![Lidia's Kitchen Season 5 Episode 18](https:/images/tv/35932/poster-180x270.jpg)
Ep 18. Slow Cooking
- February 3, 2018
- 24 min
Lidia's Kitchen season 5 episode 18 titled "Slow Cooking" is an episode dedicated to the art of slow cooking. Lidia Bastianich takes her viewers through three classic recipes that are all about taking their time to develop delicious and complex flavors.
The episode begins with Lidia making a hearty and warming beef and vegetable barley soup. She starts by browning the beef, then adds a variety of vegetables including celery, carrots, and tomatoes. She then adds the barley and slowly simmers the soup for several hours until everything is tender and the flavors have melded together. Lidia offers tips throughout the process, including how to skim the foam off the top of the soup to ensure a clear broth and how to adjust the seasoning to taste.
Next up is a dish that is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon - braised pork shoulder with fennel and apples. Lidia starts by searing the pork shoulder on all sides, then adds fennel, apples, and onions to the pot. She also adds white wine and stock to help create a delicious, flavorful sauce. The dish then simmers gently on the stove for several hours until the meat is fall-apart tender and the flavors are well-developed. Lidia shares her tips for checking the meat for doneness and also offers suggestions for serving the dish, noting that it pairs well with a simple salad or roasted vegetables.
Finally, Lidia teaches viewers how to make a slow-cooked classic Italian dessert - panna cotta. She starts by heating cream, sugar, and vanilla beans in a pot, then adding a packet of gelatin and stirring until it is dissolved. The mixture is then poured into ramekins and chilled in the fridge for several hours until set. Lidia offers tips on how to achieve the perfect texture for the panna cotta, noting that it should be firm but still tender and creamy. She also suggests topping the dessert with fresh fruit or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Throughout the episode, Lidia emphasizes the beauty of slow cooking and how taking the time to let flavors develop can result in truly delicious dishes. She also shares stories about her own experiences with these recipes and demonstrates her love for cooking and sharing food with loved ones. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this episode of Lidia's Kitchen is sure to inspire you to take your time and savor the process of cooking.