Serious Eats
Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition
With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable—and the inevitable episode repeats—it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region (especially PBS shows); check your local listings for exact hour and channels.
Saturday (May 22)
Donut Paradise: Homer Simpson would definitely take time out to watch this search for the best deep-fried goodies. Included: crullers, fritters, beignets, and bear claws. "Mmm...dooo-nuts." (repeat) 9 a.m. ET, Travel Channel
Spice & Easy: "Spice Gurus." Spice up sweet potato bisque with sage-and-savory croutons; and your vanilla ice cream with chocolate-mulled-wine sauce. 9:30 a.m. ET, Food Network
30-Minute-Meals: "Bowled Over." Rachael whips up a Thai-inspired meal, featuring curry-beef-noodle bowls and green melon with lime-lemon sorbet. 10 a.m. ET, Food Network
Secrets of a Restaurant Chef: "The Secret to a Healthy Children's Menu." Quell your kids' pleas for pizza and cookies by making them faux-junk food: healthy chicken fingers and a light, fluffy cake are on the menu. 10:30 a.m. ET, Food Network
Baking with Julia: Julia Child hosts cookbook author Nick Malgieri who prepares classic Sicilian recipes, including savory pizza; and fig-filled cookies. (repeat) 12 p.m. ET, PBS
Cooking for Real: "Feeding Your Friends." Feed your friends some down-home eats. Smoked turkey leg is prepared, along with green-bean salad, deviled eggs, and homemade granola. 12 p.m. ET, Food Network
Gordon Ramsay's F Word: A particularly PG-13 Ramsay episode: Ramsay discusses the effect of kitchen heat on sperm counts (hopefully not from experience); model Penny Lancaster discusses her marriage to Rod Stewart. 1 p.m. ET, BBC
Throwdown with Bobby Flay: "Puffy Tacos." Bobby Flay challenges Diana Trevino of San Antonio, who fights to defend her famed chicken puffy taco, a local specialty. (repeat) 7 p.m. ET, Food Network
Iron Chef America: "Cora vs. Smith." Don't feel like going out this Saturday night? Watch Oprah Winfrey's personal chef Art Smith challenge Cat Cora. (repeat) 10 p.m. ET, Food Network
Sunday (May 23)
Alex's Day Off: "En Papillote, A Steamed Fish Secret." Branzino en papillote is served with aioli sauce, a simple green bean salad, and apple crisp. Fresh, simple, delicious! 9:30 a.m. ET, Food Network
Barefoot Contessa: "Steak and Sides." Start your Sunday listening to Ina's soothing voice as she puts her own spin on steak-house classics. Included: filet mignon with Roquefort-and-chive sauce (she really loves that Roquefort!); cornmeal-fried onion rings. 10 a.m. ET, Food Network
Top Chef Masters: "Tailgating." Culinary masters cook up a challenging section of the animal to cook—the leg. Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak is a guest judge. (repeat) 12 p.m. ET, Bravo
Amazing Wedding Cakes: You don't have to be getting married to appreciate wedding cakes. A loyal customer requests a peacock-themed cake for her wedding; another couple wants a personalized cake incorporating their travel mementos. I wish that pastry chef luck! 4 p.m. ET, Wedding Channel
Private Chefs of Beverly Hills: "Into the Fryer." The chefs cater a wild bachelorette party, and one of them is asked to be part of the menu—whatever that may entail. (repeat) 5 p.m. ET, Food Network
Food Network Challenge: "Sex and the City Cakes." Get pumped for the upcoming movie and watch this $10,000 competition to create stylish cakes inspired by "Sex and the City 2." 8 p.m. ET, Food Network
Iron Chef America: "Symon vs. Fraser." Iron Chef repeats plague us all, but this is an all-new episode: Neal Fraser battles Michael Symon. 10 p.m. ET, Food Network
