Ep 14. My Fruit Trees

Lidia's Kitchen season 8 episode 14, titled "My Fruit Trees," focuses on the many different fruit trees and bushes that Lidia has on her property. She shows viewers how to take advantage of the abundance of fruits by sharing some of her favorite recipes.

The episode opens with Lidia walking through her backyard and pointing out the various fruit trees she has growing, including an apple tree, pear tree, fig tree, and cherry tree. She talks about how each fruit has its own season, and how she loves to use them in different dishes.

The first recipe Lidia makes is a savory apple and sausage stuffing, using apples from her own tree. She shows viewers how to season the sausage, and then how to mix it with breadcrumbs, sautéed onions and celery, and apples to make a flavorful stuffing. She puts the stuffing inside a turkey breast and then roasts it in the oven.

Next, Lidia makes a cherry crostata, using cherries from her cherry tree. She shows viewers how to make a simple crust from flour, butter, and sugar, and then how to pit and chop the cherries. She mixes the cherries with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch, and then adds the mixture to the crust. She bakes the crostata until it's golden brown and bubbly.

Lidia then moves on to a pear and blueberry tart, using pears from her pear tree and blueberries from her local farmer's market. She shows viewers how to make a pastry crust from scratch, and then how to slice the pears and mix them with blueberries and sugar. She pours the mixture into the crust and bakes the tart until it's golden brown and the fruit is tender.

Finally, Lidia makes a fig and ricotta tart, using fresh figs from her fig tree. She shows viewers how to make a simple ricotta filling, and then how to slice the figs and arrange them on top of the filling. She bakes the tart until it's golden brown and the ricotta is set.

Throughout the episode, Lidia shares tips and tricks for working with different fruits, such as how to tell when they're ripe and how to store them. She also talks about the different health benefits of the fruits she's using, such as how pears are high in fiber and antioxidants, and how figs are a good source of potassium and calcium.

Overall, "My Fruit Trees" is a fun and informative episode of Lidia's Kitchen that showcases the versatility of fruits and how they can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. With Lidia's expert advice, viewers are sure to be inspired to use the fruits in their own backyard, or to seek out locally grown produce at their own farmer's markets.