Barefoot Contessa Season 17 Episode 9 Cook Like a Pro: Store-Bought Is Fine

In season 17, episode 9 of Barefoot Contessa titled "Cook Like a Pro: Store-Bought Is Fine," Ina Garten teaches home cooks how to use store-bought ingredients to create delicious dishes. The episode begins with Ina showing viewers a few products she always has on hand in her pantry, like canned tomatoes and beans.

With these ingredients, she makes a hearty and flavorful Tuscan White Bean soup, which she pairs with homemade grilled cheese croutons. Ina emphasizes that it's all about balancing store-bought and homemade components to create a delicious and satisfying meal.

Next, Ina shares her tips for making a store-bought rotisserie chicken into a delicious and elegant dinner. She demonstrates how to make a mouth-watering mustard sauce to complement the chicken, using Dijon mustard, white wine, and cream.

Ina also makes a fresh Caesar salad with homemade croutons - a perfect accompaniment to the juicy rotisserie chicken. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality store-bought ingredients, such as parmesan cheese and anchovy paste, to elevate the dish.

For those who love Mexican food, Ina shows viewers how to make a delicious and easy chicken enchilada recipe using store-bought rotisserie chicken. She demonstrates how to make a homemade enchilada sauce using canned tomatoes and spices, but also shows how a jarred sauce can be substituted in a pinch.

Ina also makes a fresh side dish of sweet roasted peppers with goat cheese and arugula, perfectly complementing the spicy and flavorful enchiladas.

Finally, Ina shares a dessert recipe that incorporates store-bought puff pastry into a decadent and impressive dessert. She demonstrates how to make a homemade berry compote using fresh berries and sugar, which is then used to top the puff pastry.

Ina's tips for elevating store-bought ingredients are useful for home cooks looking to create delicious and impressive dishes without spending hours in the kitchen. Her recipes are easy to follow and adaptable, making them perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions.