Valerie's Home Cooking

In Season 12, Episode 11 (not shown on the episode list on IMDb) she keeps talking about "The Mediterranean" - going to the Mediterranean, eating Mediterranean food, blah blah blah...

But what she means is GREEK, ITALIAN, maybe some FRENCH food.

I live in a Mediterranean country (Israel), but she doesn't seem to know that there are a LOT of counties on the Mediterranean Sea - ALL of North Africa, for instance, as well as Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar... and all the islands around as well. EACH has it's own distinctive cuisine, but ALL are Mediterranean countries.

I love cooking shows from around the world, but please - let's not pretend that ONLY Greece, Italy and France are on "The Mediterranean!

Streaming the series allows one to notice and appreciate the changes in style to the food, Valerie's comfortable but always stylish wardrobe, and quite a few kitchen and backyard/pool renovations: I counted five.

From its premiere episode to its last, Valerie is warm, funny, and friendly as she shares her extensive knowledge and know-how about everything from appetizers to desserts, and cocktails that would make any mixologist jealous. Throughout the series we're introduced to her friends, her family, as well as past cast mates, & celebrity chefs.

It is truly unfortunate that The Food Network didn't renew Valerie's contract for this series deciding to stick with reality-based shows instead of cooking series that inform and teach the viewer.

Valerie's series is worth watching with a pen & pad in hand to jot down so many of the delicious recipes she shares.

She seems so down to earth and fun, and the recipes are actually very good. Every episode feels like I've just been invited to her kitchen to have fun and celebrate food. Honestly, I didn't expect much from the former child star, but I really look forward to this show.

I personally love watching home cooks on TV. They are relatable, and the recipes are very beginner friendly and easy to follow. I love Valerie's energy- she is so fun to watch and my 2 year old even loves watching her with me. I find myself smiling at her quirkiness throughout the episode. I've made plenty of her recipes, as well. I love that she's a home cook, but incorporates some more "gourmet" type dishes into her cooking instead of whipping up a casserole for the 567th time (pioneer woman I am looking at you). The show feels light-hearted, less scripted than most, and I love how Valerie thinks out of the box for her recipes. Family friendly, but not your basic pasta or meatloaf yet again. A+ for me!

Her effortless approach is fun to watch. I feel like Valerie and I are old friends cooking together. So happy to see her on Food Network!!