Cooking for Real Season 6 Episode 1 Goin' Back to Cali, Kinda
- October 3, 2009
- 21 min
Cooking for Real is a popular cooking show that features host Sunny Anderson as she shares her recipes, techniques, and tips for creating mouth-watering dishes that are both simple and delicious. In the first episode of season 6, titled "Goin' Back to Cali, Kinda," Sunny takes viewers on a culinary journey through her hometown of California.
Sunny begins the episode by reminiscing about the flavors of California and how they have influenced her cooking. She talks about the abundance of fresh produce, seafood, and Mexican-inspired cuisine that can be found throughout the state. To kick off the episode, Sunny creates a refreshing watermelon-mint cocktail, perfect for those hot California days.
For the first dish of the episode, Sunny prepares a scrumptious take on fish tacos. Inspired by the coastal towns of California, Sunny uses white fish fillets and seasons them with chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. She then grills the fish and serves them on corn tortillas with a variety of toppings, including sliced avocado, shredded cabbage, and a homemade salsa made with diced tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice.
Next up, Sunny creates a classic California dish with an Asian twist: the California roll. This sushi roll is typically made with crab meat, avocado, and cucumber, but Sunny kicks it up a notch by adding marinated sesame shrimp to the mix. She also adds a bit of heat with some sriracha mayo, then rolls everything up in a sheet of nori and sushi rice. The result is a deliciously fresh and flavorful sushi roll that is sure to impress.
Continuing with the seafood theme, Sunny creates a spicy and tangy shrimp ceviche that is perfect for any occasion. She begins by marinating cooked shrimp in lime juice and orange juice, then adds a variety of diced vegetables, including red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño. To add some heat, she also includes a bit of hot sauce and chili powder. Sunny serves the ceviche with homemade tortilla chips, creating a light but satisfying snack or appetizer.
For the main course, Sunny prepares a soul-warming bowl of chili that is perfect for those cool California nights. She starts by browning ground beef with onions and garlic, then adds kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and a variety of chili spices, including paprika, cumin, and chili powder. She lets the chili simmer for a while to allow the flavors to meld together, then serves it with a variety of toppings, including shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped chives.
To round out the meal, Sunny creates a sweet and simple dessert that is perfect for any time of year: a mixed berry cobbler. She starts by mixing together a variety of frozen berries, including strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, then tops them with a mixture of flour, sugar, and baking powder. She then pours melted butter over the top and bakes everything until the cobbler is golden brown and bubbling.
Throughout the episode, Sunny peppers in tidbits about her hometown and Californian cuisine. From the abundance of fresh seafood to the influence of Mexican and Asian flavors, she showcases how California cuisine has influenced her own cooking style. With its delicious recipes and entertaining host, "Goin' Back to Cali, Kinda" is a must-watch episode for anyone who loves sunny California cuisine.