Ep 13. Oven Rules

In Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 1 episode 13, titled "Oven Rules," Ina Garten is all about oven cooking. She starts off by showing viewers how to roast chicken with two different temperature settings, explaining how to achieve the perfect crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy. She also shares a recipe for roasted shrimp with feta and orzo, demonstrating how to cook the orzo in the same dish as the shrimp to save time and infuse the pasta with flavor.

Next, Garten turns her attention to baking, starting with a recipe for blueberry crumb cake. She shares her tips for getting the crumb topping just right and how to make sure the cake is baked through without becoming dry. She also makes mini Italian frittatas in a muffin tin, which are perfect for brunch or a quick breakfast on the go.

Garten wraps up the episode with a recipe for chocolate chunk blondies, which she says are perfect for when you're craving something sweet but don't want to go through the effort of making cookies. She shows viewers how to properly prepare the baking dish and how to know when the blondies are finished baking without overcooking them.

Throughout the episode, Garten shares helpful tips and techniques for oven cooking, such as how to properly season meat before roasting and how to avoid overcooking shrimp. She also emphasizes the importance of preparing all ingredients before starting to cook to ensure a smooth, stress-free cooking experience.

Overall, "Oven Rules" is a great episode for anyone looking to expand their oven cooking skills or looking for some new recipes to try. With Garten's clear instructions and helpful tips, even novice cooks will feel confident tackling these dishes.