Ep 8. Ina's Take-Out

Ina's Take-Out is the eighth episode of season seven of Barefoot Contessa, the popular cooking show hosted by Ina Garten. In this episode, Ina takes inspiration from her favorite take-out dishes and recreates them in her own kitchen.

Ina begins the episode by explaining how sometimes, instead of cooking from scratch, she just wants to order take-out. However, she realizes that it's not always easy to find healthy and delicious take-out options. Therefore, she decides to create her own versions of some of her favorite take-out dishes.

The first dish Ina makes is Chinese Chicken Salad, which is a great option for a light and refreshing meal. Ina starts by poaching chicken breasts and then shredding the meat. She then combines the shredded chicken with sliced sugar snap peas, carrot, and red pepper, and adds a dressing made of soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, and grated ginger. To finish the dish, Ina tops it with toasted almonds and crispy wontons.

Next up, Ina shares her recipe for Lobster Corn Chowder, which she says is one of her all-time favorite soups. Ina begins by sautéing bacon until it's crisp, and then adds onions, celery, and garlic. She then adds frozen corn, chicken stock, and a pinch of saffron, and lets the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes. Ina then adds cooked lobster meat and heavy cream to the soup and serves it hot.

For a vegetarian option, Ina creates a Vegetable Sushi Roll that's perfect for a light lunch or snack. Ina starts by cooking sushi rice and then seasoning it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. She then spreads the rice on a sheet of nori, and adds a variety of sliced vegetables such as cucumber, avocado, and bell pepper. Ina then rolls up the sushi tightly and slices it into bite-sized pieces.

Ina's next dish is inspired by Mexican take-out, and it's a Chile Relleno Casserole. Ina begins by roasting poblano peppers until they're charred and then peeling off the skin. She then slices them and layers them in a baking dish with cooked ground beef, chopped onion, garlic, and canned green chiles. Ina then pours a mixture of eggs, half-and-half, and cheese over the top of the casserole and bakes it until set.

Lastly, Ina makes a classic Italian dish, Chicken Parmesan. Ina starts by pounding chicken breasts until they're thin and then breading them in a mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. She then fries the chicken until it's golden brown and crispy. Ina then tops the chicken with marinara sauce and slices of mozzarella cheese, and bakes it until the cheese is melty and gooey.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares helpful cooking tips and tricks, such as how to poach chicken breasts perfectly, how to peel roasted poblano peppers easily, and how to make sushi rice that's not too sticky. She also shares her love of take-out food and how easy it is to create your own take-out favorite dishes at home.

In conclusion, Ina's Take-Out is a mouthwatering episode of Barefoot Contessa that showcases Ina Garten's culinary skills and creativity. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves take-out food but wants to make healthier and more delicious versions at home.