Foodie Fights -

by BS

Strawberries + Wontons = Ceviche, Obviously

Our friends over at Foodie Fights have launched their third season, a series of weekly virtual cook-offs in which a group of bloggers are assigned two ingredients and told to report back with something delicious. FF asked me to serve as a judge for the third challenge, in which blog-testants had to cook with strawberries and wonton wrappers. While the crowds loved transplant’s Wonton Tartlets with Mascarpone Cheese, Strawberries and Balsamic Reduction, I had to hand the win to Pickles and Kumquats for their Ceviche with Strawberry Salsa and Wonton Chips, because really, how the hell do you think to make ceviche from these ingredients? I know, I’m a sucker for craziness. If you think you could do better, today’s the day to sign up for Foodie Fights Battle 4: Shallots and Apricots. I’m thinking ice cream. You?

in Fish 2 comments

by gansie

Zucchini and Garam Masala

Back in April Nick from Macheesmo invited me to judge the first in a series of virtual cooking contests. Of course I was pumped to review bloggers’ attempts to create something interesting with potatoes and lemons, but I wanted to be on the other side.

Last week I was picked to be in this month’s fight. It’s a very simple duel, use two ingredients and make something awesome. That’s it. Except when one of the ingredients is something I’ve never worked with before: garam masala. (Zucchini is my favorite summer vegetable, so I was pretty excited to use it.)

I’ve messed around with curry a ton, but only a pre-mixed, commercial curry powder. I never really thought about making my own, of course until now. And I was seriously close to buying one, but just leaving another challenge that was all about using what’s on hand, I investigated my spice rack.

Using the link Nick provided for garam masala, I wrote down all of the ingredients that could possibly combine to create the spice blend. I then went to my kitchen and figured out I owned 11 of the spices and seeds.

Fuck it, I’m making my own.