Ep 13. Big Flavors From Little Italy

In episode 13 of season 9 of Cook's Country, titled Big Flavors From Little Italy, the hosts explore Italian cuisine with a twist. They start off by making a recipe for sausage ragu, a classic Italian dish, but add a uniquely American touch by cooking the sauce in a slow cooker. The recipe uses sweet and hot Italian sausages, which are browned and then cooked with onions, garlic, and canned tomatoes for six hours. The result is a rich, hearty sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta.

Next up, the hosts turn their attention to a lesser-known Italian recipe: broccoli raab and sausage soup. This is a simple but flavorful soup that combines spicy Italian sausage with bitter broccoli raab in a chicken broth base. The dish is topped with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, which add a creamy, nutty flavor to the soup.

For the main course, the hosts show viewers how to make chicken and mushroom marsala. This classic Italian dish features thin-sliced chicken breasts sautéed with mushrooms and served in a rich marsala wine sauce. The dish is easy to prepare and is a crowd-pleaser that can be served with a variety of sides.

To accompany the main course, the hosts prepare a classic Italian side dish: Tuscan white beans. This recipe combines flavorful ingredients like garlic, rosemary, and chicken broth with creamy cannellini beans. The beans are simmered for several hours until they are soft and tender, and then topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of parsley.

Finally, the episode concludes with a recipe for tiramisu. This classic Italian dessert is made with layers of ladyfingers soaked in espresso and rum, and a creamy filling made with mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, and sugar. The dessert is topped with a dusting of cocoa powder, which adds a slightly bitter but delicious flavor to the sweet treat.

Overall, viewers of this episode are treated to a mouth-watering tour of Italian cuisine with a twist. The hosts demonstrate techniques and recipes that are sure to impress and inspire home cooks to experiment with flavors and ingredients in their own kitchens.