Ep 5. Jeffrey Home Alone

In "Barefoot Contessa" season 7 episode 5, titled "Jeffrey Home Alone," the show's host, Ina Garten, is away from her husband Jeffrey for the weekend. In her absence, Jeffrey is left to fend for himself and whip up his own three-course meal.

Ina's absence presents a unique challenge for Jeffrey, as he admits he's not the most skilled cook. However, he's determined to impress his wife and show her that he's capable of creating delicious meals on his own.

To start off the meal, Jeffrey decides to make a classic French dish, bouillabaisse. He gathers ingredients like mussels, clams, shrimp, and a variety of herbs and spices, and begins cooking the seafood stew.

Throughout the episode, Jeffrey struggles a bit with the cooking process, admitting that he's not used to working alone in the kitchen. He also expresses his appreciation for Ina's help when they cook together, noting that she has a natural knack for cooking that he sometimes lacks.

Despite the challenges, Jeffrey manages to prepare a mouthwatering bouillabaisse that looks and smells delicious. He serves it with crusty bread on the side, and it's clear that he's feeling proud of himself for pulling off such a complex dish.

Next up on the menu is the main course: chicken with goat cheese and sundried tomatoes. Jeffrey explains that he's always been intimidated by cooking chicken, but he's determined to give it a try. He uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts and stuffs them with a mixture of goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, and fresh herbs.

While the chicken is cooking, Jeffrey starts to feel a bit overwhelmed and admits that he's not sure if he's doing everything correctly. However, he keeps plugging away, and the end result is a beautiful and flavorful dish that he's excited to share with his wife.

Finally, for dessert, Jeffrey decides to make a raspberry tart. He prepares a homemade crust and fills it with a creamy custard and fresh raspberries. The finished dessert looks gorgeous, with the vibrant red berries contrasting beautifully against the pale custard and crisp crust.

As Jeffrey puts the finishing touches on the tart, Ina returns home from her weekend away. She's delighted to see the beautiful meal that her husband has prepared for her, and it's clear that she's touched by his effort to cook for her while she was gone.

Overall, "Jeffrey Home Alone" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the love and appreciation that Ina and Jeffrey have for each other. While Jeffrey may not be the most confident cook, he's eager to learn and experiment in the kitchen, and his efforts to make a special meal for his beloved wife are both endearing and inspiring.