Ep 9. Back Home to Rome

For the ninth episode of season four of Everyday Italian, titled "Back Home to Rome," host Giada De Laurentiis takes a trip to Rome, her birthplace and the city where she learned to cook. The episode focuses on Giada's favorite Roman dishes and the ingredients and techniques that make them so special.

The episode begins with Giada taking viewers on a tour of her old neighborhood in Rome, where she visits some of her favorite food vendors and markets. She stops at a local bakery to pick up some fresh bread for her first recipe, a rustic bread salad called panzanella. Giada explains that this dish is a staple in Tuscan and Roman cuisine, and that it's a perfect way to use up stale bread in a flavorful and satisfying way.

Next, Giada heads to a local restaurant to learn how to make one of her favorite Roman pasta dishes, cacio e pepe. She watches as the restaurant's chef makes the simple yet delicious sauce using just a few key ingredients, including Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. Giada then tries her hand at making the dish herself, and shares tips on how to get the pasta perfectly al dente and the sauce smooth and creamy.

The episode also features Giada making another classic Roman pasta dish, amatriciana. This hearty and flavorful sauce is made with cured pork cheek (guanciale), tomato, and pecorino cheese, and is often served with bucatini or spaghetti. Giada shares her version of the recipe and discusses how the flavors of this dish are deeply tied to the traditions and culture of Rome.

Back in her kitchen in the United States, Giada prepares a Roman-style porchetta, a slow-roasted pork dish that is one of the most famous and beloved in Roman cuisine. Giada explains how the dish is traditionally cooked over a wood fire and seasoned with herbs like rosemary and fennel, and shares her own take on the classic recipe.

Lastly, Giada makes a traditional dessert called maritozzi, sweet brioche buns filled with whipped cream and often served with a cup of cappuccino for breakfast or as a snack. She demonstrates how to make the brioche dough from scratch and shares her tips for making airy whipped cream filling. Throughout the episode, Giada emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients and taking the time to savor and enjoy the flavors of Roman cooking.

Overall, "Back Home to Rome" is a love letter to the city and cuisine that have shaped Giada's culinary career and personal identity. Through her recipes and stories, viewers get a taste of the rich history and culture of Rome and discover the special ingredients and techniques that make its food so delicious.