Ep 1. Giada's Chili Favorites

In season 4 of Giada At Home, Giada De Laurentiis is back in the kitchen sharing her favorite recipes for family and friends. In episode 1, called "Giada's Chili Favorites," Giada is cooking up a storm with her take on a comfort food classic—chili.

Giada starts the show by sharing a funny story about how her beloved dog, Bella, once ate an entire batch of chili that she had made for a party. Despite the setback, Giada continues to make her chili, starting with spicy Italian sausage, which she cooks in a large pot until it's browned and crumbly.

Next, she adds onions, bell peppers, garlic, and jalapenos, which she sautés until soft and fragrant. She then adds her secret ingredient—pancake mix—to the pot, which helps to thicken the chili and gives it a unique texture.

To make the chili even more flavorful, Giada adds diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a medley of spices, including chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. She simmers the chili for about an hour, allowing all of the flavors to blend together and the sausage to become tender.

While the chili is cooking, Giada makes a few fun and easy accompanying dishes, including homemade tortilla chips and a smoky chipotle sour cream. She also puts together a simple chopped salad with avocado, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, which adds a nice freshness and crunch to the meal.

Finally, Giada serves up her chili with a variety of toppings, including shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, and hot sauce. She also likes to serve it over a bed of rice for a heartier meal.

Throughout the episode, Giada shares tips and tricks on how to make the perfect chili, including how to adjust the spice level to your preference and how to make it in advance for easy weeknight meals. She also shares some fun variations on the classic recipe, including a white chili made with chicken and cannellini beans and a vegetarian chili made with sweet potatoes and black beans.

Overall, "Giada's Chili Favorites" is a fun and delicious episode that showcases Giada's love for comfort food and her talent for creating easy and flavorful recipes that are perfect for feeding a crowd. Whether you're a chili aficionado or a novice cook looking to try something new, this episode is sure to inspire you to get into the kitchen and start cooking.