Synopsis
Giada De Laurentiis lets her hair down as she demonstrates her love for cooking and entertaining California-style in this disarmingly laid-back show that allows De Laurentiis to venture far afield from her usual Italian culinary fare.
Episodes
1E1Rock the BlockIn the series opener, Giada De Laurentiis creates fresh, simple dishes for a neighborhood block party. On the menu: chicken and shrimp with pancetta chimichurri; orecchiette with greens; garbanzo beans and ricotta salata; blueberry-and-mascarpone turnovers.30m2E2Tricks or TreatsHomemade Halloween treats are made, including spice cake and chocolate-dipped nougat with dried apricots.30m3E3Remembering RomeAn Italian meal features vegetable fritto misto with lemon mayonnaise and bucatini all'amatriciana with spicy mozzarella meatballs.30m4E4Garden PartyOn the menu: red snapper with fava-bean puree; fried cheese-stuffed zucchini blossoms; mini pineapple cakes.30m5E5A Family ThanksgivingLos Angeles-inspired Thanksgiving dishes. Included: spiced turkey breast; poached pears in honey, ginger and cinnamon syrup; sweet-and-savory bread pudding.30m6E6Art HouseGiada prepares a colorful menu for an art show she's hosting at her house.30m7E7California BBQMini Italian pub burgers, beer-battered apple and onion rings, and spicy chocolate milkshakes are made.30m8E8Lobster BakeGiada De Laurentiis plans a traditional lobster bake on the beach. The menu includes lobster tails with clarified butter, corn-and-black-bean salad with basil-lime vinaigrette, and spiked watermelon pops.30m9E9Secret SantaItalian dishes are made for a holiday get-together. Included: penne with shrimp and herbed cream sauce; Gorgonzola-stuffed portobello mushrooms; cranberry-cornmeal cake topped with caramel-walnut sauce.30m10E10Breakfast for DinnerThe host serves eggs for dinner. Also: Lamill Coffee in Los Angeles is visited.30m11E11Recipe SharingGiada hosts a recipe swap. Included: a fig-and-almond tart.30m12E12Day of IndulgenceThe host puts a healthful spin on indulgent foods for a relaxing spa party.30m13E13California Light & HealthyA healthful menu featuring grilled chicken and avocado Napoleons, citrus salad and angel-food cake with lemon-honey-yogurt sauce.30m14E14Moroccan MagicA Moroccan-themed gathering, featuring honey-balsamic lamb chops, couscous cakes, and hibiscus tea with vodka and citrus.30m15E15California SushiThe host throws a sushi-making party. Included: vegetable rolls with chili mayonnaise; salmon hand rolls.30m16E16Polo BrunchGiada prepares a picnic brunch to take to a polo match. The menu includes "Champagne Sangria", "Crispy Parmesan Biscuits" and "Espresso Chip Meringues".30m17E17Table for TwoGiada and her husband Todd share a romantic evening while daughter Jade stays with a sitter. The recipes shared are "Roasted Citrus-Herb Game Hen", "Crouton Salad" and "Olive and Sun-Dried Tomato Vegetables".30m18E18We'll Always Have ParisThe host plans a meal inspired by Paris. On the menu: steak-and-cheese croissant sandwiches; mushroom-and-parsley salad; raspberry-rose pots de crème.30m19E19Food and FashionGiada creates a stylish, eclectic menu for a trunk show she's hosting at her home. Included: shrimp spring rolls with cucumber-yogurt dip; beef pops with pineapple-parsley sauce; blended cherry mojitos.30m20E20Bridal ShowerGiada prepares a menu for a bridal shower. Included: open-faced tuna sandwiches; hummus; coffee-glazed Italian donuts.30m21E21Happy TrailsThe host packs an eco-friendly picnic to take along on a hike. Included: cranberry-nut granola; grilled vegetable, herb and goat cheese sandwiches; chocolate-raspberry bars.30m22E22Picnic in the ParkGiada De Laurentiis puts