Lidia's Kitchen

The fig tree at Lidia’s current home reminds her of her time growing up in Istria, where they would grow fruit trees. This brings back memories of eating the sweet fruits grown on the trees and playing amongst them. Recipes in this episode include a Roasted Pork Loin with Dried Cherry Sauce and an elegant Fennel and Asian Pear Salad that bursts with flavor.

Lidia’s first home economics class as a teenager in New York confirmed her passion for food. Lidia starts off with Lasagna with Ricotta and Mozzarella followed by a flavorful Escarole Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes, then finishes with Baked Stuffed Vegetables.

As a young girl, from a small, rural setting, the majestic skyscrapers of Manhattan were quite the sight for Lidia. As a young teenager, Lidia was in charge of most dinners since her parents were returning home late in the evening, and soups were a popular choice to feed the family. In this episode, Lidia prepares a filling meal of Potato and Pasta Soup and Polenta with Honey and Berries.

After the introduction of the southern Italian classics to American cuisine, the flavors of northern Italy began to arrive as well. Lidia takes us through a Layered Casserole with Beef, Cabbage, and Potatoes, her Herbed Frittata Rollup with Prosciutto Cotto, followed by a family classic-Cavatappi with Beef Guazzetto.

Winter always proved to be a tough time for the garden, but this only made cold weather crops more valuable on Lidia's family table. Recipes in this episode include a delicious Orecchiette with Breadcrumbs, Pancetta, and Cauliflower, and a unique and flavorful Cabbage Salad topped with a warm dressing.

Lidia attended school near the beautiful city of Trieste before coming to America and picked up many essential kitchen skills from the nuns who ran it. Inspired by the soups she had for school lunches, she prepares a Cannellini Bean and Lentil Soup, as well as a one pot meal of Sausages and Apples that can feed a hungry family.

Lidia talks about the harvest of wheat, and the making of fllour and eventually bread and pasta. She fondly reflects on her moments with Grandma Rosa during her trips to the mill. Lidia turns leftover bread into croutons with her Caesar salad with Baby Kale and Focaccia Croutons. She then prepares a flavor-packed Fusilli with Spinach and Herbed Ricotta, and Lagane Pasta with Chickpeas.

The city of Trieste always filled Lidia with excitement, even though she had to flee there to avoid the communist regime in her hometown of Pula. She and her family stayed with her Zia Nina, whose influence on Lidia’s cooking is still seen in her recipes today. Recipes include Mussels Triestina, Orange & Raspberry Spritz, and a Coffee Panna Cotta made with a light, sweetened cream.

As a child, Lidia’s courtyard was home to several animals. She spent a lot of time with chickens, as she would tend to them and gather their eggs. In this episode, Lidia recollects those fond memories and creates a medley of vegetables, salumi, cheese and hard boiled eggs for her Chopped Salad with Frisee and Fennel. She also prepares a Chicken Cacciatore as well as a Potato and Egg Frico.

Lidia prepares Linguine with Clams and Broccoli. She then shows three southern Italian styles of topping her Bruschetta Three Ways- using Mackerel and Burrata, Anchovy and Butter, as well as Broccolini di Rape and Burrata. Her Mussels with Farro, Canellini, and Chickpeas is a hearty, stew-like mixture.

Lidia reminisces about her childhood chores, which included milking the goats and helping her grandmother prepare ricotta and other cheeses. In this episode, she will celebrate the culture of cheese and prepare the following recipes: Crostini Two Ways, using Tomato and Ricotta plus Kale and Fontina. Her next recipe is a hearty and cheesy dish of Potatoes Stuffed with Sausage and Mushrooms.

The tradition of kneading dough has always been around in Lidia’s family. She recalls kneading with her grandmother as a small child and continues to do it with her own grandchildren today. In this episode, she prepares a buttery, flaky Crostata with Kale, Butternut Squash and Ricotta, a delicious Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Panzanella and finally Pappardelle with Mixed Fresh Mushrooms.