Top Chef - - Page 35

by Liza

Live Blogging Top Chef: Episode 5

Ok so I’m live blogging tonight, and I have to warn you…. I passionately dislike our precious Padma (yeah, I said it). Her monotone, non-expressive voice, and the Top Chef promos of her popping a champagne bottle and spraying it everywhere make me want to vomit. But I LOVE TOP CHEF, and I just put a vegetable lasagna in the oven for the occasion!

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Ok we’re starting- and the preview looks crazy- people are yelling at each other, a table fell down.. what’s going on!

—–

Zoi is always pissed

Ming Tsai is the guest judge. Jesus, Padma just pointed to her mouth and was like “your palate, your palate is so important”

OMG everyone is so conceited about their palate – They have to figure out which cuisine is the gourmet and which is not and Padma sounds legitly pissed that someone was not correct- she’s such a bitch – so disappointed! and Stephanie sounds biiiiter

I don’t know what to think about Antonia… I think she might be the hidden gem…

Or should I say the hidden element –

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Wow only 15 minutes to make 3 courses!

Antonia: “I will make a f-ing condensed soup”

I agree with Lisa – How can you be comfortable with having a meal be an EGG! I’m sorry, but people like to eat, and they are not going to be satisfied with 1 egg in the middle of their plate.

in Bacon / Fish / TV 28 comments

by BS

It Wouldn’t Be Top Chef Without Fauxhawks

It looks like Top Chef is officially an American cultural phenomenon, as the show was parodied on SNL for the first time this weekend, complete with a dead-on Padma Lakshmi impression and a cameo from Christopher “More Cowbell” Walken.

And because nothing is more American than watching both your television and computer screens at the same time, check back into ES tonight for Live Blogging Top Chef, with this week’s host, Liza.

in Celebs / TV 8 comments

by Russell Warnick

One Day You’ll Follow Me

One of my biggest challenges when cooking is being creative in the kitchen. When it comes to following a recipe I’ve got it down; I can pretty much replicate someone else’s dish to the smallest detail. However, when it comes to creating a dish with the random ingredients in my kitchen, I’m at a loss. Due to my lack of creative juices I try to put my own spin on the things I cook, I’ll copy a recipe but make a few changes. I figured this a great way of teaching myself how to be a better cook so hopefully one day I wont be following the leader.

A few weeks back I was in New York and decided to pay a visit to Top Chef alum, Dave Martin’s Crave on 42nd. It’s not a bad restaurant if you like your food sweet! Everything was coated in either sugar or cinnamon; the sugar high upon leaving was unbelievable. But Dave’s signature black truffle mac n’ cheese was amazing and I knew I had to recreate this.

On the bus ride back I was perusing Food & Wine magazine and came across this white chocolate coated grapes with an orange curd from Citronelle DC’s, Michel Richard. I knew I had a meal in the making.

Luckily, I had just been asked to cater my boss’ baby shower — a perfect opportunity to experiment with these two new recipes. Although I couldn’t stick my boss with the bill for the pricey black truffles, I did manage to find a worthy substitute.

The recipes and pictures after the jump.

in Celebs / Cheese / Desserts 1 comments

by gansie

Reveal Your Identity

I know this isn’t supposed to be a personal blog. So go with me here as I make it about food.

I think I have a secret admirer!

As BS noted, it was my birthday last week and the cooking themed presents poured in: 3 spatulas from my parents; 2 mini-spatulas from 80P (to make up for this disaster); a beautiful wooden salad bowl with 4 matching mini-bowls from 80P; the Top Chef cookbook from my brother, SAG; a food writing anthology from 80P’s parents; and other non-related food items (like an awesome vintage blue clutch from my sister.)

Anyway, so I thought that my presents were over when I received another package in the mail! It’s a book about restaurant reviews and critic secrets written by the pair that now writes a wine column for WaPo, Dining Out: Secrets from America’s Leading Critics, Chefs, and Restaurateurs. And, there was no sign of who it’s from.

Feel free to identify yourself, either in the comments or to my email: gansie@endlesssimmer.com. I’d like to thank you properly.

