Ep 13. A Chocolate House Warming

In Paula's Home Cooking Season 1 Episode 13, titled "A Chocolate House Warming," chef Paula Deen welcomes viewers into her home as she throws a housewarming party and shares some of her favorite chocolate recipes.

The episode begins with Paula showing off her new house and sharing stories about the move. She then gets started on the cooking, beginning with a decadent chocolate martini. As she mixes up the cocktail, she explains that the key to a good chocolate martini is using high-quality chocolate, like the Ghirardelli chocolate she uses in her recipe.

Next up is a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Paula shares her secrets for getting the perfect texture, including using both white and brown sugar and adding a touch of cornstarch to the batter to make them extra soft and chewy. She also adds in some chopped pecans for a little crunch and extra flavor.

As the party guests begin to arrive, Paula moves on to some more savory dishes. She shares her recipe for a cocoa-rubbed beef tenderloin that is sure to impress any meat lover. After marinating the tenderloin in a mixture of cocoa powder, espresso powder, and spices, she sears it on the stove and finishes it off in the oven for a perfectly cooked roast.

For a vegetable side dish, Paula prepares roasted Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of chocolate balsamic glaze. She explains that the glaze gives the sprouts a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the earthy flavor of the roasted vegetables.

Finally, it's time for dessert. Paula shows viewers how to make a stunning chocolate cake that is sure to be the centerpiece of any party. She begins by making a classic chocolate cake batter, then bakes it in three layers and stacks them together with a rich chocolate ganache in between. The cake is then frosted with a creamy chocolate buttercream and decorated with some simple chocolate curls and fresh berries.

Throughout the episode, Paula sprinkles in plenty of tips and tricks for working with chocolate, from melting it properly to avoiding graininess in chocolate sauces. Her warm and welcoming personality makes this episode feel like a true celebration, and viewers will come away with plenty of inspiration for their next chocolate-focused gathering.