Ep 5. Feel Good Food

In the fifth episode of Barefoot Contessa's first season titled "Feel Good Food," Ina Garten focuses on creating meals that are satisfying and comforting. The episode starts with Garten visiting her friend and fellow chef Anna Pump at her bakery to gather ingredients for a comforting meal.

First up, Garten prepares a classic dish of Beef Bourguignon - a comforting French stew loaded with tender chunks of beef, red wine, and vegetables like carrots, onions, and mushrooms. Garten demonstrates how to make the dish from scratch, starting by marinating the beef for several hours to tenderize and infuse it with flavor. She also adds some fresh thyme and rosemary to the mix for a fragrant aroma. Next, beginning to preheat the oven. After removing the beef from the marinade, she bakes it in the oven with the vegetables until everything is tender and mouthwatering.

For the side dish, Garten creates a simple yet delicious dish of Roasted Carrots. She keeps it simple by tossing the carrots with olive oil and some salt and pepper, then roasting them in the oven until they're tender and slightly caramelized. She adds a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add some greenery to the dish.

For dessert, Garten bakes up a batch of her famous Brownies recipe. She emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients like good chocolate, unsalted butter, and fresh eggs to get the perfect texture and flavor. The brownies come out fudgy and decadent, a perfect treat to round out a comforting and satisfying meal.

Throughout the episode, Garten shares tips and tricks for making every dish the best it can be. She doesn't shy away from using heavy cream or butter to create rich, indulgent flavors, but she also emphasizes the importance of balance and portion control. She also shares some advice on presentation, showing viewers how to plate the beef bourguignon and roasted carrots in an attractive and inviting way.

Overall, "Feel Good Food" is a comforting and satisfying episode of Barefoot Contessa, filled with comforting dishes that are sure to make anyone feel good. Garten's warm and inviting personality shines through as she shares her love of cooking and good food with her viewers. Anyone looking for some ultimate comfort food will be inspired by the recipes in this episode, and will likely be headed to the kitchen to recreate them.