Struggle Meals Season 7 Episode 5 Spice Spice Baby

Struggle Meals is a cooking show that teaches viewers how to make delicious, nutritious meals on a budget. In season 7 episode 5, titled "Spice Spice Baby," host Frankie Celenza shows viewers how to spice up their meals with creative and flavorful combinations of herbs and spices.

The episode kicks off with Frankie introducing viewers to some of his favorite spices, such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, and turmeric. He explains how each spice can lend a unique flavor and aroma to different types of dishes, and encourages viewers to experiment and try out new combinations.

The first dish Frankie prepares is a spicy chickpea curry, which he flavors with a blend of cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. He shows viewers how to toast the spices to bring out their flavors, and how to combine them with onion, garlic, tomato, and coconut milk to make a rich and satisfying curry. He also shares some tips for cooking with chickpeas, such as how to cook them until they're tender but not mushy, and how to use the liquid from the can to make a thick and creamy sauce.

Next up, Frankie makes a quinoa salad with a zesty lemon and herb dressing. He starts by cooking the quinoa in vegetable broth, which adds extra flavor and nutrition to the dish. He then prepares a dressing with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and a blend of fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and cilantro. He tosses the dressing with the quinoa, along with some chopped cucumber, tomato, and feta cheese, to create a light and refreshing salad that's perfect for summer.

For the main course, Frankie prepares a pan-seared steak with a crispy spice rub. He shows viewers how to season the steak with a blend of spices like paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and brown sugar, and then sear it in a hot skillet to create a crispy crust. He also shares some tips for buying and cooking steak, such as how to choose the right cut and how to cook it to your preferred level of doneness.

To accompany the steak, Frankie makes a roasted sweet potato mash with a spicy harissa sauce. He shows viewers how to roast the sweet potatoes until they're tender and caramelized, and then mash them with butter, salt, and pepper to create a rich and creamy side dish. He also prepares a harissa sauce with chili paste, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, which adds a spicy and tangy kick to the sweet potatoes.

Finally, for dessert, Frankie makes a fruit salad with a vanilla and cinnamon dressing. He shows viewers how to slice up a variety of seasonal fruits, like mango, kiwi, and pineapple, and then toss them in a simple dressing made with Greek yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. He explains how the dressing adds a creamy and fragrant element to the dish, and how the combination of sweet and tangy fruits makes for a refreshing and satisfying end to the meal.

Overall, "Spice Spice Baby" is a fun and flavorful episode of Struggle Meals that showcases the power of herbs and spices to transform simple ingredients into delicious and nutritious dishes. Frankie's enthusiasm and creativity make the recipes accessible and easy to follow, and his tips for cooking with different types of spices are sure to inspire viewers to try out new flavor combinations in their own kitchens. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy dinner or a crowd-pleasing dessert, this episode has something for everyone.