Ep 1. The Adventure Begins

Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 8 episode 1, titled "The Adventure Begins," takes viewers on a culinary journey with the show's host, Ina Garten. In this episode, Ina shares some of her favorite recipes inspired by her travels and adventures.

The episode begins with Ina making her favorite breakfast dish, "breakfast ricotta with roasted tomatoes." She explains that she was inspired to create this dish after a trip to Italy where she had a similar dish. Ina uses fresh ricotta cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and basil to create a simple yet flavorful breakfast dish.

Next, Ina takes viewers on a trip to Paris, where she had some of the best croissants of her life. She shares her recipe for homemade croissants, which is an involved process that takes a few days. Ina explains that the key to making great croissants is to use high-quality ingredients and to be patient with the process.

Ina then heads to London, where she had a fantastic lunch at a local pub that served the most delicious fish and chips. She shares her recipe for crispy, fried fish coated in a beer batter and served with homemade tartar sauce and thick-cut French fries.

After her adventures in Europe, Ina heads back home to the Hamptons, where she hosts a dinner party for some friends. She shares her recipe for roasted vegetable lasagna which includes layers of roasted eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers with a creamy ricotta and Parmesan cheese filling.

For dessert, Ina prepares a simple yet elegant fruit tart inspired by her travels in Provence. She layers fresh berries and sliced peaches over a homemade pastry crust and tops it with a drizzle of honey for added sweetness.

Throughout the episode, Ina offers cooking tips and tricks to ensure that viewers can recreate her dishes at home. She emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients and taking the time to properly prepare each dish.

Overall, Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics season 8 episode 1 is a delightful journey through some of Ina Garten's favorite culinary experiences from around the world. From homemade croissants to beer-battered fish and chips, viewers are sure to find inspiration for their own culinary adventures.