Ep 11. Great Grilled Chicken and Texas Potato Salad

In Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen season 7 episode 11, titled "Great Grilled Chicken and Texas Potato Salad," the show's hosts take viewers on a tour of one of America's classic summer meals.

The episode opens with a demonstration of how to prepare and grill the perfect chicken. To ensure the meat stays moist and flavorful, the hosts explain the importance of brining the chicken prior to grilling. They also discuss the merits of seasoning the meat with a homemade dry rub, which adds a depth of flavor without overpowering the natural taste of the chicken.

Once the chicken is on the grill, the hosts move on to another key component of the meal: the potato salad. They share their recipe for a Texas-style version, which features a tangy, mustard-based dressing and classic ingredients like celery and hardboiled eggs.

As they prepare the potato salad, the hosts offer helpful tips for achieving the perfect texture and flavor. For example, they recommend boiling the potatoes in heavily salted water to ensure they are seasoned throughout. They also share their secret for achieving the ideal consistency for the dressing, which involves emulsifying the ingredients slowly using a food processor.

As the episode progresses, viewers learn more about the history and culture of classic American summer meals like barbecue and potato salad. Along the way, the hosts share stories and insights that shed light on the cuisine's roots, as well as its continued popularity today.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to gorgeous shots of the finished dishes, as well as step-by-step demonstrations of the cooking process. With their trademark expertise and enthusiasm, the show's hosts engage and inform viewers, taking them on a culinary journey that is as entertaining as it is informative.

For fans of classic American cuisine or home cooks looking to perfect their summer grilling skills, "Great Grilled Chicken and Texas Potato Salad" is an essential episode of Cook's Country from America's Test Kitchen.