Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian Season 6 Episode 3 Paradise by the Cooktop Light

Melissa d'Arabian, winner of the fifth season of the Food Network Star competition, shares her budget-friendly and delicious recipes in Ten Dollar Dinners. In season 6 episode 3, titled "Paradise by the Cooktop Light," Melissa takes viewers on a culinary journey that brings the flavors of the tropics to the dinner table.

The episode opens with Melissa introducing her viewers to her tropical-inspired dinner menu that features a mix of flavors from the Pacific Rim. Her first dish is a succulent pork stir fry that features tender cubes of pork, sautéed with an array of vegetables, and served over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice. She uses a variety of ingredients, including soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, to give the dish an authentic Asian flavor.

Next up, Melissa prepares a tasty shrimp and pineapple skewer dish with a coconut dipping sauce. She explains that the marinade for the shrimp and pineapple is made with a mix of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a dash of cayenne pepper to add a little heat. She then takes the skewers to the grill and cooks them until the shrimp turn pink and the pineapple begins to caramelize. To balance the bold flavors of the skewers, Melissa pairs them with a creamy and cooling coconut dipping sauce.

For her third tropical dish, Melissa prepares a colorful and flavorful coconut curry vegetable sauté. She starts by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a hot skillet, before adding a mix of vegetables such as zucchini, squash, and carrots. She explains that the secret to this dish is the homemade curry sauce that she adds to the vegetables once they have softened. The curry sauce is made from a blend of coconut milk, curry paste, and a bit of honey to balance out the spice.

Finally, Melissa prepares a tropical fruit salad that brings together the flavors of the Pacific Rim. She explains that the salad is made with a mix of tropical fruits such as papaya, mango, kiwi, and pineapple. To bring out the sweetness of the fruit, she tosses them together with a honey-lime dressing that she makes by whisking together honey, lime juice, and a bit of ground ginger.

Throughout the episode, Melissa shares tips and tricks for how to make these dishes on a budget, while still impressing your guests with the bold and tropical flavors. She suggests using frozen vegetables to cut down on costs and buying produce that is in season to ensure the best and most affordable quality.

In "Paradise by the Cooktop Light," Melissa d'Arabian takes viewers on a tropical adventure that brings the flavors and essence of the Pacific Rim to their dinner tables. Her dishes are budget-friendly, easy to make, and perfect for any summertime get-together.