Ep 8. Northern Italian Comforts

In season 6 episode 8 of Lidia's Kitchen, viewers are taken on a journey through Northern Italian Comforts. Lidia Bastianich, the beloved chef and television personality, explores the warm and hearty dishes that provide comfort to the people of Northern Italy.

The episode begins with Lidia preparing a savory Polenta Casserole with Mushrooms and Fontina Cheese. She starts by simmering the cornmeal in milk and adding butter, salt, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. She then adds a layer of sautéed mushrooms and Fontina cheese on top of the polenta and finishes it off in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Next, Lidia shares her recipe for Homemade Tagliatelle with Bolognese Sauce. She explains that the key to a good Bolognese sauce is to start with a soffritto, a combination of chopped onion, carrots, and celery, sautéed in olive oil. She adds ground beef and pork to the soffritto and cooks until browned. Then, she includes a splash of red wine, crushed tomatoes, and beef stock. The sauce simmers for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together. Finally, Lidia serves the sauce over homemade tagliatelle pasta.

The third dish that Lidia presents is a classic Northern Italian stew, Osso Buco Milanese. She starts by searing veal shanks in a large Dutch oven until they are browned. Then, she adds onions, carrots, and celery and sautés until softened. She makes a gremolata by combining lemon zest, garlic, and parsley and sprinkles it over the top of the stew. The dish is finished off in the oven and served with a side of creamy risotto.

For dessert, Lidia whips up a simple and satisfying Italian Ricotta Cheesecake. She mixes together ricotta cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and lemon zest and pours the mixture into a prepared crust. The cheesecake is baked until set and then chilled before serving.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares stories about her childhood in Italy and how these dishes were a staple in her upbringing. She emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients and taking the time to let the flavors develop. Lidia's passion for Northern Italian cuisine is evident in every dish she prepares.

Viewers can expect to be transported to the hearty and comforting world of Northern Italy as Lidia shares her knowledge and love of the cuisine. From savory polenta casseroles to rich osso buco stews, season 6 episode 8 of Lidia's Kitchen offers a warm and welcoming exploration of traditional Northern Italian comfort foods.