Ep 21. Trio of Heartwarming Pasta

Lidia's Kitchen is a cooking show hosted by Lidia Bastianich, an Italian-American chef with years of experience in the culinary world. In season 2 episode 21, titled "Trio of Heartwarming Pasta", Lidia demonstrates three pasta dishes that are perfect for cold winter nights.

The first pasta dish Lidia prepares is a hearty baked rigatoni with meat sauce. She starts by cooking the rigatoni until it's al dente and then mixes it with a meat sauce made with ground beef, pancetta, onions, and tomatoes. Lidia then transfers the mixture into a baking dish, adds a layer of cheese, and bakes it until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Next up is a creamy fettuccine with mushrooms and asparagus. Lidia starts by sautéing garlic and mushrooms and then adds asparagus, chicken stock, and cream. She cooks the fettuccine in a separate pot and then adds it to the creamy sauce. The dish is garnished with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

The third pasta dish Lidia prepares is a spicy linguine with shrimp and arugula. She starts by cooking the linguine until it's al dente and then sautés garlic, red pepper flakes, and shrimp until the shrimp are cooked through. Lidia then adds arugula and lemon juice and mixes the linguine into the mixture. The dish is garnished with toasted breadcrumbs and parsley.

Throughout the episode, Lidia provides helpful tips and techniques for cooking pasta, such as salting the water and testing the pasta for doneness. She also shares stories and memories from her childhood in Italy, emphasizing the importance of family and sharing meals together.

At the end of the episode, Lidia invites her guests to sit down and enjoy the trio of heartwarming pasta dishes together. The guests rave about the flavors and textures of the dishes, and Lidia basks in the pleasure of bringing people together through food.