Ep 3. Polenta
- TV-Y
- October 17, 2015
- 25 min
Lidia's Kitchen season 3 episode 3, titled "Polenta," features famed Italian chef Lidia Bastianich demonstrating how to make traditional Italian polenta in her own kitchen.
The episode begins with Lidia introducing viewers to the versatile and comforting dish that has been a staple in Italian cuisine for centuries. She explains that polenta is essentially a porridge made from ground cornmeal that can be enjoyed in various ways.
Lidia starts by showing how to make basic polenta by boiling water in a pot and slowly whisking in cornmeal until it thickens. She then adds a generous amount of butter and parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and the polenta becomes creamy and smooth.
After the basic recipe, Lidia goes on to demonstrate how to create different variations of polenta. She makes polenta with sausage and mushrooms, which involves cooking slices of Italian sausage and sautéed mushrooms and then serving them on a bed of creamy polenta.
Next, Lidia makes a hearty meat ragu to serve on top of the polenta. She braises a beef chuck roast in red wine and tomato sauce for hours until it is tender and falls apart. She then slices the meat and serves it with the rich sauce on top of the polenta.
Lidia also shows how to use leftover polenta to make a delicious breakfast dish of polenta pancakes. She mixes in eggs, flour, and baking powder with the leftover polenta and pan-fries the batter until it is golden brown on both sides. She serves the pancakes with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh fruit.
Towards the end of the show, Lidia shares some of her favorite ways to serve polenta as a side dish. She shows how to top the polenta with grilled vegetables and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, as well as how to serve it alongside grilled sausages and peppers.
Overall, Lidia's Kitchen season 3 episode 3 is a comprehensive guide to making and serving delicious polenta dishes. Lidia's warm demeanor and step-by-step approach make it easy for viewers to follow along and learn new techniques. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this episode is sure to inspire you to try your hand at making polenta.
