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Food

Next Food Network Star (7/19)

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So we are getting near the end. Who do we think is going to make it? I think Jamika’s run might be coming to an end. Or Debby. I think that Jeffrey and Melissa will make it to the end but I have been wrong before.

This week we start off with Chef Michael Simon waiting for the finalists. They are going to have to do a live demo on a Miami morning show. The show kitchen is going to be rigged for problems. Debby gets to go first. They changed out her catfish for chicken and took some of her ustensils. She seemed to really handle everything they threw at her. Melissa is going to have the host messing with her the whole time. The host added hot sauce to her tapenade. She got a little frantic. Jeffrey was having technical issues. His mike gave out. So then they did a boom mike and then a mike he had to hold. He held a mike and a large knife together all the same time. Jamika was going to get wrong time cues and a up close mike. Jamika seemed a little stressed and didn’t smile much. Debby won!
I really relate to Melissa. When she gets nervous she talks really fast. And as any of you who know me real life, that is totally me. If she doesn’t get over that, she is out.
Now we are on to the next challenge. We have outdoor kitchens by the pool. They are having a challenge to get onto the Red Lobster menu (as they have done in previous seasons). They have 45 minutes to make a fresh fish dish that also has a shell fish or crustacean. They only thing they can use to cook is the woodfired grill. Debby got to select her seafood first. Debby went with Tilapia. Melissa went with artic char and scallops. Jamika did MahiMahi and shrimp. Jeffrey gets baramundi with scallops and shrimps.
Then they stopped time. They take Jeffrey’s chilis and they gave them Asian ingredients. Then they take Jamika’s pineapple and gave her celery root. They took Melissa’s citrus and gave her habeneros. Then Debby, they took her Asian ingredients and gave her some Mediteranian ingredients. And the time starts back with 41 minutes on the clock.
Jamika seems inable to fake happiness at all. But everyone else seemed to at least fake happiness. Jeffrey seemed to be able to keep his same basic plan just changed flavors. Jamika says she is pissed and doesn’t know what she is making. At 6 minutes she doesn’t know. Jamika grilled her celery root and then loved the flavor. Everyone else seemed to engage the judging panel.
Debby got hit by Bobby for not using capers. Bobby said the talapia was cooked perfectly. They thought that Melissa balanced the habenero and it went really well. Bob also liked how Melissa handled herself well. Jeffrey’s food went over well. Bobby was disappointed in the lack of spice in Jamika’s dish. Jamika also got hit for not having fun.
After the initial judging Jamika says when she is in the cooking zone don’t mess with her. If you are a grouch when you are cooking you should not invite people into your kitchen! Maybe this isn’t the job for her. After all the cooking, I think Jamika is on her way out.
At judging panel Bobby asked Jeffrey what his focus would be. Jeffrey said cooking without borders but Bobby said that he hasn’t shown that. Bob says that Jeffrey’s zen can translate into vanilla. Bobby said that Jamika’s Jamakin Me Crazy Shrimp was bland. They jumped on her bad attitude with Bob and how that doesn’t work for tv. Bobby was impressed how Melissa handled the habenero’s. Bob said she kind of blew it in the demo but listened to the notes and did well in the final challenge. Melissa layed it out well for Michael on her credibility with moms and scared Bobby a little. Bobby jumped on Debby for not using the capers and how at first she said they were in the dressing. Susie jumped on her for every week there being issues with her being clear/honest. Debby felt she hadn’t been dishonest and felt attacked. She said she just spoke without thinking. Debby thinks she has the most unique viewpoint. Jamika thought that she is memorable. Melissa thinks that her brand can grow the best.
The winner of the challenge was Jeffrey so his dish will be on the menu. I have to say that wasn’t the dish that I am running to Red Lobster to try. Melissa’s not to hot peppers is what I wanted to try.
Jamika was cut.
So we are down to the final 3. While I think Debby has what it takes I don’t think she is the right choice. She has had to many integrity issues and I don’t think the viewing public can embrace her fully with all of this hanging over her. The NerdPie is happy that Melissa is still around. Let’s see who has what it takes to go all the way!

Food

Top Chef Masters (7/15)

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So here we meet again. How will our chefs do? I haven’t been doing so well with my favs (such as Besch and Dufrense). Who it going to win this week?

This week we have Michael Chiarello (watched his Easy Entertaining show for a while), Rick Moonen (seems really familiar and not just because he reminds me of Jeff Probst), Nils Noren (also familiar but I am thinking possibly Iron Chef America), and Lachlan M. Patterson (also a bit familiar). I think I know of Rick Moonen from when he was cooking at Oceana and a piece in a magazine on fish conservation issues. Nils was under Samuelson who we have seen on Top Chef before and he is now at French Culinary School. Lachlan is from Boulder and I can’t remember if we saw him when Top Chef was there.

So the Quick Fire is the junk food challenge. They have to use a junk food in a fine dining dish. Michael chose fish sticks and tartar sauce. Lachlin chose a hot dog. Rick chose a corn dog. Lastly Nils chose the fried shrimp. I love how they all chose a protein. The judges are Jeff Lewis and his employees. The chefs seem to be nervous about non-foodies judging them. We are having timing issues. Rick didn’t even present to the judges.

