Ep 10. Small Bites

In Martha Stewart's Cooking School season 5 episode 10, titled Small Bites, viewers are taken on a journey to explore the art of preparing bite-sized delights. Martha Stewart, America's favorite homemaker, introduces her viewers to her favorite small bite dishes from different cultures to get them excited about adding more variety to their appetizer menus.

The episode starts with Martha explaining the importance of small bites in today's world, especially when entertaining guests at home. Small bites are an excellent way to introduce flavors and textures, and they allow guests to try a wide range of dishes without feeling overwhelmed. With that in mind, Martha then takes viewers through a range of recipes, including arancini, scallop and bacon skewers, tuna tartare, chicken liver paté, and summer rolls.

Firstly, Martha demonstrates how to make Italian delicacy arancini - small, crispy balls of risotto stuffed with cheese and peas. She explains every step in detail, from cooking the risotto to frying the arancini balls until golden brown. According to her, these arancini balls are perfect as an appetizer or snack and taste delicious dipped in marinara or pomodoro sauce.

Next up, Martha shows how to prepare scallop and bacon skewers, which she describes as a fast, easy, and elegant appetizer that requires minimal ingredients. She explains how to cook the scallops until they are browned and tender, wrap them in bacon, and then thread them onto a skewer with cherry tomatoes, resulting in a mouth-watering appetizer that is sure to impress guests.

After the seafood-heavy start, Martha turns to a light and fresh dish with her tuna tartare recipe. Martha emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients with this dish, which includes avocado, mango, jalapeño, and fresh lime juice, along with raw tuna. Viewers learn how to expertly chop the tuna and combine it with the other ingredients, forming delicate and delicious bite-sized servings perfect for cocktail hour or a dinner party.

For those seeking richer flavors, Martha introduces her recipe for a decadent chicken liver pâté. She explains how to prepare the chicken livers and cook them with shallots and garlic to create a silky smooth texture. The pâté is then seasoned with thyme, red wine, and cognac before being served on baguette slices, guaranteeing an indulgent treat for guests.

Finally, Martha showcases how to make summer rolls, a light and refreshing option perfect for the warmer months. She prepares the summery dish using rice paper wrappers, that are then filled with fresh veggies, proteins, and herbs like grilled shrimp, mint, cilantro, carrots, and cucumbers. The dipping sauce for summer rolls is a combination of hot, sweet, salty, and sour flavors that enhances this light, flavorful dish.

Throughout the show, Martha provides valuable tips and techniques to ensure that each dish is prepared to perfection. From how to correctly cook the scallops to the right knife skills required for finely dicing onions and herbs, Martha shares her knowledge with warmth, accuracy, and a lot of humor.

Overall, Martha Stewart's Cooking School season 5 episode 10, Small Bites, is an excellent addition to the show's repertoire. The wide range of recipes presented in this episode ensures that viewers will be inspired to try something new and flavor-intensive in their next get-together, while Martha's instructional style offers them the perfect guide to do so.