Ep 11. Turning Up the Volume

In Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 1 episode 11, titled "Turning Up the Volume," Ina Garten is all about entertaining with music. She's throwing a dinner party inspired by her love of music and her favorite playlist.

Ina starts the episode by showing off her own personal record player and collection of vinyl records, explaining how much she loves the nostalgia and warmth of the analog sound. She says that she always has music playing in her kitchen while she cooks, and that it's a big part of her entertaining style.

For this party, Ina invites a group of friends over to listen to music, cook, and enjoy a great meal. She starts off by preparing a simple and delicious cocktail, a Pomegranate Gimlet, made with fresh lime and pomegranate juice, vodka, and a touch of simple syrup. She serves the cocktail with a platter of her favorite hors d'oeuvres, including Cheese Straws and Lobster and Grapefruit Salad, which she explains can be made in advance to make things easier when entertaining guests.

Next, Ina moves on to the main course, a Roasted Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary, which she serves alongside a side dish of Orzo with Roasted Vegetables. She explains the importance of seasoning and resting the meat before carving it, and also shares some tips for cooking orzo perfectly every time.

For dessert, Ina makes a decadent Chocolate Ganache Cake, which she tops with fresh raspberries and a dollop of whipped cream. She explains that this cake is great for a party because it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until it's time to serve.

Throughout the episode, Ina also shares some of her favorite music and playlists, and talks about how music has played a big role in her life and career. She even invites a special guest, her friend and musician Loudon Wainwright III, to join the party and share some of his own music.

As always, Ina's easygoing and entertaining nature shines through in this episode of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, as she shows viewers how to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for entertaining, using music as the inspiration.