Ep 3. Today is Gonna Be a Great Day

Valerie's Home Cooking season 12 episode 3, named "Today is Gonna Be a Great Day," is a cooking show that features Valerie Bertinelli hosting the program, cooking up a storm, and sharing her tips and tricks to make meals delicious and easy.

In this episode, Valerie starts her day in the kitchen with her beloved puppy, Luna, by her side. She believes that a great day starts with a great breakfast, so she's whipping up a delicious and nutritious frittata. She uses a variety of fresh vegetables, such as red and green peppers, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, and seasons them with garlic, thyme, and smoked paprika, giving it a bold and savory flavor. Valerie also adds low-fat cottage cheese for a healthy, high-protein source, and then finishes it off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top, adding richness and depth of flavor.

Next up, Valerie is preparing a lunch dish that's perfect for a picnic or a casual gathering with friends. She loves her Turkey, Avocado, and Bacon Wraps, which are quick and easy to make and taste amazing. Valerie uses a whole wheat tortilla as the base for the wrap and adds sliced turkey, chunks of avocado, crispy bacon, and fresh baby spinach. She also prepares a homemade honey mustard dressing, using Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper, and drizzles it over the whole wrap, enhancing the flavor and providing a tangy, sweet taste that complements the savory ingredients well.

For dinner, Valerie creates a classic Italian dish that's always a crowd-pleaser. Her Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a delicious twist on the traditional recipe, using ground chicken instead of beef and then seasoned with Italian herbs and spices. Valerie also adds Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and egg to the meat mixture, which helps to bind everything together and adds extra flavor. After forming the mixture into meatballs, she pan-fries them until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside, and then bakes them in a homemade marinara sauce. She serves them over spaghetti with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top, making a hearty and satisfying meal.

Lastly, Valerie is making a dessert that's perfect for any occasion. Her Honey-Pecan Blondies are sweet, chewy, and packed with crunch. She starts by toasting chopped pecans with honey and cinnamon, which gives them a rich, caramelized flavor. She then makes a classic blondie batter using butter, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, and baking powder, and then adds the honey-pecan mixture. Valerie bakes them until they're golden brown and gooey, and then serves them with a dollop of whipped cream, adding a touch of lightness and creaminess to the otherwise rich and decadent dessert.

All in all, "Today is Gonna Be a Great Day" is a wonderful episode of Valerie's Home Cooking, showcasing Valerie's warmth, humor, and passion for cooking. The dishes she prepares are delicious, healthy, and easy to make, proving that cooking at home can be fun, rewarding, and delicious. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned cook, this episode will inspire you to get into the kitchen and start cooking up a storm!