(Silver Spring, Md.) – Planet Green celebrates the launch of Emeril Lagasse’s new series with a night of world premiere episodes of EMERIL GREEN. Six episodes of the exclusive series will debut on the new network on Monday, July 14 from 8-11PM (ET). In EMERIL GREEN Chef Lagasse shares his philosophy for fresh, organic, locally grown foods with Planet Green viewers – a practice he has been using in his restaurants and personal kitchen for more than 30 years. EMERIL GREEN will air regularly Monday through Friday at 8 PM and 8:30 PM (ET).

With many Americans unsure about the best ways to cook with organic and locally grown foods, Chef Lagasse inspires consumers by using high-quality produce, seafood and meats to solve their food dilemmas. Set in Whole Foods Market, Lagasse enrolls the store’s knowledgeable team and other food experts to help real-life cooking-challenged individuals learn about and hand-pick the best foods. After shopping with each individual Chef Lagasse prepares a meal with each individual that demonstrates the convenience and ease of using fresh ingredients in everyday meals.

The complete schedule for Monday, July 14, 2008 includes the following (*all times are ET/PT):

8-8:30 PM

Episode: “Fish Tales”

Fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat but with so many different varieties, how do you make heads or tails of them? In this episode Chef Lagasse helps ballroom dancer Marnie prepare a meal made from several different types of fish that is worthy of her husband’s hometown New Bedford, Mass.

8:30-9 PM

Episode: “Light for Life”

It takes motivation and inspiration to make a lasting change in your life and eating healthy is a change that you never regret. So what happens when you reach a goal and don’t want to backslide? In this episode Chef Lagasse fuels Laura’s new, healthy lifestyle with a recipe designed to help her keep off the 130 pounds she lost.

9-9:30 PM

Episode: “Cuba Libre”

Some of the most flavorful pork dishes come from Cuba, a country known for its fantastic flavors. Chef Lagasse cooks up some familiar favorites with a new and modern twist. He helps Bren, an excellent cook who loves it all – beef tongue, oxtail, you name it. In fact, she’s a regular dynamo in the kitchen. But when it comes to making pork, she doesn’t know where to start.

9:30-10 PM

Episode: “A Winning Combo”

Healthy competition brings out the best in all of us. In this episode we’ll meet Helynn Nelson who is great at everything except cooking. Her husband, on the other hand, can make a gourmet meal out of beans and boudin. Helynn’s competitive nature won’t allow her to settle for second place, even in the kitchen. Chef Lagasse works to take a novice in the kitchen and up her game with dishes like Oysters with Hot Sauce Sorbet and Snapper Wrapped in Banana Leaves.

10-10:30 PM

Episode: “Jambalaya Jones”

When you live in New Orleans for so long the food just becomes a part of your life. It’s the sizzle of andouille sausage or the smell of hot chicory coffee and fresh beignets. But what if you’ve fallen in love with the flavors of New Orleans and want to recreate those memories? Chef Lagasse helps Mike, who spent time responding to the needs of Katrina victims, recapture the flavors in his jambalaya.

10:30-11 PM

Episode: “East Meets West”

Meat may be one of our favorite main dishes but Americans still have plenty of questions. Which cut do you use for grilling, which grade makes the best hamburger, or how can you tell if a steak is done? In this episode Chef Lagasse meets Valerie who loves steak but doesn’t know which cut to buy, how to cook it or even how to handle it. Chef gives her a little meat know-how and serves up his Beef Lettuce Wrap with a Chimichurri Sauce and Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry as a delicious solution to her dilemma.

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