Ep 10. Italian All Stars

Lidia's Kitchen season 6 episode 10 is titled "Italian All Stars" and is a celebration of Italian cuisine. Host and celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich invites some of her favorite Italian-American chefs to join her in the kitchen for a meal that showcases the best of Italian-American cooking.

The episode begins with Lidia introducing the guests who will be joining her in the kitchen: Andrew Carmellini, Mike Solomonov, and Sarah Grueneberg. All three chefs have made names for themselves by putting their unique spins on Italian cuisine, and Lidia is excited to see what they will contribute to the meal.

The first dish on the menu is a classic Italian-American appetizer: stuffed mushrooms. Lidia shows the chefs how to prepare the mushrooms by removing the stems and filling them with a mixture of breadcrumbs, pecorino cheese, and Italian herbs. While the stuffed mushrooms bake in the oven, Lidia and her guests chat about their favorite Italian-American dishes and the importance of preserving culinary traditions.

Next up is the pasta course, and Lidia has chosen a favorite recipe from her childhood: lasagna. She shows the chefs how to make the pasta from scratch, mixing flour, eggs, and water until a smooth dough forms. While the dough rests, Lidia and her guests make the filling, which includes a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. The chefs are impressed with Lidia's technique for rolling out the pasta sheets and layering them with the cheese filling and homemade tomato sauce. The finished lasagna is a crowd-pleaser, with its golden brown top layer of melted cheese and savory sauce.

For the main course, Lidia and her guests prepare an Italian-American classic: chicken Parmesan. Lidia starts by breading chicken breasts and frying them until golden brown. As the chicken cooks, she simmers a pot of tomato sauce on the stove, which will later be poured over the chicken and topped with mozzarella cheese. The guests are impressed with Lidia's attention to detail, such as using fresh herbs in the sauce and seasoning each layer of the dish with salt and pepper to taste.

Finally, it's time for dessert, and Lidia has a surprise in store. She reveals a tray of cannolis, but instead of the traditional ricotta filling, she has made a chocolate mousse. The chefs are intrigued by this twist on a classic dessert, and Lidia shows them how to pipe the mousse into the delicate pastry shells. The finished cannolis are a decadent end to the meal, with their crispy shells and rich, creamy filling.

Throughout the episode, Lidia and her guests share stories of their Italian-American upbringing and the importance of food in their families. They discuss the ways in which Italian cuisine has evolved in America over the years and the importance of preserving culinary traditions. The chefs are impressed with Lidia's expertise in the kitchen and the delicious dishes they create together.

Overall, "Italian All Stars" is a celebration of Italian-American cuisine and the chefs who have helped to shape it. Lidia's passion for cooking is evident throughout the episode, as she shares her knowledge and love of Italian food with her guests. The dishes they create together are classic, comforting, and sure to satisfy any craving for Italian-American flavors.