Ep 2. One Pot Meals

Everyday Italian season 2 episode 2, entitled "One Pot Meals," focuses on Italian dishes that can be made in just one pot, making them perfect for busy weeknights or when you don't feel like doing a lot of dishes.

Host Giada De Laurentiis starts the episode with a simple and satisfying recipe for Sausage and Peppers. She adds onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and Italian sausage to a pot with canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and white wine. The mixture simmers for about 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The dish can be served over pasta, or with some crusty bread on the side.

Next up is a hearty and comforting Tuscan Bean and Sausage Soup. Giada begins by browning Italian sausage in a pot and then removing it from the pot. She then sautés onion, garlic, and tomato paste in the same pot to build flavor. Chicken broth, cannellini beans, and kale are added, and the mixture simmers until everything is tender and the flavors have come together. The sausage is added back in at the end, along with some grated Parmesan cheese for richness.

For a lighter one-pot meal, Giada shows viewers how to make Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Fingerling Potatoes. This dish is incredibly simple, with just chicken thighs, sliced fingerling potatoes, lemon juice and zest, parsley, and olive oil going into the pot. The chicken and potatoes cook together in the oven, and the result is a bright and flavorful dinner that's perfect for a summer evening.

Giada also shares a vegetarian one-pot meal: Eggplant and Zucchini Stew. She begins by sautéing onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a pot. Cubed eggplant and zucchini are added, along with canned tomatoes and white wine. The mixture simmers until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese are stirred in at the end, adding more depth of flavor.

Finally, Giada makes a dish that's perfect for entertaining: Italian Braised Beef with Root Vegetables. She begins by browning beef chuck roast in a Dutch oven, then removing it from the pot. Onion, carrots, and celery are sautéed in the same pot, followed by garlic and tomato paste. Red wine, beef broth, and canned tomatoes are added, and the mixture simmers for about 2 hours. The beef is added back in at the end, along with potatoes and parsnips. The dish can be served family-style, with everyone digging in from the same pot.

Overall, "One Pot Meals" is a great episode for anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine without sacrificing flavor. Giada De Laurentiis proves that you don't need a lot of pots and pans to create delicious and satisfying Italian meals.