Ep 3. Feeding a Crowd, Italian-Style

In Cook's Country season 1 episode 3, titled "Feeding a Crowd, Italian-Style," the show delves into traditional Italian dishes perfect for serving large groups of people. The episode begins with a visit to an Italian bakery in Boston to learn the secrets behind their delicious cannoli.

The first recipe tackled is a classic eggplant parmesan. The host explains the importance of frying the eggplant slices first to ensure they are cooked through and hold their shape in the final dish. The recipe also includes a homemade marinara sauce, which is made by sautéing onions and garlic before adding canned tomatoes and herbs. The dish is assembled with layers of eggplant, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden.

Next up is a crowd-pleasing pasta dish: baked ziti. The host emphasizes the importance of using smaller noodles that will hold up better when baked, such as ziti or penne. The pasta is cooked until just al dente and then mixed with a homemade meat sauce made from ground beef, onions, garlic, and canned tomatoes. The dish is assembled with a layer of pasta, a layer of ricotta cheese mixed with Parmesan and egg, more pasta, more sauce, and then topped with mozzarella cheese. It's baked until hot and bubbly, and then served with garlic bread.

The final recipe is a classic Italian dessert: tiramisu. The host explains the origins of the dish, which translate to "pick me up," and the importance of using high-quality ingredients like espresso, mascarpone cheese, and ladyfingers. The recipe includes making a homemade custard with egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine, which is mixed with the mascarpone cheese. Ladyfingers are dipped in espresso and then layered with the custard mixture and dusted with cocoa powder. The dessert is chilled until firm and then served.

Throughout the episode, the host provides tips and tricks for making each dish successfully, such as using a mandoline to slice the eggplant evenly and using a hand mixer to ensure the custard for the tiramisu is light and fluffy. The show also includes an equipment segment, highlighting the importance of a good baking dish for the ziti and a kitchen torch for caramelizing the sugar on top of the tiramisu.

Overall, "Feeding a Crowd, Italian-Style" is a great episode for anyone looking to make classic Italian dishes for a group of people. The recipes are approachable and easy to follow, and the host's tips and tricks ensure success in the kitchen. It's a must-watch for fans of Italian cuisine!