Ep 2. Fish Fiesta

Lidia's Kitchen is a cooking show hosted by famous Italian-American chef Lidia Bastianich. In season 5 episode 2, titled "Fish Fiesta," Lidia focuses on seafood dishes and shows her viewers how to prepare some classic seafood dishes with a twist. The episode begins with Lidia preparing a dish with monkfish and artichokes. She talks about the importance of using fresh ingredients and how artichokes add a unique flavor to the dish.

Next up, Lidia demonstrates how to cook a classic Italian dish called Spaghetti Alle Vongole, which translates to spaghetti with clams. The dish is made with fresh clams, garlic, white wine, and olive oil. Lidia emphasizes the importance of cleaning the clams properly and suggests serving the dish with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Lidia then moves on to make a seafood salad, which is a perfect dish for summertime. The salad is made with calamari, shrimp, and scallops, mixed with tomatoes, fennel, and olives. Lidia prepares a tangy dressing with lemon juice, olive oil, and mustard to give the salad a zesty flavor.

For the main course, Lidia prepares a dish with branzino, a type of Mediterranean sea bass. She stuffs the fish with fresh herbs and lemon slices and cooks it in the oven until it's golden brown. Once out of the oven, Lidia serves the fish with a side of roasted vegetables, including carrots, beets, and fennel.

Finally, Lidia prepares a dessert using seasonal fruit - a peach crostata. She shows how to make a homemade crust and combines fresh peaches with honey, lemon zest, and cinnamon to make a sweet and delicious filling. Lidia serves the crostata with a dollop of whipped cream, making for a perfect ending to a seafood feast.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares tips and tricks for cooking seafood, such as the importance of not overcooking the fish and how to buy the freshest seafood available. Her easy-to-follow instructions and charming personality make the episode enjoyable to watch. Overall, "Fish Fiesta" is a must-watch episode for seafood lovers who want to learn new techniques and flavor combinations.