Ep 9. Stephen's Birthday

In the ninth episode of season one of Barefoot Contessa, titled "Stephen's Birthday," Ina Garten prepares a special birthday meal for her friend Stephen. The episode begins with Ina visiting Stephen's flower shop, where she picks out some beautiful sunflowers for the occasion. After bringing the flowers back to her kitchen, Ina gets started on the menu.

For the main course, Ina decides to make a roasted leg of lamb with a garlic and herb marinade. She demonstrates how to prepare the marinade and shows viewers how to score the lamb for more even cooking. Ina then roast the lamb in the oven and makes a delicious sauce to serve with it.

As a side dish, Ina prepares a warm potato salad with a mustard and tarragon dressing. She boils the potatoes until they are just tender, then tosses them with the dressing and some chopped scallions. Ina also makes a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to balance out all the rich flavors of the lamb and potatoes.

For dessert, Ina puts her own spin on a classic chocolate cake. Instead of using traditional frosting, she makes a rich and decadent chocolate glaze to pour over the cake. To serve alongside the cake, Ina makes a fresh raspberry sauce that adds a bright and fruity flavor to the dish.

Throughout the episode, Ina offers tips and tricks for entertaining at home, such as setting the table the night before and keeping the menu simple so that you have more time to enjoy your guests. She also emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients to elevate even the simplest of dishes.

Overall, "Stephen's Birthday" is a great example of the Barefoot Contessa's effortless style of cooking. Ina's recipes are approachable and easy to follow, yet always delicious and impressive enough for a special occasion. Whether you're looking to host a dinner party or simply want to treat yourself to a delicious meal, this episode has plenty of inspiration to offer.