Ep 2. Reinventing Fall Foods

Valerie's Home Cooking is a show where actress Valerie Bertinelli shares her passion for home-cooked meals. In season 10 episode 2, titled "Reinventing Fall Foods," Valerie is excited to embrace the flavors of the season with a twist.

Valerie begins the episode by sharing her love for fall and how it is a perfect time to experiment with traditional recipes and transform them into something new. She heads to a local farmers' market to pick up some fresh produce to use in her fall-inspired dishes.

First up on the menu is a twist on the classic pumpkin pie. Valerie shows viewers how to make a pumpkin pie with a gingersnap crust and a dollop of whipped cream infused with maple syrup. She also adds some roasted and salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for a crunchy texture.

Next, Valerie reinvents the traditional apple cider by adding bourbon and freshly grated nutmeg to make a warm, cozy cocktail perfect for chilly fall evenings. She tops it off with a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple.

For the main course, Valerie prepares a roasted butternut squash soup with a twist. She uses coconut milk and red curry paste to give the soup a Thai-inspired flavor. She also serves it with a side of crispy bacon and a garnish of chopped cilantro.

Valerie's next dish is a reinvention of the classic green bean casserole. She shows viewers how to make a green bean casserole with a cheese and herb crumb topping. She also substitutes the traditional canned cream of mushroom soup for a homemade mushroom cream sauce.

For dessert, Valerie makes a decadent chocolate cake with a pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting. She uses cocoa powder and espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor, and adds freshly grated nutmeg and pumpkin spice to the cream cheese frosting.

Throughout the episode, Valerie emphasizes the importance of using fresh, seasonal ingredients and encourages viewers to play around with traditional recipes and add their own personal touch.

Overall, "Reinventing Fall Foods" is a fun and delicious episode that embodies the spirit of the season. Viewers are sure to be inspired to try out Valerie's creative twists on classic fall dishes in their own kitchens.