Ep 15. Italian Staples

In Lidia's Kitchen season 5 episode 15, titled "Italian Staples," renowned chef Lidia Bastianich explores some of the most essential ingredients and staples of Italian cuisine. With her signature charm and knack for storytelling, Lidia takes viewers on a journey through Italy's rich culinary traditions, highlighting the key ingredients that form the foundation of so many beloved dishes.

Throughout the episode, Lidia demonstrates how to use these basic ingredients to create a variety of delicious dishes. She offers up tips and techniques for selecting, preparing, and cooking each ingredient, showcasing how simple, flavorful dishes can be made with just a few key staples.

Some of the ingredients featured in the episode include pasta, olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and cheese. Lidia shows viewers how to use each ingredient in creative and unexpected ways, as well as sharing some of her favorite classic recipes.

One segment of the episode focuses on pasta, which is a staple of Italian cuisine and one of Lidia's favorite ingredients. She discusses the many varieties of pasta and how to cook them to perfection, demonstrating how to create a simple yet satisfying pasta dish with garlic, oil, and chili flakes.

Another segment highlights the importance of olive oil in Italian cooking. Lidia explains how to select the best olive oil and demonstrates its versatility, using it in a variety of dishes from salads to pasta.

Tomatoes are another key ingredient in Italian cuisine, and Lidia shows viewers how to use them in a variety of ways. She prepares a classic tomato sauce for pasta and also demonstrates how to make a quick and easy tomato and bread soup.

Garlic is another staple of Italian cuisine, and Lidia offers up some of her favorite garlic-heavy recipes. She prepares a garlic and oil sauce for pasta and also shows viewers how to make a flavorful garlic and herb marinade for grilled chicken.

Cheese is also prominently featured in the episode, with Lidia highlighting some of the most popular Italian varieties such as Parmesan and Asiago. She shows viewers how to use cheese in a variety of dishes, including a creamy macaroni and cheese and a savory chicken and cheese casserole.

Overall, "Italian Staples" is a fun and informative episode that showcases the essential ingredients and techniques of Italian cooking. Lidia's passion for Italian cuisine shines through as she shares her love of these ingredients and demonstrates how to use them to create delicious and satisfying meals. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this episode is sure to inspire you to get creative in the kitchen with some of Italy's most beloved staples.