Barefoot Contessa Season 17 Episode 5 Italian at Home

In Barefoot Contessa season 17 episode 5, named Italian at Home, Ina Garten is focusing on the Italian cuisine. She invites her friends over to her house to have a cozy Italian dinner. Ina is known for her easy-going cooking style, and in this episode, she shares some of her favorite Italian recipes that can be easily made at home.

The episode starts with Ina Garten taking her audience to the local cheese shop to pick up a few items for the night's dinner - Parmesan Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Burrata. She believes that high-quality ingredients add a lot of flavor to the dishes, and Italian food is all about the quality of the ingredients used. She further explains that Italian cooking is all about simplicity and how even a few basic ingredients can create a delicious meal.

After the cheese shop, Ina heads to her kitchen to start preparing the meal. She starts with a classic Italian dish - Tomato and Eggplant Soup. Ina roasts the eggplant before adding it to the soup, which adds a smoky flavor to the dish. To add some freshness, she adds a few chopped basil leaves before serving. While the soup is simmering, she prepares a side dish - a simple Arugula Salad. The salad has a tangy dressing that is perfectly balanced with the peppery flavor of the arugula.

Next, Ina moves on to the star dish of the night - Chicken Parmesan. She uses a simple technique of breading chicken and topping it with fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Ina shares her tip for getting crispy chicken - to use a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs. Along with the chicken, she prepares a side dish of roasted Garlic-Roasted Broccolini. While the chicken is cooking, Ina prepares the dessert - Tiramisu. She uses ladyfingers soaked in coffee and a mixture of mascarpone cheese and whipping cream to create a delicious and authentic Italian dessert.

The guests start to arrive, and Ina has everything ready to serve. The first course, Tomato and Eggplant Soup, is a hit with everyone. The soup is served with a slice of crusty bread that's perfect for sopping up the broth. The Arugula Salad complements the soup well and offers a refreshing break between courses.

The guests can hardly wait for the Chicken Parmesan, and they love how it turns out. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the tomato sauce is rich and flavorful, and the melted mozzarella cheese adds a perfect finishing touch. The Garlic-Roasted Broccolini is the perfect side dish to the Chicken Parmesan - it's lightly seasoned and roasted to perfection.

The meal ends with the Tiramisu, which is a crowd favorite. The dessert is creamy and light with just the right amount of sweetness. Ina shares her tip for making perfect Tiramisu - to sprinkle a little cocoa powder on top just before serving.

Overall, Ina Garten's Italian at Home episode is a perfect example of how to create an authentic Italian meal with simple ingredients. She shares her insights on the importance of quality ingredients and how using them makes all the difference. Her easy-going cooking style and tips make it easy for anyone to recreate these delicious dishes at home. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about Italian cuisine and how to create a cozy and relaxed dinner for loved ones.