Every once in a while, it's fun to hunker down in the kitchen and spend the day making some classic recipes from scratch. In this episode, Giada De Laurentiis goes "old school," skipping the short cuts, to make Mixed Berry and Thyme Jam, Mascarpone and Lemon Gnocchi and Homemade Cinnamon-Raisin Bread the old fashioned way.
Giada De Laurentiis has come up with the perfect way to host a great party without breaking the bank. Since every great party ends in the kitchen, she starts there and invites friends over to make some of their favorite dishes together, including Caesar Salad Taco Bites, Pulled Pork Tacos, Cheater Churros and Strawberry Basil Aqua Fresca.
Giada De Laurentiis hosts a cocktail party and good old-fashioned talent show with her friends in the style of a creative salon. Guests bring their best creative hidden talents, whether it's singing, playing the guitar, magic or juggling. The menu includes Candied Prosciutto, Roasted Carrot Hummus, Crab Crostini with Lemon and Herbs and Calabrian Mojitos.
Giada De Laurentiis spends several days working at the restaurants of celebrated master Chef Fabio Picchi, where she shares her knowledge and, in turn, learns the art of Florentine cuisine. When she gets back to her apartment, she creates an Italian menu with a California spin, making dishes like Prosciutto Broth with Farro and Spinach and Branzino Puttanesca.
Before Milan, Florence was the center of fashion in Italy. There are fashion influences all over the city, and since Giada De Laurentiis herself is a fashion enthusiast, she hosts a cocktail party on a terrace near Florence's famed Duomo and creates a fashionable menu with Crab Arancini, Avocado White Bean Dip and Grappa Poached Pears with Speck.
Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned barbecue on the beach. Giada De Laurentiis and her weekend guests cook up a feast made almost entirely on the outdoor grill. The seasonal surf and turf menu features Grilled Plum Salad, Spicy Melon Salad, Grilled Skirt Steak with Smoky Herb Sauce and Grilled Halibut with Olive Bagna Cauda.
After a fun day on the beach, nothing hits the spot quite like a cool, breezy cocktail and lots of delicious bites. Giada De Laurentiis does summer sunset right with an Italian happy hour and appetizer spread. Her menu includes Spicy Sausage and Broccoli Panini, a Crab and Potato Frittata, Grape and Red Onion Mostarda and a Rose Spritz.
Giada De Laurentiis, her daughter, Jade, and a friend head out for an early morning paddleboarding session followed by a casual weekend brunch. They go from the beach to the kitchen to prepare a decadent spread that includes Berries with Spiced Cream, a Peach and Bacon Frittata, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Lemon Shakeratos for the adults.
Host Giada De Laurentiis and judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall and Christian Petroni have had their fair share of Thanksgiving dinner disasters, including a run-in with an overzealous dog.
Giada De Laurentiis prepares a dish traditional to the Italian island of Capri, pan-fried zucchini topped with Parmesan and an anchovy vinaigrette with tomatoes, capers, oregano and fresh lemon.