Ep 3. Card Sharks

In Barefoot Contessa season 2 episode 3, titled "Card Sharks," Ina Garten prepares a menu for a night of fun and games with her friends. She starts the episode by making a shrimp bisque, which she says is perfect for a dinner party because it can be made ahead of time and reheated when guests arrive. She also shares a few tips for buying and preparing shrimp, such as always buying fresh, uncooked shrimp with the shells and heads intact and removing the veins before cooking.

Next, Ina moves on to the main course, which is a roasted filet of beef with horseradish sauce. She explains how to select and prepare the perfect cut of beef for roasting and shares her technique for cooking it to perfection. She also makes a horseradish sauce from scratch, using a food processor to blend together the horseradish, sour cream, mayo, and seasonings.

For the side dish, Ina prepares roasted root vegetables, which she says is a great way to add color and flavor to a meal. She uses a combination of carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, and roasts them with olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are soft and caramelized.

Finally, Ina finishes off the meal with a dessert of individual apple crisps, which she says is a fun and easy way to serve dessert for a crowd. She uses a combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, and tops them off with a crumbly topping made with oatmeal, butter, sugar, and spices.

Throughout the episode, Ina also shares helpful tips and tricks for entertaining, such as setting the table the night before, using pre-made food as a backup plan, and selecting wines that complement the flavors of the dishes.

Overall, "Card Sharks" is a great episode for anyone who loves to entertain and impress their guests with delicious, homemade food. Ina's shrimp bisque, roasted filet of beef, and roasted root vegetables would make a spectacular dinner party menu, while the individual apple crisps are a fun and easy dessert option.