Ep 7. Trieste's International Flavors

Lidia's Kitchen season 8 episode 7, "Trieste's International Flavors", takes viewers on a culinary journey through the city of Trieste, a melting pot of cultures and flavors located in northeastern Italy. Host Lidia Bastianich explores the city's history and unique blend of influences from Austria, Hungary, and the Mediterranean, all of which have contributed to its vibrant food scene.

The episode begins with Lidia visiting an open-air market to gather ingredients for her recipes, including fresh seafood and produce like tomatoes and artichokes. She then heads to a local bakery, where she samples traditional pastries like strudel and plum cake, before returning to her kitchen to start cooking.

Lidia prepares several dishes inspired by Trieste's diverse culinary traditions, starting with a classic Austrian dish of veal schnitzel with potato salad. She also makes a creamy risotto with shrimp and tomatoes, a nod to the city's seafood culture, and a hearty Hungarian goulash with tender chunks of beef and paprika.

Continuing the theme of international flavors, Lidia also creates a couple of vegetable-based dishes. She roasts artichokes with garlic and lemon in a recipe adapted from a Mediterranean preparation, and prepares a savory polenta dish with porcini mushrooms and parmesan cheese, popular in the surrounding regions of Friuli and Veneto.

As she cooks, Lidia shares interesting facts about the history and culture of Trieste, which has a rich past as a major port and trading center. She explains how the city's location on the Adriatic Sea has influenced the cuisine, and shows how the different cultural influences have blended together over time to create unique flavor combinations.

The episode ends with Lidia sitting down to enjoy her feast with friends and family, savoring the delicious flavors and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Trieste. Viewers are sure to be inspired by the vibrant and diverse dishes showcased in this episode, and learn something new about the regional cuisine of northeastern Italy.