Ep 5. Hand Held

As a cooking show host, Ainsley always tries to find ways to make her viewers' food experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. On this fifth episode of Ainsley's Gourmet Express season 1, called "Hand Held," Ainsley will show us different handheld dishes that will be perfect for your next party.

The episode starts with Ainsley introducing the theme for the week. As she explains, handheld foods are perfect for social occasions and can be served as a main dish or as part of a menu. She gives some tips on how to prepare the ingredients and demonstrates some techniques on how to make the dishes.

The first recipe on the list is a favorite of Ainsley's family: chicken fajitas. She shows us how to make the filling, which includes sautéed bell peppers, onions, and chicken breast cooked in a mix of paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Once the filling is ready, Ainsley wraps it in a flour tortilla and serves it with guacamole and salsa. While she's explaining how to assemble the fajitas, Ainsley reminds us that the recipe is customizable and we can add or remove ingredients according to our taste.

The second dish on the menu is a classic Italian sandwich called a panini. Ainsley uses a ciabatta bread, which she cuts in half, and fills it with prosciutto, mozzarella cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Once the panini is assembled, Ainsley heats it up in a pan to give the cheese a chance to melt and the bread to become crispy. She serves it with a simple salad of arugula, cherry tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar. As she explains the recipe, Ainsley recommends that we can change the filling according to what we have in the fridge, replacing the prosciutto with ham or adding roasted peppers or pesto.

Next, Ainsley shows us how to make mini pizzas using pita bread. She starts by making a tomato sauce, which includes garlic, onions, canned tomatoes, and basil. Once the sauce is ready, Ainsley spreads it on a pita bread and tops it with grated mozzarella cheese and our preferred toppings, from mushrooms and peppers to ham and olives. She then bakes the pizzas in the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. When they are done, Ainsley cuts the pizzas into small triangles and serves them hot with a side of rocket salad.

After the mini pizzas, Ainsley takes us to Asia with her recipe for Vietnamese spring rolls. She explains that these fresh, flavorful rolls are perfect for a hot summer day or as an appetizer for a dinner party. To make them, Ainsley first prepares the filling, which includes shrimp, rice noodles, cucumber, carrot, and fresh herbs like cilantro and mint. She then wets a sheet of rice paper and places the filling on one side of it. Next, she rolls up the paper, making sure that the filling is tight and well wrapped. Ainsley recommends serving the rolls with a dipping sauce that combines soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili, and garlic.

Finally, Ainsley ends the show with a sweet treat: mini apple pies. She starts by making the dough, which includes flour, butter, and a pinch of salt. Once the dough is ready, Ainsley cuts it into small circles using a cookie cutter and places them in greased muffin tins. She then fills the pies with a mix of chopped apples, cinnamon, and sugar and bakes them in the oven until the crust is golden and the apples are tender. When the pies are done, Ainsley dusts them with powdered sugar and serves them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The "Hand Held" episode of Ainsley's Gourmet Express season 1 offers viewers a range of recipes, from classic sandwiches to international dishes. Throughout the show, Ainsley shows us how to make each recipe step by step, giving us tips on how to customize them to our liking. The episode is perfect for anyone looking for new ideas for their next party or casual dinner.