Ep 23. Goulash, Italian-Style

Lidia's Italy season 1 episode 23 is entitled "Goulash, Italian-Style" and is a mouth-watering exploration into the world of Italian cuisine. In this episode, host Lidia Bastianich takes us on a journey through the northern regions of Italy to discover the origins of the Italian goulash and create her own unique twist on the classic dish.

Lidia starts by introducing us to the traditional Hungarian goulash, which inspired the Italian version. She explains that the dish was introduced to Italy by Hungarian soldiers during World War II and quickly became popular due to its hearty, comforting nature. Lidia then heads to a local market to source the fresh ingredients she needs to create her own version of the dish.

Next, Lidia takes us into her kitchen to demonstrate how to create the perfect Italian goulash. She starts by cooking the onions, peppers, and garlic in olive oil before adding the meat and bacon to create a rich, savory base. Lidia then adds tomato paste, red wine, and paprika to create a complex flavor profile, before simmering the dish for several hours to allow the flavors to meld together.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares little tips and tricks that she has picked up during her years of cooking, such as using red wine vinegar to balance out the sweetness of the tomato paste and adding a couple of bay leaves to the pot to infuse the dish with a subtle herbal aroma.

Once the goulash is finished, Lidia serves it up with a side of creamy polenta, a staple of northern Italian cuisine. She explains that the soft, buttery texture of the polenta provides the perfect contrast to the rich, meaty goulash.

As always, Lidia is a joy to watch as she shares her knowledge and passion for Italian cooking with her audience. Her warmth and humor shine through as she takes us on a gastronomic journey through Italy, and her recipes are sure to inspire even the most novice of cooks.

Overall, "Goulash, Italian-Style" is a delightful episode that showcases the best of Italian cuisine. Whether you're a fan of goulash or simply curious about different cooking techniques, this episode is sure to leave you feeling inspired and hungry for more.