Ep 3. Episode 3

John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen season 5 episode 3 is all about comfort food and heart-warming classics that will take you back to your childhood memories. In this episode, John and Lisa are joined by celebrity guest, comedian Jason Manford, who is a self-confessed foodie and promises to bring some laughs and fun to the kitchen.

The show kicks off with John showcasing his signature slow-cooked lamb shanks with red wine and rosemary in his trusty Le Creuset pot. Lisa complements the lamb with some creamy parmesan and truffle polenta, a perfect match for the rich and savoury lamb. Jason is impressed with the dish and adds his own twist by suggesting serving the lamb with some crusty bread for dipping in the delicious gravy.

Moving on to dessert, Lisa shows us how to create an old-school favourite, the classic bread and butter pudding. She uses brioche bread and adds some dark chocolate chips for an extra indulgent twist. John shows us how to create a luxurious and silky custard to pour over the pudding. Jason, being a Northerner, reminisces about the bread and butter puddings his Grandma used to make and agrees that Lisa's version is spot on.

Next up, John and Lisa prepare a dish that's popular across the globe - spaghetti carbonara. John explains that the dish has a lot of misconceptions and some myths around it, and he sets out to demystify some of these myths. He explains that spaghetti carbonara is a simple dish with just a few ingredients and shares his expert tips on how to make it perfectly every time. Lisa, meanwhile, makes some garlic and herb focaccia to serve with the pasta - the perfect accompaniment.

For a veggie option, Lisa prepares a hearty mushroom and pearl barley risotto. She explains that the dish is inspired by her Italian heritage and is perfect for those cold winter nights. John chips in and shares his love for risotto, revealing that he often uses it to clean out his fridge - adding whatever vegetables and leftover cheese he has lying around. Jason, who is a big meat-eater, is pleasantly surprised by how hearty and satisfying the veggie risotto is.

Finally, John and Lisa end the show on a sweet note with some delicious honeycomb and salted caramel ice cream. John shows us how to make the honeycomb from scratch, and Lisa makes a velvety salted caramel sauce. Jason chips in with some witty one-liners, joking that he'd struggle to decide between the dessert and his wife if he had to choose!

Overall, John & Lisa's Weekend Kitchen season 5 episode 3 is a fantastic episode filled with delicious and comforting food. The dishes are perfect for those lazy weekends where all you want to do is indulge in some soul-warming classics. With Jason's jokes and banter, the show is guaranteed to brighten up your day and leave you hungry for more.