Ep 5. Italian Thanksgiving

In this episode of Everyday Italian, host Giada De Laurentiis celebrates the holiday season by showcasing a traditional Italian Thanksgiving feast with her family and friends.

The episode begins with Giada sharing some tips on how to prepare the perfect turkey. She emphasizes the importance of brining the turkey beforehand to ensure it stays juicy and delicious. As she works on the turkey, she prepares some classic Italian sides dishes to accompany the meal, such as herbed stuffing, roasted vegetables, and a creamy polenta.

Giada then takes a trip to a local farmer's market to gather fresh seasonal produce for her dishes. She picks out some beautiful squash and pumpkins, which she plans to use for her pumpkin ravioli dish. She also grabs some fresh herbs, garlic, and onions to add to her dishes for extra flavor.

Back in the kitchen, Giada starts working on her pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter sauce. She explains how to make the pasta dough from scratch and prepares the filling with fresh pumpkin, ricotta cheese, and spices. She also shows viewers how to make the sauce, which consists of melted butter, garlic, and sage. The end result is a beautiful and delicious dish that is perfect for any autumn dinner party.

Next, Giada prepares a creamy polenta with parmesan cheese and mushrooms. She demonstrates how to make polenta the traditional way, using coarse grain cornmeal and chicken broth. She then cooks the mushrooms with garlic and parmesan cheese to create a rich and flavorful topping for the polenta.

As the turkey roasts in the oven, Giada continues to prepare her side dishes. She whips up a classic herbed stuffing with Italian sausage and cubes of sourdough bread. She also roasts a mix of root vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes.

Finally, Giada brings everything together to create a beautiful and delicious Italian Thanksgiving feast. She serves up slices of juicy turkey, alongside bowls of stuffing, roasted vegetables, and creamy polenta. And for dessert, she showcases her pumpkin ravioli with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Throughout the episode, Giada emphasizes the importance of family and tradition in Italian culture. She shares stories about her own family's Thanksgiving traditions and how she incorporates these into her own meals. She also encourages viewers to experiment with their own family recipes and create new traditions in their own kitchens.

Overall, this episode of Everyday Italian is a heartwarming celebration of family, tradition, and delicious food. With its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and classic Italian flavors, it is sure to inspire viewers to try something new in their own kitchens this holiday season.