Ep 1. Weeknight Italian

In Season 4 Episode 1 of Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, viewers are treated to an episode dedicated to the flavors of Italy for weeknight dinners. The episode is appropriately titled "Weeknight Italian" and features a variety of easy-to-make recipes that don't skimp on taste.

The first recipe highlighted in this episode is a classic pasta dish called Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. Milk Street's version of this dish replaces heavy cream with a combination of pasta water and Pecorino Romano cheese, making it a lighter option without sacrificing flavor. Christopher Kimball also shares a few techniques for achieving the perfect sauce texture, such as whipping the pasta water and cheese together until frothy before adding to the cooked pasta.

Next up is a quick and simple recipe for Garlic-Rubbed Steak, which showcases the beauty of a perfectly cooked, well-seasoned piece of meat. The steak is cooked on a cast iron skillet with nothing more than garlic, salt, and pepper for seasoning. Milk Street recommends using a cheaper cut of meat, like skirt or flank steak, to keep the cost down without sacrificing flavor.

For a vegetarian option, Christopher Kimball prepares Ribollita, a hearty Tuscan soup made with cannellini beans, kale, and day-old bread. The soup is a great way to use up any leftover bread and is perfect for a cozy night in. The recipe includes a few tips for achieving a creamy texture without adding cream, such as pureeing part of the soup mixture and then adding it back in.

The final recipe in this episode is a decadent dessert called Panna Cotta with Raspberry Sauce. Panna Cotta is a creamy Italian dessert made with milk, cream, and sugar, which is then set with gelatin. Milk Street's version of this dessert includes a raspberry sauce made with frozen raspberries, lemon juice, and sugar. The dessert is easy to assemble and a great option for entertaining, as it can be made a day in advance.

Throughout the episode, Christopher Kimball shares his love for the simplicity of Italian cuisine and the key ingredients that make it so tasty. He emphasizes the importance of using high-quality ingredients, like good olive oil and fresh herbs, to really bring out the flavors in each dish.

Overall, "Weeknight Italian" is a fantastic episode for anyone looking to add some Italian-inspired dishes to their weeknight dinner rotation. The recipes are easy to follow, don't require a lot of prep time, and deliver delicious results.