Ep 8. Great Grains

In Lidia's Kitchen season 7 episode 8, titled "Great Grains," the famous chef and TV personality Lidia Bastianich shares some of her favorite recipes featuring various grains, such as barley, farro, and quinoa. The episode starts with Lidia explaining the benefits of including different grains in our diets, as they are rich in nutrients, fiber, and flavor.

The first recipe Lidia prepares is a hearty barley soup with vegetables and beans, perfect for a chilly winter day. She starts by cooking the barley and adding it to a flavorful broth made with celery, carrot, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. Then, she adds some chopped kale and canned beans to make the soup more filling and nutritious. Lidia also mentions that the soup can be adapted to include any vegetables or legumes you have on hand.

Next, Lidia shares her recipe for farro and roasted vegetable salad, a colorful and satisfying dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. She advises starting by cooking the farro in salted water until tender but still slightly chewy. Meanwhile, Lidia roasts some eggplant, red peppers, and zucchini in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Once the vegetables are tender and caramelized, she tosses them with the cooked farro, chopped parsley, and a simple vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard.

For a lighter and more refreshing option, Lidia demonstrates how to make a quinoa and cucumber salad with yogurt sauce. She begins by cooking the quinoa in boiling water until it absorbs all the liquid and becomes fluffy. Then, Lidia adds some diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, scallions, mint leaves, and crumbled feta cheese to the quinoa and tosses everything together. To make the yogurt sauce, she blends some plain Greek yogurt with garlic, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt. Finally, Lidia drizzles the sauce over the salad and garnishes with more mint leaves and feta cheese.

Last but not least, Lidia prepares a dessert that showcases the versatility of grains in sweet dishes. She makes a creamy rice pudding with dried fruits and honey, a comforting and indulgent treat that can be enjoyed warm or cold. Lidia simmers Arborio rice in milk with cinnamon, orange zest, and vanilla until it absorbs all the liquid and becomes tender and creamy. Then, she adds some chopped dried apricots, raisins, and figs to the rice pudding, along with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of toasted almonds. Lidia notes that the rice pudding can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a couple of days.

Throughout the episode, Lidia provides tips and tricks for cooking grains and making them shine in simple yet flavorful dishes. She also emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients, such as whole grains, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs and spices, to enhance the natural flavors of the dishes. As always, Lidia's passion for cooking and sharing delicious food with her audience shines through every recipe she makes.