Barefoot Contessa Season 5 Episode 8 Back from the Beach

In season 5 episode 8 of Barefoot Contessa, titled "Back from the Beach," Ina Garten shares her favorite recipes and tips for entertaining guests after a relaxing day at the beach.

The episode opens with Ina reminiscing about her recent trip to the beach with her husband Jeffrey. She discloses that they had a wonderful time swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the delicious local seafood. Ina believes that nothing is better than a day at the beach, but she enjoys coming back home and cooking up a storm for her friends and family.

To begin, Ina prepares a refreshing summer cocktail to welcome her guests. She shows viewers how to make a watermelon martini using fresh watermelon juice and vodka. She garnishes it with a fresh sprig of mint and suggests serving it with a plate of charred corn and heirloom tomato bruschetta for a perfect summer appetizer.

For the main course, Ina makes grilled seafood skewers with a Greek salad. She uses fresh swordfish, shrimp, and scallops and threads them onto soaked wooden skewers. She then grills them over an open flame to give them a distinctly smoky flavor. Meanwhile, she prepares the Greek salad with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese. She dresses the salad with a homemade vinaigrette made from red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.

For dessert, Ina prepares a delectable raspberry crumble. She shows viewers how to make the perfect crumble topping using flour, oats, butter, and brown sugar. She then layers the raspberries in a pie dish and sprinkles the crumble topping over them. She bakes the crumble in the oven until the top is golden brown and the raspberries are bubbly.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares her tips for entertaining guests. She emphasizes the importance of keeping it simple and not overcomplicating things. She suggests preparing most of the dishes in advance and simply grilling the seafood skewers to order. She also recommends setting up a casual self-serve bar for the cocktails to allow guests to help themselves and mingle. Ina believes that the key to a successful party is to make everyone feel relaxed and welcome.

In the end, Ina sits down to enjoy her meal with her guests. The grilled seafood skewers are a hit, and the Greek salad proves to be the perfect accompaniment. The watermelon martini is a refreshing drink, and the raspberry crumble is the perfect end to a perfect summer meal. Ina reminds viewers that entertaining doesn't have to be stressful and encourages them to try out some of her tips and recipes for their next summer party.

Overall, "Back from the Beach" is a delightful episode filled with Ina's trademark charm and warmth. Her recipes are simple yet delicious, and her tips for entertaining are practical and helpful. Watching this episode is sure to inspire viewers to get out and enjoy some summer fun with their friends and family.