Lidia's Kitchen

Today is all about feeding a large crowd, and Lidia cooks up recipes that all your guests will love, no matter whom you are hosting - Sausages and Apples, a flavorful one-pot meal that is great for family-style dining; Spaghetti with Roasted Garlic Pesto, a delicious and economical addition to any party; and finally, Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake, a chocolatey twist to the classic Italian ricotta cheesecake.

Italians love cheese, and back in the kitchen, Lidia shares her favorite cheesy appetizers - Baked Goat Cheese, Fava, and Artichoke Dip, baked to golden to perfection; and Baked Stuffed Vegetables, a recipe Lidia often makes when cooking for her family.

In today's episode, Lidia shows you how to brunch Italian-style. On the menu are Herb Frittata Roll-Ups, a wonderful appetizer to pass around at a cocktail party or for a buffet brunch; Pancetta with Fennel-Flavored Eggs and Apples, a delicious breakfast or brunch dish served with lots of crusty bread; and Potato and Egg Frico, a favorite breakfast dish in Lidia's family, in which potatoes and cheese are baked together.

Italians love entertaining and celebrating life with family, friends, and food. Today, Lidia shares recipes that fit any kind of party. She starts with Stewed Savory Peppers, a delicious antipasto, especially when served with lots of grilled or toasted bread. Next, she makes Pear Bellini, a fruity and bubbly cocktail guests can sip on while enjoying antipasti; and who doesn't love fried balls of rice? Lidia shows viewers how to make Rice Balls with Sausage Ragú.

Fish is a staple in Lidia's kitchen and she loves planning dinner parties based on seafood. Today's menu includes Swordfish Skewers with a Sweet and Sour Sauce, made with balsamic vinegar and bay leaves; and Stuffed Calamari with bread crumbs, hard-boiled eggs, grated cheese, white wine, and parsley.

Pasta is a staple in any Italian home and today, Lidia prepares three pasta recipes that will become staples in your kitchen. The first dish on the menu is a quick Ziti with Kale Pesto and Crispy Bacon, a delicious way to recycle any kale pesto leftovers in the fridge. She then makes a delicious summertime pasta made with plum tomatoes, Fusilli with Roasted Tomato Pesto, and finally Campanelle with Shrimp and Fennel, made with 'little bells' that carry the chunky sauce so well.

Comfort food is loved in America, and today, Lidia shares comfort foods Italians love to make. Beef and Potato Goulash, made with sweet Hungarian paprika, is a great recipe for family gatherings. Salads are a favorite of Lidia's, and Country Salad is a welcomed addition to any buffet table. She ends on a sweet note with a luscious Hazelnut Parfait.

Today is all about stress-free cooking for a holiday celebration or special occasion. Lidia makes Marinated Mushrooms that can be part of an antipasto spread or as a nibble with drinks. Vin Brulé, the Italian version of mulled wine, is a warm and welcoming drink to make for any holiday celebration. Last on the menu is Turkey Breast with Apricots, an easy and quick way to serve turkey without having to cook a whole turkey.

In this episode, Lidia shares some of her all-time favorites - Tomato and Onion Salad alla Calabrese, a great salad to make in the summer when tomatoes are sweet and ripe. Everyone loves meatballs, and Lidia shows viewers how to use leftovers in a Leftover Meatball Panini. Finally, Lidia stuffs Pizza Rolls with broccoli rabe and sausage and with ricotta and leeks.

Lidia loves entertaining and today, she shares recipes that are fit for any Italian dinner party. Bruschetta is a great party appetizer, and Lidia shares one of her favorite toppings: Cannellini and Pancetta Bruschetta. Next on the menu is Beef and Root Vegetables Braised in Red Wine, a hearty-one pot meal your guests will love.

Soups are a delicious and comforting way to warm up especially in the winter months. On the menu today is Spicy Italian Soup, Calabria's version of vegetable soup; The Perfect Simple Salad, a simple and light side that works for any kind of soup; and an easy-to-make Butternut Squash Soup, garnished with crispy crumbled bacon.

Fried foods are not eaten often in Italy, but Lidia shares some recipes no one can resist. She makes Crispy Shrimp, a huge hit in her house that is sure to become a favorite in yours too; Crispy Baked Tomatoes, plum tomatoes topped with bread crumbs and baked in the oven until crispy; and finally, Polenta Torta with Gorgonzola and Savoy Cabbage, an ideal main course for a hungry crowd.

