Ep 1. Bread Winners

In season 25 of Barefoot Contessa, host Ina Garten once again welcomes viewers into her kitchen for delicious recipe ideas and culinary inspiration. In the show's first episode, entitled "Bread Winners," Garten puts her focus on all things bread and baking, demonstrating how easy it can be to whip up warm, fresh bread for any meal or occasion.

The episode begins with Garten demonstrating how to make a simple, no-knead white bread that is perfect for sandwiches or toast. She explains the science behind the recipe and shares her tips for getting the perfect rise and texture. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients and taking the time to develop good techniques, and offers plenty of tricks and shortcuts along the way.

Next up, Garten turns her attention to sourdough bread, a staple that has become increasingly popular in recent years. She demonstrates how to create a starter from scratch, explaining how the fermentation process works and how to care for your starter over time. She then uses the starter to create a beautiful, tangy loaf of sourdough bread that is sure to impress even the most discerning bread lovers.

Garten also shares a recipe for an Italian-inspired focaccia bread that is infused with rosemary and served with sea salt and olive oil. As she prepares the dough, she offers insights into the different types of flour and yeast and how they can affect the finished product. She also shows viewers how to shape and customize the focaccia with additional toppings like cheese, tomatoes, or caramelized onions.

Throughout the episode, Garten's passion for baking comes through in every step of the process, from kneading and shaping dough to the joy of pulling a fresh loaf out of the oven. She offers plenty of encouragement and inspiration for viewers who may be intimidated by the idea of baking their own bread, emphasizing that anyone can learn with practice and patience.

Finally, Garten wraps up the episode with a sweet treat: a cinnamon raisin bread pudding that is perfect for brunch or dessert. She demonstrates how to create a custard base and blend it with chunks of bread, raisins, and cinnamon to create a warm and comforting dish that is sure to be a hit with friends and family.

Overall, "Bread Winners" is a delightful episode that showcases the joy and satisfaction of baking your own bread from scratch. With Garten's expert guidance, even novice bakers will find plenty of inspiration and empowerment to try their hand at creating delicious, homemade loaves.