Ep 10. A Perfect Weekend Meal

Lidia's Kitchen season 2 episode 10, titled "A Perfect Weekend Meal," is all about creating a comforting and delicious weekend meal that will satisfy the whole family. Chef Lidia starts the episode off by explaining the importance of taking the time to cook and enjoy a meal together with your loved ones, and how it can bring people together.

The first dish Lidia prepares is a classic Italian pasta dish, spaghetti carbonara. She explains that it's a simple and easy meal to make, using just a few ingredients like spaghetti, pancetta or bacon, eggs, parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Lidia shows how to cook the pasta al dente and how to make the creamy sauce by whisking together the eggs and parmesan cheese. She adds the crispy pancetta to the pasta and then mixes in the egg mixture to create a rich and satisfying dish.

Next up, Lidia prepares a hearty and comforting beef stew with potatoes and carrots. She explains that the key to making a flavorful stew is to brown the meat first and then deglaze the pan with red wine. Lidia adds aromatic veggies like onions, carrots, and celery to the stew and lets it simmer for a few hours until the beef is tender. She also adds potatoes and carrots to the pot to make it a complete meal. Lidia serves the stew with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce.

For a lighter option, Lidia prepares a simple and refreshing salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. She dresses the salad with a balsamic vinaigrette made with honey, mustard, and of course balsamic vinegar. Lidia shows how easy it is to make a homemade salad dressing and how much better it tastes than store-bought.

Lastly, Lidia shares her recipe for a perfect weekend dessert - a classic Italian tiramisu. She layers ladyfinger cookies with a creamy mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs, sugar, and espresso-dipped ladyfingers. She sprinkles cocoa powder on top for a finishing touch. Lidia stresses the importance of letting the tiramisu chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight, so that all the flavors can meld together and the ladyfingers can soften.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares tips and tricks for cooking, like how to properly cut carrots and onions, or how to adjust seasoning to your preference. She emphasizes the importance of using quality ingredients and taking the time to cook and enjoy a meal with loved ones.

Overall, Lidia's Kitchen season 2 episode 10, "A Perfect Weekend Meal," showcases a variety of comforting and delicious dishes that are sure to satisfy the whole family. Lidia's warm and inviting personality makes the show a joy to watch and her cooking tips and recipes are easy to follow and replicate at home.