Scores:
Michael- 4 1/2 stars
Nils- 3 stars
Lachlin- 3 stars
Rick- 0 stars

The Elimination Challenge is to cook a miniature 3 course meal for 100 people by themselves. Basically they have to make appetizer plates representing an appitizer, entree and dessert. They each get $1000. Michael’s gellato wasn’t freezing during prep. Everyone seemed a little crazy about time except for Nils.

Menus:
Rick- Opakapaka Ceviche, Brandade of Scallop and Shrimp, Preserved Lemon Custard
Lachlan- Pinapple and Speck “Fritta Esotica”, Grilled Beef Short Ribs, Strawberry Frangipane Tart
Michael- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, Spicy Prawns, Balsamic Marinated Strawberries
Nils- Diced Scallop, Slow Cooked Salmon, Chocolate and Goat Cheese Ganache

Serving/Judging:
I am totally going to have to try shaving brussel sprouts. Lachlan’s Fritta seemed a little odd to everyone. Rick’s appetizer went over pretty well. Nils seemed to be the home run for the first course. The judges thought that Michael’s main course was a bit oily and the knife thing was bothersome. Rick’s entree went over well. Lachlan’s entree also went over well. The loved the salad component. The judges once again loved Nil’s dish. Lachlin’s went well but the strawberries reminded them of meat. Michael’s dessert worked for everyone except Gail. Rick’s panacotta went over well. Nil’s dessert didn’t go over well. It had to much smoke.

Gail was amazed that Michael’s dessert did work. They thought that Nil’s scallop was really good and his salmon was liked by 2 out of 3 of them. But Nil’s dessert was to smoky and almost bacony. They thought that Lachlin’s beef was salty. Gail liked Rick’s ceviche and his brandade was a success. They were in awe that Rick made individual custards. They didn’t like the deep fried pineapple from Lachlin.

Final Scores:
Michael- 19 1/2 start
Nils- 17 stars
Rick- 17 stars
Lachlin- 15 1/2 stars

So Michael wins! See you next week to see who else will be going to the champion’s round!

Food

Next Food Network Star (7/12)

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So Next Food Network Star is going to Miami! I wonder who is going to shine and who is going to sink this week.

So Ted Allen meets our friends at JFK with the fine dining chef for that part of the airport. They each got assigned a restaurant and they had to cook a dish appropriate for the restaurant. During the assignments my 4 year old wants to know where Katie is. But anyway. They have 30 minutes. The knives are tied down in this place!
Jeffrey got the Italian place and decided to go with bruschetta. Jamika got the sushi place and was doing a seared rare tuna salad. Michael got French and decided to do oysters but they didn’t have a shucking knife. So he went with clams and shrimp. Melissa got the tapas bar and decided to make chicken a la plancha. Debbie got the modern American cuisine/steak place and decided to a spinach salad.

Jamika did ok but she started talking about not eating anything to heavy because she doesn’t like airplane bathrooms. Eww, gross. The Debby talked about women wanting a salad to watch their weight. Susie didn’t care for that at all. I think Susie was just miffed that Debbie didn’t make her a steak. The last person who talked about “women” got tossed. Jeffrey shared about his ethnic background and that was new and interesting. Melissa did really well sharing her background and her food. Michael did ok. He didn’t really add anything other than what is on the plate. He didn’t execute the dish well. Jeffrey’s dish won and Michael’s dish lost.

Then we are off to Miami. The hotel was pretty. Ted Allen was waiting for them in the lobby. They had to work as a team to cook for a cocktail party. They each need to create 2 appetizers and as a group have a signature drink. Jeffrey gets to assign tasks to everyone as his prize. Michael is going to be the bartender. Debby is going to be in charge in the kitchen due to her catering experience. They got 2 hours to prep and cook before the party. They all seemed the mess in the prep kitchen. I don’t know if anyone caught this but Debby says that her dish is a marinaded chicken then grill the chicken and then soak it in the marinade. Does she mean clean marinade? If she is putting it back into the marinade she used, she can get someone sick! Debby was also going to head up the kitchen during service and she doesn’t seem aware of much beyond her own dishes.

Then onto the party. Michael is on the bar and Jeffrey was serving. Then Jamika went out to serve and that left just Debby and Melissa to make everyone’s food. The judges weren’t impressed with Jeffrey’s food. They thought Jamika’s jerk was to mild but liked her shrimp. Melissa ended up with 5 dishes, Jamika was doing a couple peoples and Debby was only doing her own food. The judges liked the flavors in Melissa but didn’t think they came together well. The judges thought the drink wasn’t spicy as promised. The food was coming out slowly so Bobby goes in the back to see what is going on. Then Michael goes into the kitchen to help. Then Michael comes out with food and totally drops everything on the judges and runs. Then Michael told the judges he doesn’t like the camera. They didn’t care for his food. Then Debby came out. The judges liked her food the best.

