Ep 7. Italian For Beginners

In season 3 episode 7 of Barefoot Contessa titled "Italian For Beginners," Ina Garten takes viewers on a culinary journey to Italy. The episode begins with Ina explaining that she and her husband, Jeffrey, love to travel to Italy. She notes that the country is full of wonderful things to eat, from simple street food to elegant restaurant dishes, and decides to share some of her favorite Italian recipes with viewers.

The first dish Ina teaches viewers to prepare is a classic spaghetti carbonara. She explains that the dish is traditionally made with guanciale, but notes that pancetta or bacon can be substituted. Ina shows viewers how to cook the pasta to al dente perfection and make the creamy sauce using eggs, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and black pepper. She also shows viewers a trick to ensure that the sauce doesn't scramble when it's added to the hot pasta.

Next, Ina moves on to a dish inspired by a meal she had at a Tuscan restaurant. She shows viewers how to make roasted shrimp with feta and orzo, a flavorful, hearty dish that would be perfect for a dinner party. Ina explains that the key to this dish is to let the shrimp marinate for a few hours in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and oregano to enhance their flavor. The orzo is cooked in chicken broth and tomato paste, which gives it a savory, tomatoey flavor, while the feta cheese adds a tangy, salty bite.

For her third dish, Ina takes on a classic Italian appetizer: tomato bruschetta. She explains that the key to a great bruschetta is to use high-quality ingredients, such as fresh, ripe tomatoes, good-quality olive oil, and crusty Italian bread. Ina also shares a tip for making the bread extra crispy: rub each slice with a halved garlic clove before toasting it in the oven. She then shows viewers how to make a simple topping for the bruschetta by mixing together diced tomatoes, minced garlic, basil, and olive oil.

Finally, Ina demonstrates how to make a classic Italian dessert: affogato. She explains that affogato is simply ice cream topped with espresso, a perfect sweet treat to cap off an Italian-themed meal. Ina shows viewers how to make homemade vanilla ice cream and strong espresso, and then combines the two to create a creamy, flavorful dessert.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares invaluable tips and techniques for preparing Italian dishes, such as how to properly cook pasta and how to build layers of flavor in a dish using herbs and spices. She also shares her love and appreciation for Italian cuisine, noting that it's all about using the freshest ingredients and letting them shine in simple, yet flavorful dishes.

"Italian For Beginners" is a great episode for anyone looking to learn how to make classic Italian dishes, from a simple tomato bruschetta to a creamy spaghetti carbonara. Ina's easy-to-follow instructions and her infectious love for Italian food make this episode a joy to watch and a great source of inspiration for home cooks looking to add some Italian flair to their meals.