Ep 5. Al Fresco

In this episode of Giada At Home season 9, Giada De Laurentiis explores the joys of outdoor dining with her friends and family. The episode is appropriately named "Al Fresco," which translates to "in the fresh air" in Italian, and Giada showcases some delicious recipes that are perfect for dining outside.

Giada's first recipe is a refreshing watermelon and cucumber salad with feta and mint. This summery dish is quick and easy to make and is perfect for a hot day. Giada's trick to getting the perfect texture is to use a melon baller to scoop out the watermelon and cucumber.

Next up, Giada makes a grilled shrimp dish served on a bed of quinoa salad. The quinoa salad is packed with veggies like bell peppers, red onion, and parsley, and is dressed with a bright and tangy lemon vinaigrette. The grilled shrimp is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and lemon, and takes only a few minutes to cook.

For her main course, Giada makes a beautiful whole-grilled chicken with lemon and rosemary. She starts by spatchcocking the chicken, which involves removing the backbone and flattening it out so that it cooks faster and more evenly. Giada then marinates the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and rosemary before grilling it to perfection.

To go along with the chicken, Giada makes a side dish of grilled asparagus with a lemon-shallot vinaigrette. Grilling the asparagus gives it a smoky flavor and crispy texture you can't get from any other cooking method.

Finally, Giada offers her take on the classic Italian dessert, tiramisu. Her version is lighter than the traditional recipe and is made with mascarpone cheese, ladyfingers, espresso, and cocoa powder. Giada proves that tiramisu doesn't have to be heavy or overly sweet to be delicious.

Throughout the episode, Giada shares her tips for outdoor dining, including how to set a beautiful table, how to keep bugs away, and how to create an inviting atmosphere with lighting and music. She also invites some of her friends over to enjoy the meal with her.

Overall, "Al Fresco" is a delightful episode of Giada At Home that showcases the beauty of outdoor dining and Giada's mastery of Italian cuisine. The recipes are flavorful, fresh, and perfect for summertime entertaining, and Giada's tips and tricks make outdoor dining feel like a breeze.