The judges didn’t like the fact that the food didn’t come out. Jeffrey got hit on his crab tostada. While Michael was the big host he wasn’t the favorite personality. The judges couldn’t taste the marinade on his salmon. Jamika let the judges she how flustered she was. They thought her jerk was bland. They liked Melissa’s vegetable dish. They loved Debby’s food. Debby said that she was doing what ever she could to get the food out. Debby said that she was being selfless. Melissa said she did 5 dishes on her own. Then the judges did the math and realized Debby only did her own 2 dishes.

Then the judges sent everyone back. Then Jeffrey and Debby started fighting in the back. No one is going to let Debby play the martyr. So did Debbie’s good food balance her team failing? Jamika and Melissa were the first saved. Then it boiled down to Michael and Debby. They called Debby on not owning up to her mistakes. But as was predictable, Michael was cut. But Michael was surprised and was sure we are surprised. Well, surprise Michael but I am not surprise.

So who will make it another week? I think Jamika may be the next to go unless Debby shows another lack of judgement.

Food

Oven Poached Salmon

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First off, I take horrible pictures but anyway… Here is my recipe for easy oven poached salmon.

Ingredients:
4 Salmon Fillets
Parsley to taste
Pappy’s/Seasoning blend to taste
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place fillets in 9×13 baking dish. Pour Chicken Stock in dish around fish. Sprinkle both fish and stock evenly with both Parsley and Seasoning Blend. Cover with foil. Cook for 20 minutes.
Yes, that really is it. You can serve it over a simple cousous with some broccoli! It is good for you, cooks in 20 minutes and is really easy. What else do you want?

Food

Top Chef Masters (7/8)

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So here we meet again. I am feeling a poorly so I am not going to be tracking with to much detail. More snark though;). Let us see who are chefs are this week!

We have Mark Peel (name is familiar), Douglas Rodriguez, Anita Lo (who I have seen on stuff, maybe Top Chef), and one of my favs John Besch!!! I really thought John Besch was going to be the new Iron Chef. Anita always looks tough and a little angry.
The Quickfire is the egg challenge. They had to cook them with 1 hand behind their back. Gail is back as one of the quickfire judges. If Mark’s is edible he should win just because he made a pasta. John was a total mess. I don’t understand why his egg wasn’t cooked.
Mark: 2 1/2 stars
John: 1/2 stars
Douglas: 3 stars
Anita: 5 stars
So the Elimination Challenge is to make a dinner for Neil Patrick Harris and some friends. They have to make a dish based on the aspect of magic they each got (mystery, spectecle, illusion and surprise). I had no idea that John Besch was a Marine right out of high school! I really have my doubts about John’s tableside horseradish sorbet. I like that Tom was in the kitchen talking to the chefs. He needs to do that every week. I like having Gail Simmons back as a judge.
I think Mark’s en pappiotte was a success. John’s horseradish and creme fraiche seemed to go well. I think Anita’s illusion worked well but the plate just seemed off to me. Maybe it is just that so much of her sea scape was hidden. Douglas’s plate was just dangerous. I think if there was going to be flame element but it should not have been a slow burning flame.
Taste wise I think that Mark and Douglas might have done the best. But I think for concept I think Anita did hit it on the head.
John: 12 stars
Mark: 18 1/2 stars
Anita: 22 1/2
Douglas: 13 stars
So Anita is moving on! So what did you all think?

Food

Next Food Network Star (7/5)

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This week I am less than 100% (you can read about my sad plight here). Since analysis isn’t my thing right now I am not going to do the full breakdown. I am just going to live blog some snark.

It is the Rachel Ray challenge and it is always interesting. Also they get to do their first cooking demo to camera.
The demo is making kids like the non-kid ingredients: squid, brussel sprouts, and tofu. Katie did really well. I was impressed because I wasn’t sure she was going to be a hit with a squid salad. Jeffrey really seemed to pull it out.
For Rachel Ray’s show they have to take kid food and make it for adults. They are working in teams this time. Katie and Debby go Chicken Nuggets and Mac & Cheese. Michael and Melissa are doing Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese. Jeffrey and Jamika have Hot Dogs and Baked Beans.
I don’t think Jeffrey knows what Baked Beans are. He seems to be stuck on the idea that it needs rice. Jamika needs to tell him that Baked Beans don’t have rice. Michael was so confident that he does well in front of an audience but he just choked in the beginning. But I think that Michael and Melissa did well in their demo! The judges thought that Melissa didn’t seem to be having fun. Katie and Debby did much better than I thought they would do. Katie just looked down most of the time. Jamika seemed to just stand there and watch Jeffrey while he talked and cooked. She wasn’t jumping in but he wasn’t really making a spot for her until the last minute. Jeffrey handed off the beans to her. Jamika never smiled. I am wondering if Jamika and Jeffrey will attack each other in judging. The people who remain will go to Miami.
Katie was in the bottom 3. I am shocked, as was she. Bob says that he found her first demo hard to watch. He seems to miss the point that it wasn’t for him but for a group of kids. In the end they sent Katie home. I think that was a mistake.
Next week I will hopefully be back to my normal detailed self. Just in time to go to Miami.