Lidia loves cooking for her family and today, she shares some of her favorite recipes to make for her grandkids, including a refreshing and kid-friendly Cherry Almond Spritzer; a simple dessert of Grilled Fruit, which brings out the fruit's natural sweetness; and Pasta Salad with Green Beans, Tomatoes and Mozzarella, a great dish for buffets, picnics, and large family gatherings.

Olive oil is an essential staple in every Italian home. It's the easiest way to add flavor to any soup, and Lidia shows you how when making Cannellini Bean and Lentil Soup. Olive oil is also used in desserts, and she makes Olive Oil Cake.

Spices impart a lot of flavor to a recipe, and today Lidia shows viewers how to use different spices. First on the menu is Mussels with Fennel and Saffron, an elegant and luxurious way to serve mussels. Lidia loves peperoncino in almost any dish, especially when making Spicy Stuffed Clams. And finally, Lidia makes Chicken and Zucchini Salad with Horseradish Dressing.

Roasting enhances the flavor of any kind of meat and Lidia often makes a roast for family meals. Today's menu includes a Salad of Warm Greens with Bacon and Mushrooms; an easy and elegant Roasted Pork Loin with Cabbage and Dried Cherry Sauce; and Roasted Pear, Blueberry and Grape Compote for dessert.

Calabria is famous for its fiery salami spread, 'Nduja. It is delicious on warm grilled bread, and Lidia shows viewers how to make a Bruschetta with 'Nduja; she then makes Raw and Cooked Salad for Summer with green beans and tomatoes, a wonderful way to enjoy seasonal vegetables.

Today is all about rice, and Lidia teaches viewers how to master the technique of making risotto. She starts with an Italian classic, Risotto with Mushrooms; next is Red Onions Stuffed with Rice. No food should be wasted, and Lidia shows viewers how to use risotto leftovers by making Fried Risotto.

In today's episode, Lidia shares some of her favorite chocolate desserts and one deliciously creamy risotto recipe. First, she makes a Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Parfait, a special treat she had growing up. Lidia then makes a soft and creamy spoon dessert, Chocolate Zabaglione. Lastly, she prepares a rich and smooth Risotto with Artichokes, Sunchokes, and Mint.

Fish is a staple on Lidia's table and today, Lidia shares a simple menu for a party based around fish. In the summertime, she likes to turn on the grill and make Shrimp Spiedini with Zucchini with Tomato Salsa. She serves them with Seared Salmon Paillards with Arugula Salad; and finally, Cody Hogan from Lidia's Kansas City joins Lidia in the kitchen and they make Monkfish Meatballs served in tomato sauce.

Lidia loves bringing people together in her kitchen, and she shares two recipes that are wonderful for a buffet-style meal, her favorite way of entertaining guests. She starts with a quick and easy Lemony Shrimp over Zucchini with a sauce of garlic, butter, white wine, lemon, bread crumbs and parsley. Next on the menu is one of Lidia's favorite soups, Clam Soup, served with plenty of grilled bread on the side.

With the oven on, Lidia creates sweet and savory dishes her viewers can easily make at home. Gratins are delicious, and she starts with a Leek and Prosciutto Gratin made with Gruyère and walnuts; next is Roasted Chicken with Pomegranate, marvelously moist inside and with a crispy, caramelized exterior. While the oven is still on, she bakes crumbly and chewy Raspberry and Walnut Butter Cookies for dessert.

Summer is the time of year when some of Lidia's favorite vegetables and fruits are at their best. Today, she shares some recipes that she loves making at home when entertaining, including Corn and Zucchini Minestra; Shrimp and Mixed Bean Salad, a salad that is always part of the buffet table in Lidia's home; and lastly, Polenta with Honey and Berries, a recipe Lidia has loved since she was a little girl.

In this episode, Lidia shares recipes that are quick to whip up and ideal for days when you don't have much time to cook. She starts off by making Green Beans with Mint Pesto, a fresh alternative to the well-known green beans with butter. For a sweet treat, Lidia makes Chunky Cherry Bread Pudding, one of her favorite ways to recycle day-old bread. Next on the menu is Maremma-Style Steak, an impressive steak that anyone can make at home.

When hosting an Italian-style cocktail party, all you need is some drinks, a nice selection of appetizers, and you're set! Back in the kitchen, Lidia creates a menu for the perfect cocktail party. She makes Mussels with Zucchini Salsa Verde, a small appetizer guests can slurp down while sipping on a cocktail. She then makes Bloody Mary, a classic cocktail everyone loves. Corn and apricots work wonderfully together, and Lidia ends with making Grilled Corn, Apricots, and Portobellos.