Ep 10. Back to Brooklyn

Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 7 episode 10, titled "Back to Brooklyn," is an ode to the city where Ina Garten grew up. In this episode, Ina takes a trip down memory lane and shares some of her favorite recipes that remind her of her childhood in Brooklyn.

The show begins with Ina taking a stroll along the famous Coney Island boardwalk where she used to spend her summers as a child. The sound of the ocean and the smell of fresh seafood take her back in time, and she can't help but reminisce about the days when she used to come here with her family. She visits the iconic Nathan's Famous where she enjoys a hot dog, which is a staple in the neighborhood.

As Ina takes a drive through the streets of Brooklyn, she points out some of her favorite places, including the pastry shop where she used to get her favorite black and white cookies. She then heads to a specialty food store to pick up some ingredients for the recipes she's making in this episode.

Ina's first recipe is for a classic tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons. She starts by cooking onions and garlic in olive oil, then adds canned tomatoes, chicken stock, and a touch of cream. She simmers the soup for a few minutes until it's nice and thick, then blends it until smooth. Finally, she makes the grilled cheese croutons by cutting bread into small squares, topping it with cheese, and broiling it until it's melted and crispy.

Next up is Ina's recipe for chicken and spinach lasagna. Instead of using traditional lasagna noodles, she opts for gluten-free quinoa noodles. She begins by cooking the chicken with onions and garlic until it's browned, then adds spinach and cooks until wilted. She then layers the quinoa noodles with the chicken and spinach mixture, ricotta cheese, and marinara sauce. The lasagna is baked until bubbly and golden brown.

For dessert, Ina makes a classic New York-style cheesecake. She starts by making the crust with graham crackers, sugar, and melted butter. She then mixes cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. She adds eggs one at a time and mixes until well combined. She pours the mixture into the crust and bakes the cheesecake for about an hour until it's set. Finally, she adds a sour cream topping and bakes the cheesecake for a few more minutes.

Throughout the episode, Ina gives tips and tricks for cooking and entertaining. She emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients and taking the time to make everything from scratch. She also shares some of her favorite memories and stories from her childhood in Brooklyn.

In conclusion, Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 7 episode 10, "Back to Brooklyn," is a homage to Ina Garten's hometown and some of her favorite childhood memories and recipes. From classic tomato soup and grilled cheese croutons to gluten-free chicken and spinach lasagna and New York-style cheesecake, these recipes are sure to bring comfort and joy to anyone who tries them.