Monday, May 19, 2008

Drawing Lots

The lots have been drawn and the unique challenges assigned.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Guava Chocolate Wontons

by Krystal Wolfe
Avg. Score: 7.425


1 Jar guava preserve
1 Package of wonton skins
2-3 Egg yolks
3 Cups of frying oil (enough to cover the wontons)

Prep
1. Beat the egg yolks
2. Pour 1/2 to 1 inch of oil into a pan, one with high edges works best.
3. Slowly melt chocolate in a microwave.

Construction
1. Place the wonton skins on a flat surface
2. Scoop a small amount of guava preserve into the middle of the wonton. I used a plastic spoon to measure my amount.
3. Spread some egg yolk around the edge of the wonton. I used my fingers but a brush and be used.
4. Fold the woton over so that it fold a triangle.
5. Press down along the edge of the wonton
6. Let sit 2-3 minutes before placing in the oil
7. Place 2-3 wontons in the oil at one time.
8. Take the wontons out after they have risen to the top, 2-3 minutes.
9. Place the wontons on a cooling rack above paper towels or on paper towels.
10. Let cool before drizzling chocolate on the wontons
11. Serve.

Friday, May 16, 2008

A Call to All Would-Be Masters


The Hagakure reports Yamamoto Tsunetomo to have said that when a samurai is in understanding of his own Way, then he might be exposed to all ways and be more and more in accord with his own.

I say that if a Way be worthy of a master, then that way should guide the master with each of the great elements: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.

In pondering these things, the form of the next great battle of chefs was revealed.

The Second Challenge
  • Each contender will inherit lots drawn from two sources
    • The first draw will assign one of the four great elements
    • The second will reveal a region from one of the four far-flung corners of the earth
  • It will be the task of each chef who accepts the challenge to master in a single dish both (1) the element and (2) the style of the region draw
  • This dish should demonstrate that the would-be master's style is great enough to encompass all ways that luck or fate may cast upon them
  • As with the first challenge, the chefs will be divided into two groups
  • Each group will be judged by the chefs of the alternate round
  • The reigning Master Chef will take advantage of his prerogative to cook in neither round and judge all contenders
  • All preparation must occur on site
  • Each group will have two hours in which to complete their dish
  • These dishes will be judged on two criteria
  • The conceptual use and integration of the challenge of the lots
  • As always, the magic flavor of a great dish that bares the mark of master's hand
  • Critique will be given publicly by each taster
  • The scoring will be
    • Olympic style (1-10 with one-tenth gradations)
    • All scoring by the judges will be done in secret and revealed only after all dishes have been tasted and judged
  • The chef with the highest average score will be rewarded the title of Master Chef and will be passed the Golden Whisk
Who dares answer the challenge of the Master Chef?

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Master Chef the Movie

Enjoy this recap of the event!  I'll be adding everyone as co-authors to the blog shortly so we can begin plotting the next event.



Download:

Friday, May 9, 2008

Tortellini Salad

by Denise Parker
Avg. Score: 7.875

Cook time, 20 minutes
Inactive time, 2 hours


16oz pkg frozen tortelini
8 oz pkg frozen stirfry vegitables (peppers, onions)
1 8oz bottle vinegrette salad dressing
1 can sliced black olives

1) Cook tortelini according to package directions, drain.

2) Chop stirfry veggies into bitesize pieces.

3) Stir pasta, veggies, olives, and 3/4 botle dressing in large bowl.

4) Chill salad in fridge at least 2 hours.

5) Add remaining salad dressing to taste.

Trail Mix Chicken Salad

by Glen Parker
Avg. Score: 8.25

Cook time, 35 minutes
Inactive time, 2 hours
1 lb boneless chicken parts, thighs, breasts
8oz pkg trail mix
3 celery stalks
1 C Mayo

1) Liberaly salt chicken, cook to 165F.

2) Coarsly chop chicken, celery and trail mix into small pieces.

3) Optional: for chunky salad, skip this step. For smooth tuna-like texture, process 3/4 chicken and trail mix through a grinder or food processor until smooth.


4) Stir together chicken, trail mix, celery, and mayo until well combined.

5) Refridgerate until chilled throughout, at least two hours

Serve on toasted bread, bagels, or spread on celery stalks