Lidia's Kitchen

Lidia cooks up two Italian American favorites today in her kitchen- Lasagna with Ricotta and Fresh Mozzarella, baked to golden perfectionand Eggplant Parmigiana Stacks, pan fried and made with fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella. To round out the menu, she'll share a Perfect Simple Salad, traditionally eaten at the end of the meal in her Italian kitchen.

Fish is a staple on Lidia's table all year long, and she loves to plan a dinner that showcases the best and freshest of seafood. The menu is diverse today, as she prepares Mussels with Fennel and Saffron, a fun and elegant dish that is served with grilled bread; Cucumber Salad, a refreshing salad dressed with sweet honey, tangy vinegar and crunchy celery; and finally Baked Striped Bass with Lemon Sauce - made with cheese flavored breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection. Her grandson, Lorenzo, joins as her guest in the kitchen.

Everyone loves pasta, and today Lidia shows you the fun and economical way to make all your friends and family happy at the dinner table with a pasta party. On the menu is Spaghetti with Anchovies and Breadcrumbs, a delicious Southern Italian favorite; a Pasta Chinja - a heart-warming Baked Pasta with Tomato Sauce, Meatballs and Egg. Finally, Lidia will share her Fusilli with Roasted Tomato Pesto - a complex bowl of pasta that will become a staple in your house.

Casseroles have a place in everyone's heart and home. Today Lidia shares a delicious and hearty Italian style version of Layered Casserole of Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes topped with fontina cheese - a one pot meal fit to feed any hungry crowd. Lidia then stews apples and dried fruit in her Spiced Fruit Compote and adds spices like clove and cinnamon - a heartwarming tea; Lastly, she is joined by Grandma for her Coffee Panna Cotta, an easy make-ahead dessert flavored with coffee and Sambuca.

Lidia loves earthy, delicious mushrooms and today shares some of her favorite mushroom recipes that she has prepared over the years. She'll start with a Warm Mushroom Salad, a medley of warm wild mushrooms on a bed of frisee' topped with crispy pancetta and a poached egg. She'll also make Funghi Marinati, marinated button mushrooms in a flavorful mix of rosemary, orange and garlic; Her last dish is a hearty, flavorful and vegetarian Chestnut and Mushroom Ragu.

Soups are a part of any Italian celebration, and Americans love pairing them with a salad and sandwich. Today, Lidia will combine the best of both with a unique Italian style menu of soup, salad and bruschetta. The menu includes Spicy Italian Style Vegetable Soup, Bruschetta with Ndjua - a crunchy country bread topped with a spicy sausage and a simple and delicious Skillet Peppers and Potatoes.

When a holiday or special occasion goes around, it's time to go above and beyond with an extra special feast. Today, Lidia shares some of her best recipes to do just that. Her Wedding Soup is a classic Italian dish that marries the vegetables and meatballs in a delicious pot of soup; Prosecco Punch, made with raspberries and nectarines is a real crowd pleaser, and finally you can't go wrong with a beautiful Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Carrots and Parsnips, a rich and flavorful one pot meal.

Lidia loves a good roast. It brings out unimaginable flavors, and the aromas from the kitchen will beckon your family to the table. Today's menu includes Red Onions Stuffed with Rice; a Roast Pork Shoulder with Roast Vegetable Sauce, and a brown sugar, bourbon and warm Baked Pineapple served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. She'll also show you how to prepare an easy dessert spread with seasonal fruits and a few store-bought sweet Italian specialties.

Simple recipes are a must for weeknight dinners, and Lidia always looks for those that that deliver a burst of flavor. In this episode, she will share some of her favorite quick weeknight dinner ideas. She starts with a Sausage Crostini, made of sweet Italian sausage topped with Taleggio cheese. She then prepares a Penne Rigate in Vodka Sauce; an iconic creamy Italian American pasta dish and then Arugula Salad with Porcini Mushroom & Shavings of Cheese.

Entertaining comes in many forms, and today Lidia creates a menu that is perfect for an intimate gathering of friends and family. This simply elegant dinner menu includes Swordfish alla Bagnara, a delicately steamed swordfish made with an aromatic mix of lemon, capers and garlic - a traditional dish from the Calabrian town of Bagnara. She'll then do a spicy Bloody Mary, followed by a classic Lagane e Ceci - ribbons of fresh pasta made with chickpeas and pepperoncino.

Lidia says that the key to a great party is always the food, and in this episode she features some of her best party recipes from over the years. Bruschetta is always a great snack to pass around, and the combinations are endless. Her Fig & Prosciutto Bruschetta is a unique and delicious party item that she includes at almost any gathering. She'll also prepare a colorful Marinated Winter Squash that is a favorite at her home parties. For a little fun, she'll also cook up her famous Prosciutto Purses tied with chives. Italian parties are always known for their great array of vegetables, and a serving of Pickled Carrots goes a long way.

When it's cold outside, Lidia's kitchen kicks into high gear. The oven is on and the stovetop is always lit. On today's menu, she'll prepare her Turkey Meatloaf with Mushroom Sauce - a real family favorite that is smothered in mushroom sauce. Vin Brulee is a mulled wine infused with warm spices; it's the perfect choice to warm up on a cold night. Barley, Kale and Butternut Squash Risotto, is a colorful, delicious risotto dish that uses barley instead of rice, adding a nutty earthiness that will leave your guests begging for more.

