Valerie's Home Cooking Season 12 Episode 12 Comforts of Home

Valerie's Home Cooking Season 12 Episode 12, titled "Comforts of Home," is a heartwarming and soulful ode to the cuisine that defines familiar and comforting home-cooked meals. This episode, the finale of the twelfth season, features an array of dishes that are easy to make and delicious to savor.

Valerie Bertinelli, the vivacious host of the show, takes viewers on a culinary journey that showcases some of her favorite dishes that evoke the flavors and memories of her childhood. The episode starts with Valerie introducing the "comfort food" theme of the show, explaining how food can transport us to a place of warmth and nostalgia, making us feel loved and at home.

Valerie's first dish for the episode is a drool-worthy "Chicken and Dumplings" recipe. She describes how this dish was a staple at her family's dinner table on chilly evenings. She shares that her mother used to make this savory and hearty meal from scratch, and it used to take hours. But Valerie's version of the recipe is a shortcut version, which requires only thirty minutes of prep time. She takes us through the process of making her version of chicken and dumplings, explaining the tips and tricks that make it a foolproof recipe.

The second dish on Valerie's menu is her "Tomato and Basil Soup" recipe. She highlights how the simple combination of fresh tomatoes, herbs, and cream creates a creamy, velvety, and comforting soup. Valerie showcases how she has incorporated some additional flavors, such as garlic, onion, and pancetta, into her version of tomato soup, which enhances the dish's overall richness. She even shares a hack of using canned tomatoes, a time-saving tip that makes the recipe adaptable to any season.

Valerie's third dish is an all-time favorite comfort food: "Mac and Cheese." She shares her ultimate mac and cheese recipe, which is a combination of homemade cheese sauce, crispy breadcrumbs, and perfectly cooked pasta. Valerie explains how the dish's secret ingredient, Dijon mustard, adds a tangy and sharp flavor that cuts through the creaminess of the cheese. She also gives some tips for making the cheese sauce perfect, such as using whole milk and room temperature cheeses.

The next dish in the Comforts of Home episode is a classic "Beef Stew" recipe. Valerie tells us how her grandmother used to make this dish on Sunday evenings, and it was a tradition in her family. She shares her version of the recipe, which is a slow-cooked stew made with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, savory broth. She describes how the dish's long cooking time allows the flavors to meld and intensify, making it the ultimate comfort food.

Valerie's last dish for the episode is a dessert that will warm your heart and soul: her "Bread Pudding" recipe. Valerie showcases how bread pudding is a versatile dessert that can be customized with different types of bread and flavors, like chocolate chips and raisins. She shares her recipe, which is the combination of a rich custard made with eggs, cream, and vanilla, and buttery bread. Valerie explains how to make the perfect caramel sauce for the bread pudding, which adds a sweet and nutty flavor to the dish.

Throughout the episode, Valerie shares tips and tricks for creating comforting home-cooked meals that are easy to make yet packed with flavors. Her recipes are a mix of tradition and innovation, showcasing how comfort food can be elevated and adapted to suit different palates. Her witty and casual style of hosting creates an environment that makes viewers feel like they are cooking alongside her in their own kitchens.

In conclusion, Valerie's Home Cooking Season 12 Episode 12 is a heartwarming tribute to the pleasures of comforting home-cooked meals. The episode's recipes elevate traditional comfort food recipes to a new level, making them more accessible and easy to make. This episode is a fitting finale to the twelfth season, a testament to Valerie Bertinelli's love for cooking and her ability to unite viewers around the shared joy of food.