Ep 23. Simply Delizioso

In Lidia's Kitchen season 7 episode 23, titled "Simply Delizioso," celebrated chef, restaurateur, and author Lidia Bastianich walks viewers through some of her favorite Italian comfort foods. From a savory mushroom risotto to a hearty beef stew, Lidia shares her personal tips and tricks for achieving perfectly balanced flavors in classic Italian dishes.

The episode begins with Lidia preparing a simple yet flavorful mushroom risotto. She explains that while many people think risotto is a complicated dish, it's actually quite easy to make if you follow a few key steps. Lidia uses a combination of dried porcini and fresh cremini mushrooms to create a depth of flavor that can only be achieved through slow cooking. She also emphasizes the importance of using high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to bring the dish to the next level.

Next up is Lidia's take on spaghetti alle vongole, a classic Italian dish featuring spaghetti with clams. Lidia uses fresh Manila clams and a variety of aromatics, including garlic and red pepper flakes, to create a mouthwatering sauce that's both light and flavorful. She also shares her secret ingredient for achieving perfectly cooked pasta every time: cooking it in the same pot as the sauce, so the pasta absorbs all the flavors of the dish.

For the main course, Lidia prepares an indulgent beef stew with porcini mushrooms and gorgonzola cheese. She starts by browning the beef in a heavy-bottomed pot before adding in a variety of vegetables, including onions, carrots, and celery. She then adds porcini mushrooms and a mixture of red wine and beef stock to create a rich, flavorful sauce. And to finish off the dish, she crumbles in some tangy gorgonzola cheese, which adds a perfect depth of flavor to the stew.

Finally, Lidia turns her attention to dessert with a classic Italian dish: tiramisu. She starts by whisking together egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine to create a thick, creamy custard. She then folds in some mascarpone cheese, which is the key to achieving the perfect texture for tiramisu. Lidia also shares her tips for making a robust coffee mixture and highlights the importance of using high-quality ladyfingers for the dessert. This tiramisu recipe is sure to impress even the most discerning of dinner guests.

Throughout the episode, Lidia emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients and taking the time to slow-cook dishes to achieve maximum flavor. Her passion for Italian cuisine shines through in every dish, and viewers are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation for the simplicity and deliciousness of classic Italian comfort foods.