Lidia's Kitchen Season 3 Episode 9 Quick and Delicious Braises

Lidia's Kitchen season 3 episode 9, titled "Quick and Delicious Braises," features renowned chef Lidia Bastianich as she demonstrates how to create flavorful braised dishes in a short amount of time. Lidia starts by explaining the basics of braising and how it can be used to transform inexpensive cuts of meat into tender and flavorful dishes. She then proceeds to share her recipes and tips for four different braised dishes.

The first dish Lidia prepares is a classic Italian Osso Buco. She starts by dredging the veal shanks in seasoned flour and then searing them in a hot pan. She adds onions, carrots, and celery to the pan and sautés them until they are golden brown before adding white wine, beef broth, and canned tomatoes. She then adds herbs and spices before covering the pot and allowing the dish to simmer for a few hours until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. Lidia serves the Osso Buco with a gremolata made from lemon zest, garlic, and parsley.

Next, Lidia prepares a Mediterranean-style braised chicken dish with artichokes, olives, and cherry tomatoes. She starts by browning the chicken pieces in a hot pan before adding garlic, onions, and herbs. She then adds artichokes, olives, and cherry tomatoes to the pan and sautés them until they are slightly caramelized. She adds white wine to the pan and lets it boil before adding chicken stock and allowing the dish to braise until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Lidia serves the dish with crusty bread or pasta.

For her third dish, Lidia prepares an Asian-inspired braised pork belly dish with soy sauce, star anise, and ginger. She starts by searing the pork belly in a hot pan before adding ginger, garlic, and star anise. She then adds soy sauce, brown sugar, and chicken broth to the pan and lets the dish simmer for a few hours until the pork is tender and the flavors have melded together. Lidia serves the pork belly with rice and steamed vegetables.

Finally, Lidia prepares a hearty and comforting lamb shank dish with root vegetables and red wine. She starts by searing the lamb shanks in a hot pan before adding onions, carrots, and celery. She deglazes the pan with red wine and adds beef broth, canned tomatoes, and herbs. She then adds parsnips, turnips, and potatoes to the pan and lets the dish simmer until the lamb is tender and the vegetables are soft. Lidia serves the lamb shanks with a side of creamy polenta.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares her expert tips and tricks for braising, such as how to achieve the perfect caramelization on the meat and vegetables, how to balance the flavors of the dish, and how to adjust cooking times based on the cut of meat being used. Viewers will learn how to create quick and delicious braised dishes that are perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions.