Iron Chef - Home
Edition É
Turning the
classic question ŇWhatŐs for dinner?Ó into a sport
Occasionally, we
play a variation on the classic Japanese TV Cooking Show Iron Chef. In that program chefs compete to fix
dishes based on a surprise ingredient. A celebrity panel tastes the food and
votes for the resident chef or the challenger chef.
The home edition
has a Shopping Team and a Cooking Team. The Shopping Team goes to the market
and brings home three ingredients. Then the Cooking Team makes dinner out of
them. When dinner is ready both sides dine on whatever results.
We recorded an
Iron Chef Home Edition in December 2006 ...
The Shopping Team: Dan and Larry
Starting at the
butter case, the Shopping Team looks for three ingredients that will challenge
the Cooking Team. ThatŐs not too hard. We were thinking of choosing butter, beer
and orange soda ... but we have to eat it for dinner, too! ItŐs a tough job.
We finally
selected bay scallops, avocados and Brie. This ingredient list seems pretty
easy, doesnŐt it? Think again.
The Cooking Team: Julie, Tomoko and Dave
Scallops,
avocados and Brie? The Cooking Team searched its memory banks trying to recall
recipes that use the ingredients separately or together. They tried to find
innovative ways to use ingredients and spices we have in the house. It takes a
lot of discussion ... it is not easy to invent new recipes quickly.
Eventually, the
Cooking Team gathered at the refrigerator looking for leftovers!
The Cooking Begins!
After developing
a plan, the Cooking Team began. They chose Spanish/Central American flavors
rather than tastes of other countries. They planned to use
- Scallops in the main entre
- Avocados in a composed salad
- Brie in a dessert
It was time to
start chopping and mixing spices!
Iron Chefs must
concentrate.
Their hands flew
as the kitchen filled with the aromas of spices and citrus, and the sizzle of
cooking.
In Less Than An Hour, Time For Dinner!
The masterpieces
were complete! The menu was ...
Avocado filled
with citrus, red onion and bell pepper Éthat is the petal of a pansy on top!
Scallops with
hot sausage and rice, which tasted much like paella.
Filo dough
filled with Brie, apple, spiced walnuts and maple syrup.
... complemented
by a Columbia Valley merlot. The Cooking Team celebrated by sharing dinner with
the Shopping Team!
Bon Appetite!
It was a
terrific meal! Both teams had a great time.