Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian Season 6 Episode 8 Golden State Gourmet

In season 6 episode 8 of Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian, titled Golden State Gourmet, the focus is on creating affordable yet delicious meals using ingredients sourced from California. Melissa starts off by taking a trip to a local farmer's market where she explores the variety of produce that is in season and available. She stresses the importance of buying fresh and locally sourced ingredients as they are not only healthier but also much more cost-effective.

Back in her kitchen, Melissa starts with a recipe for California Cobb Salad. She emphasizes the importance of using leftover chicken or turkey as the main protein in the salad to save money. She also uses a variety of fresh vegetables sourced from the farmer's market such as avocado, tomatoes, and cucumbers. She shows viewers how to create a quick and easy homemade dressing using olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard.

Next up, Melissa creates a recipe for summer squash and zucchini gratin. She advises viewers to buy the vegetables in season and on sale to keep costs low. She also uses basic pantry staples such as flour, butter, and spices to create a creamy, flavorful sauce for the gratin. Throughout the process, she shares tips on how to properly slice the vegetables and assemble the gratin to ensure it cooks evenly and looks aesthetically pleasing.

For the main course, Melissa prepares a California burger with a side of sweet potato fries. She shows viewers how to create a juicy burger patty using ground beef and spices such as paprika and garlic powder. She also adds in some grated zucchini for added nutrition and texture. She tops the burger with slices of avocado, tomato, and cheese for a California twist. Melissa also shares her recipe for crispy sweet potato fries, which she bakes in the oven to keep them healthy and easy to make.

Lastly, Melissa shares a recipe for raspberry and almond tart for dessert. She uses frozen puff pastry as the base for the tart and fills it with fresh raspberries and a sweet almond filling. She stresses the importance of using fewer ingredients to keep costs low, but also maintaining flavor and texture.

Throughout the episode, Melissa emphasizes the importance of using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to create affordable yet delicious meals. She also shares tips on how to stretch ingredients and use leftovers to minimize food waste and save money. Overall, season 6 episode 8 of Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian is a great resource for anyone looking to create gourmet meals on a budget using ingredients sourced from California.