Big Daddy's House Season 1 Episode 2 Dream Dinner
- August 10, 2008
- 21 min
In the second episode of the first season of "Big Daddy's House," titled "Dream Dinner," the show's host, Aaron McCargo Jr., sets out to create the perfect menu for a special event. The episode kicks off with McCargo introducing the concept of the dream dinner, where he asks his guests what their ideal meal would be, and then sets out to make it a reality.
McCargo's first guest is his friend, Ray, who has a love for Cuban food. McCargo decides to create a Cuban-inspired menu, beginning with a traditional Cuban sandwich. He shows viewers how to perfectly toast the bread, and then layers on the ham, roasted pork, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. He then grills the sandwich in a panini press until it's perfectly crispy.
Next up on the menu is a classic yellow rice dish, which McCargo jazzes up with the addition of sautéed onions and peppers. He also adds some cilantro and garlic for added flavor, and shows viewers how to perfectly cook the rice so that it's fluffy and tender.
For the main course, McCargo creates a beautifully spiced pork tenderloin dish, served with black beans and rice. He marinates the pork tenderloin in a blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, garlic, and onion powder. He then sears the pork in a hot pan until it's perfectly browned on all sides, and finishes it off in the oven to ensure it's cooked evenly throughout.
McCargo's final course is a dessert that he dubs "Cuban-style bread pudding." He takes stale bread and soaks it in a mixture of milk, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, before adding in some raisins and baking it in the oven until it's golden brown. He serves it up with a dollop of whipped cream, and his guests can't get enough.
Throughout the episode, McCargo's guests offer up their own cooking tips and tricks, and McCargo shares some of his own insights into what makes for a perfect meal. He emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients and taking the time to properly prepare each dish, and also stresses the value of listening to your guests' preferences in order to create a truly memorable meal.
Overall, "Dream Dinner" is a fun and engaging episode that showcases McCargo's skills as a chef, as well as his ability to connect with his guests. Viewers are sure to come away with a new appreciation for Cuban cuisine, as well as some tips and tricks for how to create their own dream dinner at home.