her spin on typical picnic fare. Included: deviled eggs with crab; caponata paninis; a chocolate-honey-almond tart.30m23E23Spring FlingLight springtime dishes are featured.30m24E24Lazy Day LunchA simple lunch menu is featured.30m25E25Cocktails With CouplesAppetizers are made, including spiced cocktail nuts; crispy zucchini-and-potato pancakes; cheese-stuffed dates and prosciutto; and blueberry-limoncello coolers.30m26E26Pasta PartyA pasta buffet is featured.30m27E27Small BitesFinger foods are featured, including stuffed baby peppers; tomato-basil tartlets; apricot-and-walnut phyllo cups; and whole-wheat pita chips with mascarpone-chive dipping sauce.30m28E28Mother's Day BrunchA Mother's Day brunch menu, featuring baked French toast with blueberries, steak involtini (meat parcels) and frozen banana-ice-cream sandwiches.30m29E29Food and FunZucchini-olive flatbread, cauliflower-and-bacon gratin, and mascarpone-chocolate toffee bars are made.30m30E30Many ThanksThe host serves brown-butter risotto with lobster, salmon-and-apple carpaccio, and cinnamon twists with cardamom-honey dipping sauce at a luncheon.30m31E31Last Minute MenuIsraeli coucous with apples, cranberries and herbs; chicken burgers with garlic-rosemary mayo; and toasted pound cake with citrus cream.30m32E32Around the WorldTrinidadian chicken stew, citrus-rice salad and mango-and-lime lassi complete an internationally inspired meal.30m33E33Father's Day PartyA Father's Day menu, featuring paninis with mozzarella, raspberries and brown sugar; egg salad with Gorgonzola and pancetta; and sweet-apple iced tea.30m34E34Record ReleaseOn the menu: penne with braised short ribs; bibb salad with Parmesan-butter crostini; apple-cider shandy.30m35E35More Cheese PleaseThe host visits the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills before preparing turkey meat loaf with feta and sun-dried tomatoes; cheesy baked farro; and crostata with apples, walnuts and Gorgonzola.30m36E36Beach VolleyballA portable menu, featuring thyme-pasta frittatas, crunchy slaw and cupcakes with chocolate chips and walnuts.30m37E37Road Trip PicnicPenne with Treviso and goat cheese, chicken-and-arugula pita pockets, and raspberry-vanilla smoothies are packed for a picnic.30m38E38Surfs UpWhite-bean-and-chicken chili, paired with cheddar-scallion bread and limoncello granitas.30m39E39Welcome HomeTurkey Milanese with bacon-and-pancetta potatoes and roasted-apple pie are made.30m40E40Busy Day MenuOn the menu: Asian chicken salad; ricotta parfaits; ravioli with arugula, tomatoes and pancetta.30m41E41Sweet TreatsDesserts, including pomegranate-mint sorbet; strawberry-rosemary scones; and chocolate-hazelnut-dipped fruit.30m42E42Dig in for a CauseGiada makes a picnic lunch to take with on her day volunteering in a community garden for OXFAM, a charity to combat world hunger. The portable foods prepared are "Smoked Salmon BLT", "Pecorino and Bean Salad" and "Ginger-Tea Lemonade".30m43E43Special DeliveryHealthful freezable meals are made. Included: an egg-white frittata with lox and arugula; chicken Milanese with tomato-and-fennel sauce; mini pancakes with raspberry sorbet and chocolate sauce.30m44E44MakeoverGiada whips up a family-style meal for a makeover party with her girlfriends. On the menu: artichoke-and-bean crostinis; vegetable Parmesan; melon-and-mint slush.30m45E45More for LessMoney-saving meals are featured. Included: lemon chicken soup with spaghetti; pea-pesto crostini; lemon-mint cake with lemon syrup.30m46E46Giada's Kidz KitchenGiada spends an afternoon teaching kids how to cook a simple meal at a local cooking school.30m
Cast
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