Ep 1. Back to Basics

Eating In With Lidia is a cooking show hosted by the renowned chef Lidia Bastianich. In the first season episode 1 named "Back to Basics," Lidia shows us how to make simple and delicious Italian dishes right from our own kitchens. The episode begins with Lidia introducing herself and giving a brief history about her life and career in the food industry.

Lidia starts the episode by discussing the importance of using fresh ingredients in cooking. She talks about her love for the Italian kitchen and how simple ingredients can be transformed into beautiful dishes. She then demonstrates how to make homemade pasta using just flour and eggs. She emphasizes on kneading the dough and allowing it to rest before rolling it out to get the perfect texture.

Next, Lidia shows us how to make a simple tomato sauce using canned tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. She stresses the importance of allowing the sauce to cook for some time for the flavors to blend together. She then brings out a tray of vegetables and shows us how to roast them to perfection. She uses a combination of carrots, bell peppers, and onions and seasons them with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

After roasting the vegetables, Lidia assembles a platter with the pasta, tomato sauce, and roasted vegetables. She advises us to keep it simple and let the ingredients speak for themselves. Lidia then moves on to making a classic Italian dessert called Tiramisu. She starts by explaining the origins of Tiramisu and how it gained popularity in the US. She uses fresh cream, espresso, and ladyfingers to make this classic dessert and layers them beautifully in a glass dish.

Lastly, Lidia sits down with her guests and enjoys the meal with them. She talks about the importance of family and how food brings people together. Lidia then encourages us to try these dishes at home and shares the recipes with us. She also urges us to experiment and make the dishes our own by adding our personal touch to them.

In conclusion, "Back to Basics" is a great episode for those who want to learn how to cook authentic Italian dishes in a simple and easy way. Lidia's passion for cooking and belief in using fresh ingredients is evident throughout the episode. Her step-by-step instructions and tips make it easy for beginners to follow along. Overall, it's an enjoyable episode that will leave you feeling inspired to try new recipes in your own kitchen.