Ep 2. A Cheesy Craving

Lidia's Kitchen is a cooking show hosted by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich who is known for her authentic Italian dishes. In season 6 episode 2 titled "A Cheesy Craving," Lidia satisfies her love for cheese by sharing some of her favorite cheesy recipes.

The episode begins with Lidia preparing a simple yet delicious Open-Faced Mushroom and Fontina Sandwich. She starts by sautéing some mushrooms in olive oil with garlic and onion. Then she layers some sliced fontina cheese on top of a piece of toasted bread and broils it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Finally, she tops the sandwich with the sautéed mushrooms and serves it hot.

Next, Lidia makes a comforting Tomato and Cheese Tart using fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and a homemade crust. She mixes some flour, salt, and butter in a mixing bowl and forms a dough which she rolls out to fit into a tart pan. Then she layers some slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and sliced tomatoes in the crust, and bakes it in the oven until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

For the main dish, Lidia prepares a classic Italian meal of Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Tomato Sauce. She starts by cooking some jumbo pasta shells until they are al dente, and then stuffs them with a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, Parmesan cheese, eggs, nutmeg, and salt. She arranges the stuffed shells in a baking dish and covers them with a rich tomato sauce made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and basil. She then bakes the dish in the oven until the shells are cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.

Lastly, Lidia makes a sweet and festive dessert of Mascarpone and Chocolate Tart. She mixes some flour, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs in a mixing bowl to form a dough which she rolls out to fit into a tart pan. Then she bakes the crust in the oven until it's golden and crisp. Meanwhile, she mixes some mascarpone cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl and spreads it over the cooled crust. She then tops it off with a layer of melted chocolate and refrigerates it until it's set.

Throughout the episode, Lidia emphasizes the importance of using fresh and high-quality ingredients when cooking with cheese. She also shares tips and tricks for making homemade crusts and sauces from scratch, as well as creative ways to incorporate cheese into everyday dishes. With her warm and inviting personality, Lidia makes cooking with cheese seem easy and approachable. Whether you're a cheese lover or simply looking for some new recipe ideas, this episode is sure to satisfy your cheesy cravings.