful plate of butternut squash risotto looks delicious and appetizing.

Next up, Ina makes a simple yet flavorful rice salad with shrimp. She uses Jasmine rice for this recipe and adds boiled shrimp, cucumber, scallions, red peppers, and fresh basil to the rice. Ina dresses the salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette made with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and olive oil. She says this recipe is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner and can be served either warm or cold.

In the third recipe, Ina creates a comforting and soulful dish called Chicken and Rice Soup. She uses long-grain rice for this recipe and adds chicken breasts, onions, carrots, celery, and thyme to make the broth. Ina also shares her tips for poaching chicken breasts so they don't dry out. She then adds the cooked rice to the broth and garnishes with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. This hearty soup is perfect for cold winter days or when one is feeling under the weather.

Ina's fourth recipe is a vegan and gluten-free rice bowl with roasted vegetables. She uses black rice for this recipe and adds roasted sweet potatoes, red onions, and Brussels sprouts. Ina also shares how to roast the vegetables perfectly in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper. She uses a simple vinaigrette made with lime juice, honey, and olive oil to dress the rice and vegetables. This colorful and healthy rice bowl is perfect for a light dinner or lunch.

Ina's last recipe is a classic chicken and rice casserole that's perfect for feeding a crowd. She uses a mix of wild and long-grain rice for the recipe and cooks chicken breasts in a skillet with herbs and butter. Ina then mixes the chicken with cooked rice and adds frozen peas, carrots, and chicken broth to the casserole dish. She tops the casserole with grated Gruyere cheese and breadcrumbs before baking it in the oven for an hour. This comforting casserole is perfect for a family dinner or potluck.

The episode ends with Ina giving a recap of all the recipes she made and sharing her tips and tricks for cooking rice perfectly. She encourages viewers to experiment with different varieties of rice and share their favorite rice recipes with her.

Overall, "Cooking with Rice" is an informative and exciting episode of Barefoot Contessa that showcases the versatility and deliciousness of rice in various cuisines and dishes. Whether you're a beginner cook or an experienced home chef, this episode offers something for everyone to enjoy.