Let's play the C&B version of "Chopped"

[Duer 157099]

In the subject line of your post, as a reply in this thread, list 3-4 main ingredients that have to play a prominent role in the meal. And you can designate whether it should be an appetizer, main course, or dessert. Basic pantry items are available, of course.

Then, folks who want to take a stab will reply below the list they choose. We can forego the cooking time limits, since it will be interesting enough just to see what creative thoughts are generated.

I'll post the first one below. Soon as I can come up with a good trio.

(I often wonder whether the producers of that show have certain dishes in mind when they come up with the ingredient lists, or if they just randomly choose them)

[Duer 157099]

1. Tri-tip, limes, cheddar cheese

Go!

[Warpy]

7. Hmmm, let's see

Tri tip rubbed with dried chipotle, grilled and sliced over a bed of greens dressed with a lime dressing, cheese rolls on the side.

[Duer 157099]

2. Talapia, hominy, peanut butter

ew?

[wildflower]

5. I think I'd fry the tilapia...

in a pan, make an Asian peanut butter sauce, and then serve it over hominy, I guess. Oh, or maybe make a fried hominy cake with scallions in it.

[Warpy]

3. Strawberries, bologna, Crisco

[Duer 157099]

4. I'll try

I think I'd make a Monte Cristo sandwich and then puree the strawberries with some sugar, cook them down a bit to thicken and serve that on the side.

Get some bread and make a sandwich with the balogna, add some swiss cheese, dip the whole thing in beaten egg and fry it in the Crisco. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, serve with the strawberry jam.

Actually that could almost be a yum.

[grasswire]

6. last night they had tofu-cherry tomato-ginger snap

...for a dessert. The chefs had a lot of trouble with that.

[Duer 157099]

8. I was shocked that they both seemed to do well with those

I thought the idea of trying to bread some tofu squares with the crushed ginger snaps might have worked out well if he had more time to maybe let the tofu firm up and had used a better breading technique.

And glazing the tomatoes just seemed bizarre because I don't know how you could eat one and not be thinking that it should taste like a cherry. I think if I were to try that, I'd have first crushed the tomatoes to get rid of the pulp and to let the sweet glaze penetrate the inside.

[japple]

9. I was surprised, too. I thought the firehouse chef's dessert

was going to tank, but 2 of the judges really liked it. It was a close contest.

[Warpy]

10. Yeah, the tomatoes were the tough part

because you'd want to get rid of any of their flavor and use them as more of a garnish, no matter what. It's like using garlic in a dessert, no thanks.

My own idea would have been a vanilla tofu cheesecake (yes, I've done one that's been quite good) in a crushed gingersnap crust, candied cherry tomato peel as a garnish.

Breading tofu is a ticklish business. Savory breadings are best and ones using finely grated Parmasean work best for me, the melting cheese tending to glue the whole business together and to the tofu.

[Duer 157099]

11. In honor of today's SC: Khlea, Vieux Boulogne, Durian

[The empressof all]

13. Oh Gag....

That's just wrong....:spank:

[Warpy]

14. I would serve it to Republican new money glitterati

Khlea dipped into a Vieux Boulogne fondue with a Durian palate cleanser before the next course, a sample platter of balut from various species.

[Duer 157099]

15. Oh! Nice touch with the balut

Have a special episode with "celebrity" judges: Palin, Rush and Hannity

[AwakeAtLast]

12. Jicama, clams, and a can of Coca-cola.

I choose appetizer


Edit because I can't read directions. x(

[japple]

16. First of all, get those clams squeaky clean. Don't want Alex to

wind up with grit on her plate.

This one has me stumped, but I think I'd make a slaw with jicama using red peppers, green onion, maybe a bit of arugula or something else a little bitter. Can't think what to do with the clams and coke, though...Guess I've been chopped.

[Warpy]

17. Co'cola dressing, of course

It would provide sweetness to play against the vinegar and oil. You could throw in some white miso to flummox the palate completely. Extra dressing should be on the side to dip the steamers into, of course.

[wildflower]

18. There used to be an old coca cola recipe book I think

Maybe one of these recipes would work, adapted:

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/recipes.html