Barefoot Contessa Season 6 Episode 8 Ladies Lunch
- TVG
- March 11, 2006
- 21 min
In Barefoot Contessa season 6 episode 8, titled "Ladies Lunch," Ina Garten, the host, hosts a lunch for her female friends. She starts by preparing French potato salad, which is perfect for summer. To make the salad, she uses small boiled potatoes and adds vinaigrette, shallots, and fresh herbs. She then puts together an easy and delicious appetizer. Ina takes puff pastry and tops it with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and prosciutto. After baking for a few minutes, the appetizer is ready to slice and serve.
For the main course, Ina prepares roasted shrimp with feta cheese. She starts by peeling and deveining jumbo shrimp, then sprinkling them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Ina roasts the shrimp in the oven for about ten minutes, then tops them with crumbled feta cheese and takes them back into the oven to melt the cheese. Ina pairs the shrimp with orzo salad, which is made with orzo cooked in chicken stock, and dressed with vinaigrette, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
For dessert, Ina prepares summer fruit crostata, a rustic tart made with a flaky crust and seasonal fruit such as peaches, plums, and nectarines. She starts by preparing the crust with flour, sugar, butter, and ice water. After chilling the dough for some time, she rolls it out and adds the fruit filling, then folds the edges of the crust around the fruit. Ina bakes the crostata until the crust is golden brown.
Throughout the episode, Ina shares tips and tricks for entertaining and cooking for a group. She emphasizes the importance of having a plan, preparing dishes in advance, and enjoying the meal with friends.
In the end, Ina's friends arrive, and they enjoy a beautiful lunch on her terrace. The French potato salad is a hit, and the puff pastry appetizer disappears quickly. The roasted shrimp is flavorful and pairs perfectly with the orzo salad. For dessert, the summer fruit crostata is a refreshing end to the meal.
Overall, the "Ladies Lunch" episode of Barefoot Contessa season 6 showcases Ina Garten's ability to create elegant yet simple dishes that are perfect for a casual gathering. She shares tips for entertaining and cooking for a group, making the episode an excellent resource for anyone looking to host a summer lunch or dinner party.