Symon's Dinners Cooking Out Season 1 Episode 1 Mama Mia, What a Meatball!

Symon's Dinners Cooking Out is an exciting new cooking show that aims to take viewers on a mouth-watering journey through the world of outdoor cooking. The show is hosted by the renowned chef, Michael Symon, who is famous for his bold flavors and creative recipes. In season 1 episode 1, viewers are in for a treat as Symon prepares an Italian-inspired feast that centers around a classic dish - meatballs.

The episode, titled Mama Mia, What a Meatball!, primarily focuses on Michael Symon's recipe for meatballs, which he claims is a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. Symon starts off by explaining the key ingredients of his meatballs, which include ground pork, ground beef, grated Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and various herbs and spices. He demonstrates how to mix and mold the meatballs properly, explaining that the size and shape are crucial for the optimal cooking and flavor.

Once the meatballs are prepared, Symon moves on to the sauce, which he says is equally important in making excellent meatballs. The sauce is a classic Italian tomato sauce that includes San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, onions, and basil. Symon emphasizes the importance of browning the onion and garlic first to give the sauce a deeper flavor. He then adds the tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar, and lets the sauce simmer for an hour, allowing it to reduce and intensify flavors.

With the meatballs and sauce prepared, Symon moves on to an accompaniment that he says is the perfect side dish for any Italian meal - polenta. Polenta is a creamy and rich Italian dish made of cornmeal, which serves as the perfect base for the meatballs and sauce. Symon's recipe for polenta includes butter, milk, and Parmesan cheese, which he says adds a creamy, slightly salty flavor to the dish.

Once all the dishes are prepared, Symon sets up an outdoor dining area, getting everything ready for the perfect al fresco Italian feast. He serves up the meatballs on top of the polenta with a generous dollop of the tomato and basil sauce, accompanied by a mixed greens salad. Symon encourages viewers to get creative with their presentation, garnishing the platter with parsley leaves and a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese.

Throughout the episode, Symon offers a plethora of helpful cooking tips and techniques. He includes explanations of why each ingredient is important and how different flavors and textures can be enhanced and complemented. He also stresses the importance of taking time, being patient, and enjoying the process of cooking, emphasizing that outdoor cooking is about more than just the food, but also about the experience and memories created.

Overall, Mama Mia, What a Meatball! is a fantastic start to Symon's Dinners Cooking Out and will leave viewers itching to fire up the grill and create their own flavorful Italian feast. The episode offers practical cooking tips, easy-to-follow instruction, and mouth-watering food that will appeal to even the most discerning culinary palate. Symon's passion and expertise in cooking are undeniable, and viewers will undoubtedly be eager to watch the rest of the episodes in the season.