Ep 14. The Palm Squeeze

Lidia's Italy is a popular television series that revolves around Italian food and culture. The show is hosted by the acclaimed Italian-American chef, Lidia Bastianich. In season 1 episode 14, titled "The Palm Squeeze," Lidia takes the audience on a culinary adventure throughout Italy and showcases some of the country's most delicious cuisine.

The episode starts with Lidia in the beautiful region of Tuscany, where she learns the art of making fresh pasta with a gnocchi-making expert. Lidia watches as the expert gently rolls out the dough by placing it on the palm of his hand and squeezing it through his fingers to create perfectly formed gnocchi. Lidia also learns some of the expert's secrets, such as the importance of using the right kinds of flour and knowing how to balance the ingredients to get the right texture.

After making the gnocchi, Lidia and the expert cook the pasta in a simple sauce made with olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. Lidia then travels to the coastal town of Livorno, where she finds a local fisherman who catches eels from the nearby waters. Lidia and the fisherman head out on his boat and catch some eels. Lidia then heads to the kitchen to learn how to prepare them in traditional Tuscan style, by cooking them in a delicious tomato-based sauce.

Next, Lidia heads to the beautiful region of Umbria, where she is joined by a local food historian to learn about Umbrian cuisine. Lidia watches as the historian prepares a dish of pork shoulder stuffed with sausage and fennel. The dish is then tied with string and slow-cooked for several hours until the meat is tender and succulent. Lidia also learns about the history of the dish, which dates back to the Renaissance era.

Lastly, Lidia heads to the town of Città di Castello to visit a family-run olive oil company. Lidia learns about the process of making extra-virgin olive oil, from harvesting the olives to pressing them. She also learns how to recognize the different flavors and characteristics of high-quality olive oil. Lidia then heads to the kitchen to prepare a simple salad of fresh greens and grilled bread, with a drizzle of the delicious olive oil.

Overall, "The Palm Squeeze" is a delightful episode that showcases the diverse and delicious cuisine of Italy. Lidia's passion for Italian food and culture is evident throughout the episode, and she is an excellent guide to the wonderful world of Italian cooking. The show is a must-see for anyone interested in Italian cuisine or food culture, and it is sure to inspire viewers to explore the flavors and traditions of this beautiful country.