Ep 11. 30-Minute Passport to France

30 Minute Meals season 5 episode 11, titled "30-Minute Passport to France," takes viewers on a culinary journey to the country known for its rich history and iconic gastronomy. Host and chef extraordinaire Rachael Ray shares recipes that capture the essence of French cooking while sticking to her signature 30-minute time limit.

The episode starts off with Ray showcasing her quick and easy recipe for French Onion Soup. She walks viewers through the process of caramelizing onions, adding broth and herbs, and topping off the soup with melted Gruyere cheese. As always, Ray emphasizes the importance of having all the ingredients prepped and ready to go before starting any recipe to maximize efficiency.

Next on the menu is a classic dish from the French region of Provence, Ratatouille. Ray shows viewers how to chop up eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes, and sauté them in a skillet with garlic, onion, and olive oil. She adds in fresh herbs like thyme and basil, and simmers everything together to create a flavorful and healthy vegetable dish that is perfect for any meal.

For the main course, Ray prepares a mouthwatering French-style chicken dish called Coq au Vin. She explains how to sear chicken thighs, and then sauté bacon, onions, and mushrooms in the same pan to create a rich sauce. After deglazing with red wine, Ray adds in chicken broth, herbs, and sliced garlic, and lets everything simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors have melded together.

No French meal is complete without a decadent dessert, and Ray doesn't disappoint with her simple yet delicious recipe for Chocolate Mousse. She shows viewers how to melt chocolate with butter over a double boiler, and then mix it with egg yolks and sugar to create a rich and creamy base. Once whipped cream is folded in, the mousse is chilled and ready to serve.

Throughout the episode, Ray also shares interesting tidbits of information about French cuisine and culture, from the origins of Coq au Vin to the significance of the baguette in French society. By the end of the 30-minute episode, viewers will feel like they have just taken a whirlwind tour of France's culinary delights, all without leaving their own kitchen.