contest BEGIN! Chopped Throwdown

[The Hot Pepper]

This is the Chopped Throwdown, based on the TV show. There are three secret ingredients in the basket plus the staple chili pepper. You must prepare an entree using all four.

The basket:

Spoiler

Cornish hen (small chicken only substitute)
Swiss chard (beet greens only substitute)
Melba toast
Chili pepper of your choice

Begin! You have until Sunday evening at 9pm EST. The rules:

1. You must use all of the ingredients listed in some way.
2. You may use any additional ingredients (The Pantry). Be careful not to overpower the secret ingredients.
3. You must post a teaser picture in this topic with the ingredients whole and 5 cents as Proof of Life.
4. You must post a presentation picture in this topic with your entree on one plate before the deadline. Make sure your presentation highlights the secret ingredients. You must also name your dish, and list all of the ingredients used, how you used the secret ingredients, and list the cooking methods.

 

[Yabba]

Am I tripping, didn't you say that yesterday?

¥

 

[The Hot Pepper]

They officially start on Friday. Yesterday I was asked to start it early, but the member failed to enter, so I just restarted it today. The thread had no purpose, just some chit chat. This is the official one.

Let's see those entries!

 

[Yabba]

Just ribbing yah

Can't wait to see what people can do with melba toast

¥

 

[frydad4]

Somebody couldn't find hens in texas.
I called texas and found hens.
He's using a small chicken.

NOW ON WITH THE THROWDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to do mine! Probably tomorrow. Hope someone doesn't take my idea first.

 

[paulky_2000]

I looked everywhere......

....no Swiss chard to be found at any of the Bowling Green groceries.

I'll just have to be a spectator on this one, unfortunately. The upside is that I finally know what Melba toast looks like!

 

[mikeinsc]

A cornish game hen is a small chicken. Typically 5-6 weeks old.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

No it's a hybrid breed that's mostly all white meat.

 

[paulky_2000]

I can't wait to see if anyone has my idea.....

 

[buddy]

Here's my teaser picture. Cornish hen/Chard lasagna, topped with Feta cheese. Served with a nice Chianti. Will post complete list of ingredient as I go along.

The Swiss Chard - being sauteed in evoo with garlic:

Before roasting (seasoned with garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregeno, cayenne pepper):

Out of the oven (will finish cooking when baked with lasagna):

More later . . .


Here's the Swiss chard/ricotta/mozzarella/red pepper mix:

Building the lasagna:

Adding the Cornish hen (notice the Fatali flakes - used on every layer):

Topped with Feta cheese and ready for the oven:

More later . . .

 

[geeme]

I looked everywhere......

....no Swiss chard to be found at any of the Bowling Green groceries.

I'll just have to be a spectator on this one, unfortunately. The upside is that I finally know what Melba toast looks like!

Well, there's that. Still, it seems you could have found some substitute for swiss chard - the THP sweetie posted some acceptable substitutes on the other thread in responding to DaQ, who also cannot find swiss chard..... NO WEENIES HERE - GET YOUR GAME ON!

 

[mikeinsc]

My teaser pic. Pancetta, goat cheese, roasted red pepper, Datil, Bhut Jolokia, grits,etc. No swiss chard here in 2 towns and 5 stores except for 2 wilted, pathetic bunches at Publix. So as allowed I am substituting Beet Greens.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Small chicken may substitute Cornish hen.
Beet greens may substitute Swiss chard. They are from the beet family and the closest sub, and easy to get. Just buy beets.
May not substitute melba toast.

I do not believe these substitutions affect the competition. But let's be fair to those that found the actual ingredients. No more substitutions.

Rock and roll!

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Nice teasers guys!

 

[salsalady]

OOOOoo! Nice Start! Lasagna! and ????


Here's my teaser- can you guess what I'm going to make?

If so, Please Send Me a PM!!!...Cuz I really don't have a plan for this one!

check out the coins~

Pssst- Pauly...since you ain't gonna do your idee-er...wanna whisper in my ear???

 

[The Hot Pepper]

SL since you're looking for ideas I will send you mine

 

[geeme]

Geesh.... weren't you the one who said NOT to share ideas????

Cornish Hens - thawing in a water bath
Melba Toast - purchased (what more can be said?)
Swiss Chard - best bunch o' green chillin' in the fridge

Question: What is the difference between Melba Toast and other toasts that look like Melba Toast but don't say "Melba"? In this case, I obtained Whole Grain Melba Snacks, as the plain Melba Toast was unavailable. Stlil trying to decide if I'm going with my original idea, or if I'm going to change it, but time will tell..... clock is tickin'!

 

[mikeinsc]

Here's the beginnings of a stock...

completed is the horseradish viniagrette, rendering is the pancetta, red pepper has been roasted but waiting on other components,beets are almost finished roasting, grits not started yet, one hen is now in the stock and the other is waiting for something

 

[salsalady]

Oh GOODNESS! with the ideas that have been offered, and the starter pics..........I'm drooling on the keyboard again!

Alright, then...off I go to the pantry to plan.




da-da-da---da-da...you're the inspiration~~~

 

[logchief]

Mike, you go dude. Great start for a stock. Would love to see a TD crown in someone new's court