Ep 24. Feast of the 7 Fishes

Frankie's back with another mouth-watering episode of Kitchen Boss season 2, and this time he's preparing for a festive feast of the 7 fishes. This traditional Italian-American meal is enjoyed on Christmas Eve, and Frankie is pulling out all the stops to ensure his guests are treated to a delicious spread.

The episode opens with Frankie heading to his local fishmonger, where he picks up a variety of fresh seafood, including clams, mussels, shrimp, and squid. As he heads back to the kitchen, he shares some of his tips for selecting the best seafood, emphasizing the importance of smell and texture.

Once back in the kitchen, Frankie gets to work on his first dish, linguine with clams and mussels. He starts by cooking the linguine until it's just al dente, and then sets it aside while he prepares the sauce. Using garlic, white wine, and olive oil, he creates a fragrant and flavorful base for the seafood. He then adds the clams and mussels, cooking them until they open up and release their juices into the sauce. Finally, he tosses the linguine in the sauce and serves it up, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon.

Next up, Frankie moves on to his stuffed calamari, a classic Italian dish that's sure to impress. He starts by cleaning and preparing the squid, removing the innards and tentacles and filling each one with a mixture of bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and garlic. He then seals up the stuffed squid with toothpicks and lightly fries them until they're golden brown. Finally, he serves them up with a simple marinara sauce, letting the flavors speak for themselves.

For his third dish, Frankie shows off his seafood salad, a light and refreshing appetizer that's perfect for the holiday season. He starts by combining cooked shrimp, calamari, and octopus in a large bowl, along with marinated mushrooms, peppers, and olives. He then whips up a zesty vinaigrette using olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon, and herbs, and tosses it all together with the seafood. The resulting salad is colorful, flavorful, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

The final dish on Frankie's menu is his seafood risotto, a rich and satisfying main course that's packed with flavor. He starts by cooking the rice in a mixture of white wine, shallots, and chicken stock, gradually adding in a variety of seafood, including shrimp, scallops, and crab meat. As the rice cooks, it absorbs the flavors of the seafood and the rich, creamy broth, resulting in a dish that's both comforting and indulgent.

Throughout the episode, Frankie shares his tips and tricks for cooking seafood, emphasizing the importance of freshness and simplicity. He also touches on the significance of the feast of the 7 fishes in Italian-American culture, and the joy that comes from sharing a meal with loved ones during the holiday season.

In the end, Frankie's feast of the 7 fishes is a resounding success, with his guests raving about the delicious food and festive atmosphere. With his passion for cooking and his love of family and tradition, Frankie proves once again why he's the ultimate kitchen boss.