Ep 2. Jeffrey's Treat

In this episode of Barefoot Contessa, titled "Jeffrey's Treat," Ina Garten is preparing a special meal for her husband, Jeffrey. As always, Ina's dishes are simple and elegant, but with a little extra something to make them special for the occasion.

The episode starts with Ina making her famous Parmesan crisps. She uses only two ingredients: grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. She piles small mounds of the cheese mixture onto a baking sheet and bakes them until they are golden brown and crispy. These crisps make for an impressive garnish and are the perfect snack to enjoy while cooking.

Next, Ina moves on to the main course. She's making her Pan-Roasted Chicken with Haricots Verts and Garlic. This dish is simple but flavorful, with a crispy skin and juicy meat. Ina shares her tips for cooking the perfect chicken, from drying it off before roasting to making sure the pan is hot before placing the chicken in it. She also adds a touch of white wine to the pan sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

For a side dish, Ina prepares a Pea Salad with Radishes and Feta. She starts with frozen peas, which she defrosts by pouring boiling water over them. She then adds thinly sliced radishes, crumbled feta cheese, and a simple vinaigrette made with lemon juice and olive oil. The result is a fresh and colorful salad that pairs perfectly with the roasted chicken.

Of course, no special meal would be complete without dessert. Ina whips up a batch of her Chocolate Peanut Butter Globs. These cookies are rich and decadent, with a soft and chewy texture that's irresistible. Ina uses chunky peanut butter for added texture and uses a small cookie scoop to create perfectly sized portions. She also shares her tip for making sure the cookies don't spread too much while baking.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares stories about her husband Jeffrey, from their early days together to their latest travels. She also shares her philosophy on entertaining, which is all about enjoying the company of your guests and keeping things simple and stress-free.

Overall, "Jeffrey's Treat" is a lovely episode that showcases Ina's talent for creating delicious and elegant meals with ease. Whether you're cooking for a romantic dinner or just looking to impress your friends and family, the recipes in this episode are sure to inspire.