Beach Bites with Katie Lee Season 1 Episode 2 Authentic Eats

Katie Lee, the host of the Food Network's Beach Bites, is back in season 1 episode 2 with her new quest to discover the best authentic eats the beachside has to offer. Lee travels the country to explore the gastronomic intricacies of coastal cuisine on a beach-adventure with a twist. Her mission is to uncover the unique and surprising flavors that can be found off-the-beaten-path, tasting everything from traditional dishes to modern twists on classic favorites.

In this episode titled "Authentic Eats," Katie is headed to Galveston, Texas, to get a taste of its famous seafood scene. As she makes her way through the island town, she finds herself in the middle of a beach-side seafood competition. The competition features locally-based food vendors showcasing their most unique seafood dishes to impress a panel of judges, as well as the lucky attendees who get to sample the goods.

Katie starts her culinary exploration with the locally-known seafood taco at the first vendor booth. The taco is bursting with the freshest shrimp, traditionally grilled and served with spicy tomato sauce and lashings of guacamole. She also tries a fish taco, served with a refreshing avocado-lime salsa and a drizzle of creamy sour cream.

After the tacos, Katie heads to a seafood shack and orders the famous Crab Rangoon, which is a cream cheese-based dipping sauce with chunks of succulent crab meat. She also tries the Gulf shrimp served in garlic butter and one of the most popular sandwiches - the Crawfish Po' Boy.

For something different and hearty, Katie decides to try a gumbo. Gumbo is a popular Louisiana-style stew famous for its rich flavors and spicy kick. It is made with a roux-based sauce that gives it a thick, creamy consistency, typically with rice and chicken or seafood.

While wandering along the beach, Katie hears about a spot where locals gather to enjoy a seafood boil. She decides to check it out, and soon finds herself at the beach surrounded by a team of chefs preparing massive pots of seafood. The seafood is cooked to perfection in a spicy, tomato broth with corn and potatoes. It isn't long before Katie joins in on the feast, pulling out sweet crab legs, plump shrimp, and juicy crawfish fresh out of the pot.

Lastly, Katie explores the world of Tex-Mex cuisine and creates a special dish of her own. She takes inspiration from the seafood tacos she tried earlier in the day but makes them her way with a Middle Eastern twist. It is a seafood taco made with falafel instead of the traditional tortilla, and filled with avocado, tomato, and a creamy, flavorful sauce. This Middle Eastern Meets Tex-Mex delicacy is a definite crowd-pleaser.

Katie’s journey is full of adventure and excitement as she explores the incredible flavors of these authentic beachside dishes. Authentic Eats reveals what makes Galveston's seafood scene so unique, and how magical it can be to find the unexpected and delicious secrets of a new cuisine. To catch the full episode, tune in on Food Network at the scheduled time.