Ep 1. Movie Night

Donna Hay - Basics to Brilliance is a cooking show hosted by Australian food stylist and cookbook author Donna Hay. In the first season's premiere episode, titled "Movie Night," Hay demonstrates how to make delicious and simple recipes perfect for a cozy movie night in.

The episode starts off with Hay sharing her tips for making the perfect popcorn, which she says is an essential snack for any movie night. She suggests using ghee instead of butter, which adds a rich, buttery flavor without burning. Hay also recommends adding a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor.

Next, Hay moves on to her recipe for homemade pizza, which she says is a great way to feed a crowd at a movie night. She starts by making the pizza dough from scratch, using a combination of plain and whole wheat flour for added texture. She then tops the pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni, before baking it in the oven until crispy and golden.

Hay also shares her recipe for a creamy baked dip, which she says is perfect for dipping chips or veggies. She starts by combining cream cheese, sour cream, and grated cheddar cheese, before adding in chopped bacon and scallions for extra flavor. She then bakes the dip in the oven until it's hot and bubbly.

For those with a sweet tooth, Hay shares her recipe for homemade ice cream sandwiches, which she says are perfect for a movie night dessert. She starts by making chocolate cookies, which she uses as the base for the ice cream sandwiches. She then makes a simple vanilla ice cream using only heavy cream, condensed milk, and vanilla extract, which she spreads onto the cookies before sandwiching them together. Hay also suggests rolling the edges in chocolate chips or sprinkles for added texture and flavor.

Throughout the episode, Hay shares useful tips and tricks for cooking and baking, such as how to knead pizza dough properly and how to make sure homemade ice cream is the right consistency. She also shares her philosophy of using simple, quality ingredients to create delicious and visually stunning dishes.

Overall, the "Movie Night" episode of Donna Hay - Basics to Brilliance is a great introduction to the show and to Hay's cooking style. The recipes are approachable and easy to follow, making them perfect for both experienced and novice cooks looking to up their kitchen game. Whether you're planning a movie night in with friends or just looking for some delicious and comforting recipes, this episode is sure to inspire you to get cooking.