Ep 14. Pizza Party

Lidia's Kitchen season 5 episode 14, titled "Pizza Party," is a fun-filled episode where Lidia Bastianich shares some of her favorite pizza recipes with viewers. As the title suggests, the episode is all about pizza and the different ways it can be made and served.

The episode begins with Lidia explaining the history of pizza and how it has evolved over the years. She talks about the different types of pizza - from the classic Neapolitan pizza to the more modern, gourmet varieties. Lidia also shares some interesting facts about pizza, like how it was originally considered a poor man's food, and how it became popular in the US after World War II.

The first recipe Lidia demonstrates is a classic margherita pizza. She begins by making the pizza dough from scratch and explains the importance of kneading the dough properly to create a light and airy crust. Lidia then shows how to make the tomato sauce and assemble the pizza with fresh mozzarella and basil. The result is a beautiful and delicious pizza that's sure to impress any pizza lover.

Next, Lidia makes a pizza bianca - a white pizza made without tomato sauce. She starts by cooking some garlic and olive oil in a pan to create a flavorful base for the pizza. She then adds some ricotta cheese and grated parmesan cheese to create a creamy and indulgent topping. Lidia also adds some sautéed mushrooms and ham to give the pizza some extra flavor and texture.

For the third pizza, Lidia switches things up and makes a calzone - a folded-over pizza filled with various ingredients. Lidia makes the pizza dough and then fills it with sautéed onions, peppers, and mushrooms, as well as some prosciutto and mozzarella cheese. She then folds the dough over to create the calzone and bakes it in the oven until it's golden brown and crispy.

Finally, Lidia shows viewers how to make a pizza alla parmigiana - a pizza made with eggplant and mozzarella cheese. She starts by roasting some eggplant in the oven and then adds it to the pizza along with fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Lidia also adds some fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese to give the pizza some extra flavor and aroma.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares tips and tricks for making the perfect pizza, like how to properly stretch the dough and how to cook the pizza at the right temperature. She also emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients to ensure the best results.

Overall, "Pizza Party" is a fun and educational episode that's perfect for any pizza lover. Lidia's enthusiasm for pizza is contagious, and viewers are sure to be inspired to try their own hand at making some delicious homemade pizza after watching the episode.