Ep 4. Buddy's Asian Spin

Buddy Valastro, the Kitchen Boss, returns in Season 2 with his popular cooking show. In this episode, "Buddy's Asian Spin," Buddy introduces viewers to his twist on traditional Asian cooking. Buddy's love for cooking extends far beyond Italian cuisine, and he's excited to share his own spin on some classic Asian dishes.

The show starts with Buddy walking viewers through his recipe for Asian-style meatballs. He combines ground pork and beef with seasonings like ginger and garlic to give the meatballs a kick. Once the meatballs are formed, he pan-fries them until they're golden brown and crispy. Buddy serves these meatballs with his homemade sweet and sour sauce, which he also demonstrates how to make from scratch. The meatballs are a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Next, Buddy moves on to his recipe for stir-fried vegetables. He uses a combination of baby bok choy, snow peas, and carrots, which he tosses in a wok with soy sauce and sesame oil. Buddy stresses the importance of cooking the vegetables quickly over high heat to retain their nutrients and keep them crispy. The result is a fresh and flavorful dish that's perfect as a side or as a light main dish.

Buddy's Asian-inspired menu continues with his recipe for teriyaki chicken. He marinates chicken breast in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and garlic before grilling it to perfection. The teriyaki sauce that Buddy makes from scratch is a perfect accompaniment to the chicken, adding a sweet and savory flavor that's not too overpowering. Buddy notes that the key to cooking chicken breast is to always use a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches 165°F.

As the episode continues, Buddy takes on a classic Asian noodle dish: pad Thai. He starts by stir-frying rice noodles with shrimp, scrambled eggs, and bean sprouts before adding his homemade pad Thai sauce. Buddy's twist on this dish includes adding extra vegetables such as red bell peppers and scallions. This dish is packed full of flavor, and Buddy emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients to make it shine.

Finally, Buddy wraps up the episode with a dessert inspired by his travels to Japan: green tea ice cream. He starts by steeping green tea bags in hot cream to infuse it with that unmistakable green tea flavor. He then blends the tea-infused cream with sugar and milk, before churning it in an ice cream maker. The result is a deliciously creamy ice cream that's unique and unexpected.

Throughout the episode, Buddy offers his tips and tricks for creating delicious and authentic Asian-inspired dishes. He encourages viewers to experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create their own personalized spin on each dish. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, Buddy's Asian Spin is a must-watch episode that's sure to inspire.