Whether it's American football or Italian soccer, game day parties are always popular. Lidia believes that there is nothing like a bountiful spread of food that will fuel the guests and get them cheering. On today's menu, she serves Fried Mozzarella Sandwich Skewers; Carrot and Chickpea Dip and Pizza Rolls - made with both broccoli rabe and sausage AND ricotta and leeks.

Lidia makes pizza the centerpiece for your next party. With a variety of toppings, a salad and dessert, you are ready to go. ON the menu is a classic Caesar Salad with Baby Kale and Focaccia Croutons; individual Pizzette with toppings like onion and cheese; chicken and mushroom; pear and gorgonzola and tomato & pecorino. While you have the dough, why not try a Dessert Pizza, topped with jams, Nutella, chocolate and fruit.

In this episode, it's all about some of Italy's most popular staples. Lidia will share three of her all-time favorites including a Chicken Parmigiana Light - a version of the famous Chicken Parmigiana - made with a chicken thigh topped with fresh tomato and mozzarella and nestled in a bed of tomato sauce. Her Beef and Arugula Bruschetta is a perfect and quick starter to the meal. Finally, Broccoli Rabe and Sausage is a match made in heaven; it is a dish that is so simple and always hits the spot.

Meatballs are an all-time favorite, and Lidia creates some new versions to add to your meatball repertoire and make those parties memorable. On the menu today, she shares: Lamb Meatballs with Lemon Sauce; Leftover Meatball Panini, Monkfish Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, a crispy fried monkfish meatball made in a tomato sauce that includes raisins and pine nuts.

In today's episode, Lidia shares three of her favorite desserts: one spoon dessert, one seasonal fruit based dessert and of course a baked sweet to warm up the kitchen. Her Limoncello Tiramisu is a sweet pick-me-up made with delicious limoncello zabaglione. Fruit is a natural as an Italian sweet to end a meal, and she loves to simply serve Grilled Fruit to magnify their natural sweetness. A favorite Italian cookie is the Chocolate Anise Biscotti, made with a shot of espresso. Her granddaughter Julia will join Lidia in this episode.

Slow cooking does take a little time, but it is so rewarding! Today Lidia shares some classic techniques that will make show-stopping dishes for any occasion. Lidia prepares an elegant Risotto with Mushrooms, finished with parsley, cheese and butter. She'll then prepare a luscious Ziti with Pork Rib Guazzetto. Lidia then shows you how breathe new life into your risotto leftovers by breading it and frying it to make a delicious snack or serve it over a salad for a complete meal. Grandma will join to taste those delicious little nuggets!

Today, Lidia creates the ultimate heartwarming dinner table filled with dishes that deliver flavor, comfort and love in every bite. She starts with a soothing Rice and Lentil Soup topped with cheese and olive oil; Roasted Olives with Orange and Rosemary are an exciting accompaniment to any meal and Ricotta Meatloaf, a family favorite packed with cheese and topped with fresh tomato sauce and even more cheese, is the star of the show.

Italians love their seasons, and they know how to make delicious soups, salads and pastas with fall and winter vegetables. In this episode, Lidia shares some winter garden menu ideas including a spicy Escarole and White Bean Soup, a unique and delicious Spaghetti with Fennel and Bitter Greens and a Cabbage Salad made with warm bacon dressing.

It's all about the grill today since Italians love a 'grigliata mista' or Italian grilled platters of meats, seafood and vegetables. Today, Lidia shares a menu that your guests will love as well. On the menu is Grilled Calamari Salad with Tomato Coulis; Grilled Apple and Radicchio Salad with Gorgonzola and a flavorful Tuscan Maremma Style Steak.

Tomatoes make the perfect canvas for any recipe, and in today's episode, Lidia shares three of her favorite dishes featuring this juicy, delicious staple of Italian cuisine. Her menu includes Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce, served over easy on top of a crunchy slice of grilled country bread; Stuffed Tomatoes, filled with a classic combination of rice, mozzarella and basil. Lidia's Chilled Tomato Soup is a perfect summertime dish prepared with a complex addition of basil, orange and yogurt - a bright, refreshing dish!

Today Lidia shares some new show-stopping dishes for the perfect family style brunch that include Crostata with Kale Butternut Squash and Ricotta - made of a flaky dough filled with a creamy colorful mix of ricotta, kale, butternut squash and golden raisins. Carrot and Orange Salad is the next item on the menu: a bright dish that adds color to any meal. Lidia's Potato and Egg Frico - a crispy Asiago cheese crust made with potatoes and eggs is always a winner at the brunch table. There is always room at the family brunch table for a Bellini bar, so Lidia will share her ideas for that as well.

Summertime is dinner party season, and Lidia loves to serve family style meals. Today, she'll create a summer menu fit for any celebration. The menu includes grilled skewers of Shrimp Spiedini with Zucchini and Tomato Salsa, steamed summery Green Beans with Mint Pesto and Berry Tiramisu - Lidia's summer berry twist one of the most famous Italian desserts!

Italians love a good picnic, and Lidia shares some of her favorite picnic foods from her childhood. The menu includes Herb Frittata Rollups, a must-have finger food rolled up with a layer of flavor packed pesto. Lidia's Pasta Salad with Tomato, Mozzarella and Green Beans is a hearty pasta salad that is perfect for any picnic. Her Blueberry and Ricotta Parfait is made with homemade ricotta, blueberry sauce, candied almonds and cake.