And yes, I know, I do love the fact that I got FIVE spatulas for my birthday.

in Personal 16 comments

by gansie

Live Blogging Top Chef: Episode 4

Takin over for 80P this week. And, this is a very special live blogging edition – we have guests over! Neighbors Edouble, Vi and Jerry will help with the commenting. And, of course, 80P. Although we might be like 5 minutes behind – waiting for Jerry to get here.

For the company, I obv had to make some snacks. With an almost bad eggplant I made baba ghanouj for the first time. And I followed this recipe, except for just one eggplant and I tripled the garlic and didn’t measure anything. I served it with whole wheat pita chips which I made by tossing pita (cut into triangles) with extra virgin, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. And then I spread them out on a baking sheet and popped it in the oven for like 15-20 minutes on 350.

— — —

Bring on the veggies. Quick Fire is pretty cool – show off knife skills and technique on vegetables. Like 80 said before, the Quick Fires are so much better. Not just corporate tie in. It’s actual cooking.

Love Daniel Boulud. His After Hours show is so cool. It’s like, get some random celebs (Charlotte’s gay friend from Sex and the City, Mario Cantone, and ~~Danielle~~ Gabrielle Reese) and eat in the kitchen at like 2am.

And although I don’t agree with Vegan – sign me up for the Vegan sashimi by Dale. Very well thought out.

Richard is a douche.

And Dale is the Winner!

— — —

OMG! Gemma! So sorry. Stay with me!

— — —

in Recipe / TV / Veggie 44 comments

by 80 Proof

Live Blogging Top Chef: Episode 3

9:39 EST

While you watch the last episode, find out what kind of judge you are: judge test
Of course I was Tom.

– – –

9:44 EST

So I went commercial tonight and ordered some Domino’s. While Gansie is off socializing with normal people, I will spend my night talking to my imaginary Internet friends about Top Chef. But I have to give Domino’s credit. They came up with this new invention called the Pizza Tracker. It shows you the 5 steps that happen once you order your pizza online. For instance, I ordered my pizza at 9:20, and at 9:21 I knew that Sonia had started applying toppings. 7 minutes later, Tomar is on the way to my house. Frankly, it’s pretty cool. Nice work, corporate giant.

– – –

9:56 EST

TOMAR!!! WHERE ARE YOU??? 80P HUNGRY!! Hmm, well, according to Pizza Tracker, I have my pizza. Oops

Ok, sorry, no more about me, let’s focus on other people’s problems.

More live blogging (maybe about Top Chef this time) after the break…

in TV 18 comments

by gansie

Live Blogging Top Chef: Episode 2

10:03 EST

Paaaleeze. Starting the show with chefs in the weight room. I’m watching a cooking show, not Eric Nies The Grind. I already feel guilty enough LIVE BLOGGING this ridiculous show and now you have to make me feel guilty for munching on the chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies 80 brought home from work.

— — —

10:06 EST

Quick Fire: 5 ingredients (from the farmers market) to create any dish and you can’t count garlic. Shit.

— — —

10:09 EST

So the dude that is going to judge the Quick Fire was a guest for this bad ass show that 80 and I watch on the MOJO channel, After Hours with Daniel Boulud. We’ll watch anything if it’s in HD. Well, especially 80 – he watches racing cars, or whatever that “sport” is.

The Kiwi wins. Although it was so apparent. After the guest judge tasted his food he slipped in a “Nice sideburns.” Clearly, sideburns unite the world.

— — —

10:18 EST

Elim challenge – finally some group exercise. This is where the drama starts. Oh, Howie. I miss you.

Remember I thought Spike might be cute, well, he’s not. But I do love me some Nikki.

So the actual challenge. I like it. Cocktail party at the zoo. Each team is named after a zoo animal and they have to base their dishes after the animal’s diet.

Team Gorilla is going with meat even though the gorilla is a veggie, like our girlfriend Alex. (See this bacon as a hand basket comment section) Not sure how the judges are going to feel about that.

{More live blogging post jump}

in TV 4 comments

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