Ep 8. Flavors and Flowers

In Barefoot Contessa season 8 episode 8, titled "Flavors and Flowers," Ina Garten explores the unique combination of flavors and flowers in her cooking. She starts by visiting her friend Michael Devine, who shows off his beautiful flower garden and shares his tips for growing edible flowers. Ina then heads back to her own garden to harvest some herbs and flowers, which she uses in her cooking throughout the episode.

Ina begins by preparing a potato and fennel gratin, topped with brightly colored nasturtium blossoms. She also makes a beautiful salad with peppery arugula and colorful pansies, which she serves alongside a creamy goat cheese tart topped with delicate chive blossoms.

Next, Ina prepares a delicious spring pea risotto, seasoned with fragrant thyme and garnished with vibrant chive blossoms. She also whips up a batch of her famous lemon bars, adding a sprinkle of edible yellow violas on top for an extra pop of color.

Throughout the episode, Ina shares her tips for using edible flowers in cooking, such as using them to add a pop of color and flavor to salads, soups, and pastas. She also discusses the importance of using fresh herbs in cooking, and demonstrates how to make an easy herb-infused oil to drizzle over grilled vegetables.

The episode concludes with Ina taking a stroll through her beloved garden, admiring the flowers and picking a few more herbs to bring into the kitchen. Overall, "Flavors and Flowers" is a delightful exploration of how to incorporate the beauty and flavor of fresh herbs and flowers into your cooking.