Lidia's Kitchen Season 7 Episode 12 A Stovetop Dinner

In this episode of Lidia's Kitchen, titled "A Stovetop Dinner," Lidia Bastianich shares her favorite recipes for creating a delicious and satisfying meal using only a stovetop.

Lidia begins by preparing a simple and flavorful Mushroom and Sausage Risotto. She stresses the importance of slowly adding the broth to the risotto to create the creamy texture that is typical of the dish. Lidia also shares her trick for adding depth of flavor to the risotto by sautéing the mushrooms and sausage before adding them to the dish.

Next up, Lidia creates a light and refreshing Broccoli Rabe and Potato Soup. She starts by sautéing garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil before adding the broccoli rabe and potatoes. Lidia explains that it is important to cook the vegetables until they are very tender to ensure that the soup is smooth and velvety. She then purees the soup using an immersion blender and finishes it with a drizzle of olive oil and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

For the main course, Lidia prepares a classic Italian-American dish, Chicken Cacciatore. She sautés boneless chicken breasts with onions, peppers, and mushrooms before adding crushed tomatoes, white wine, and chicken broth. Lidia encourages viewers to use boneless chicken breasts to speed up the cooking time, but notes that traditional versions of the dish call for bone-in chicken pieces. She finishes the dish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and serves it alongside crusty bread.

Finally, Lidia creates a simple yet satisfying dessert, Chocolate Hazelnut Pudding. She mixes cornstarch, sugar, and salt in a saucepan before slowly adding milk and stirring until the mixture thickens. Lidia then adds dark chocolate and hazelnut paste and continues to stir until the chocolate is melted and the pudding is smooth. She lets the pudding cool to room temperature before serving it with whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares tips for cooking on a stovetop, such as using heavy-bottomed pans to distribute heat evenly and not overcrowding the pan to ensure that the food cooks properly. She also emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and extra-virgin olive oil, to achieve the best flavor in each dish.

Overall, "A Stovetop Dinner" is a delicious and accessible episode of Lidia's Kitchen that showcases the versatility and convenience of cooking on a stovetop. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced home cook, Lidia's tips and recipes are sure to inspire your next meal.