Ep 1. Shore Thing

In season 9, episode 1 of Barefoot Contessa titled "Shore Thing", Ina Garten takes her culinary skills to the beach as she sets up a seafood feast for her friends. As the name of the episode suggests, the focus is on dishes made with the bounty of the sea.

Ina starts the episode by going over her preparation checklist: she has already prepped salad greens, made the dipping sauce for the shrimp, and cooked up some homemade cocktail sauce. She then heads to the beach with her friend, Barbara, to get some fresh seafood. They visit the local fishmonger, Steve, who shows them some of his favorite catches of the day. Ina decides on sea scallops, lobster, and shrimp for her menu.

Once back in her spacious and well-equipped kitchen, Ina starts preparing the lobster and shrimp. She boils the lobster with some lemons and makes a classic butter sauce to pair with it. Meanwhile, she makes a dipping sauce for the shrimp using horseradish, ketchup, and hot sauce. She explains to the viewers that cooking seafood isn't complicated, and that it's all about enhancing the natural flavors and textures.

Next up are the sea scallops, which Ina pan-sears in some butter and oil until they are golden brown on both sides. The scallops are served with a simple salad made of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a vinaigrette dressing. Ina also makes some oven-baked and Parmesan-crusted zucchini sticks to go with the scallops.

For dessert, Ina whips up a crowd-pleasing fruit tart. She starts by making a tart dough from scratch, which she pre-bakes before filling it with a cream cheese and lemon mixture. Then, she adds slices of fresh fruit on top in a colorful and appetizing arrangement.

Throughout the episode, Ina emphasizes the importance of good-quality ingredients and thorough preparation. She advises viewers to always taste as they cook and notes that seafood can be the perfect protein for a gathering with friends and family.

Overall, season 9, episode 1 of Barefoot Contessa showcases Ina Garten's mastery of seafood dishes and her love for sharing good food with loved ones. Whether you're a seafood enthusiast or new to cooking with fish and lobster, this episode is sure to inspire you to try out some of Ina's recipes at your next summer party.