Ep 11. Football Weekend

In season 2 episode 11 of Giada At Home, titled "Football Weekend," host Giada De Laurentiis prepares a selection of hearty dishes perfect for a casual football-watching gathering.

The episode opens with Giada hitting up a local farmers market to pick up fresh produce for her dishes. She then heads back to her kitchen and gets cooking, starting with a classic dip: caramelized onion dip with bacon and gruyere cheese. She serves it with crisp pita chips, and it looks like a crowd-pleaser.

Next up, Giada makes a dish that packs a lot of flavor into bite-sized portions: mini meatball sliders. She uses a mix of ground beef and pork, and adds plenty of seasonings for extra oomph. The sliders are topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves, and are served on soft rolls.

For something a little lighter, Giada prepares a salad that incorporates a variety of flavors and textures. Her kale and Brussels sprouts salad is dressed with a tangy lemon-Dijon vinaigrette, and includes toasted almonds, Parmesan cheese shavings, and crispy prosciutto.

Giada also shows viewers how to make a batch of homemade granola bars, perfect for snacking on during the game. Her recipe calls for a mix of oats, almonds, coconut, and dried cherries, along with honey and almond butter to hold everything together.

Finally, Giada puts together a dessert that's sure to satisfy any sweet tooth: chocolate and peanut butter sandwich cookies. The cookies are soft and chewy, and are filled with a creamy peanut butter filling that's rich and indulgent.

Throughout the episode, Giada shares tips for easy entertaining, like how to prep ingredients ahead of time, and how to make dishes that can be assembled quickly once guests arrive. She also emphasizes the importance of having a well-stocked pantry and fridge, so that you can whip up delicious dishes at a moment's notice.

All in all, "Football Weekend" is a fun and festive episode of Giada At Home, filled with delicious recipes and helpful entertaining tips. It's a great watch for anyone looking for inspiration for their next casual get-together.