Friday, September 28, 2012

Battle Greek Yogurt στο σπίτι των Jason and Megan

On September 22, 2012, at the home of Jason and Megan (and occupier baby Finn), the Battle was on for who could make the most amazing and edible Greek Yogurt thing. It was a battle of perfect proportions, and the night's dishes complimented each other like it had been planned (but, of course, knowing this group, that didn't actually happen).


At the front of the line was the GazpacHulk! from Will and Carmin, an appropriately green Greek yogurt based soup:

The next thing loaded onto the plates was the brilliantly named "Persephone's Hearts" - a deconstructed Greek salad amuse-bouche featuring a deep-fried tzatziki ball drizzled in Romesco from Guille (and Sam):



Steve followed with his filling Indian Spiced Pork, Tofu, and Yogurt Sauce:

and was followed in turn by Jon and Caitlin's spicy, earthy, and red yogurt soup:
Jon and Caitlin's Soup

The competition was rounded out by Elizabeth and Max's French Yogurt Cake.
Elizabeth's Yogurt Cake


As is so often the case, the Hearts won the night. Guille reports that he was inspired by some Southern lady on some cooking show that "when in doubt, deep fry it" (because, you know, Megan's Southern and stuff, so there was an attempt to appeal to the judges). Sam claims credit for the idea to put some red sauce on it, and arranged the Hearts' little olive nubs, but otherwise, of course, had no hand in the cooking. The dish itself was a leaf of butter lettuce, atop which was nestled two halves of a kalamata olive, two halves of a cherry tomato, a strand or two of red onion, chopped cucumber, feta cheese, greek vinegrette, a deep fried tzatziki nugget (tzatziki, of course, made of Greek Yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and other stuff maybe), and romesco sauce setting the whole thing off.

After much enjoyment of food, the table was cleared and the assembled cast sat down to play Cards Against Humanity. And Sam is still mad because someone stole her phone and posted "I beat kids with ass cancer" on her Facebook while she was getting another drink. Also Steve notes, YOU MUST CONSTRUCT ADDITIONAL PYLONS. That's all until next month!

Battle Almond with Carmin and Will

On August 11th, our heroes returned to Carmin and Will's for a cozier battle.

Megan and Jason once again took the prize with their decadent Coconut Almond Pie.

Recipes:
  • Coconut Almond Pie by Megan and Jason (no recipe yet)
  • Thai Panang Curry with Beef with Almond Basmati by Steve
    • Used Almonds instead of Peanuts and Almond Oil in the curry.  The Almond flavor comes through a day or two after.
Pictures to come...

Battle Green Chile with the Medina Clan

Battle Green Chile, held July 7th at newcomer Aubrey Medina's parent's house, was one of the biggest gatherings yet.  Featuring some of the regular cast and crew as well a large contingent of Aubrey's family.

Going up against a gauntlet of approximately 37 casserole dishes, Carmin Chan is once again emerged victorious with her take on Corn and Green Chile Chowder with Green Chile Cornbread.

Recipes:

Monday, June 11, 2012

Battle Egg with Carmin and Will

The May 2012 Iron Chef :Egg competition was fun -- if not a bit smaller than usual.  We had 3 motivated teams participate, including 2 first-time Iron Chef-ers.  Despite our smaller ranks, we made the best of it and enjoyed multiple portions of the tasty treats.

From the runners-up we had a Spanish-style omlete made with eggs, potatoes and chorizo and the other team made fluffy, egg-shaped pancakes with whipped cream and apple compote.  However, the winning team (with one of my work colleagues, Aubrey Medina) made an amazing raviolo dish with homemade egg pasta and egg yolk embedded inside.  When we cut open the raviolis the hidden yolks burst into a delicious sauce, mixing with the other filling ingredients and the brown butter glaze.  Delicious!  

Despite only being their first time at the Iron Chef competition, Aubrey's winning team brought their A-game!

Update: The first prize dish started with this recipe here, but minus the truffle, and with added mozzarella, pressed garlic, chili powder, and prosciutto to the ravioli filling.  Rather than sautéing in butter, a garlic infused browned butter was drizzled on top of each one after leaving the water, and then sprinkled with a bit of parmesan.  Cooking them for a bit longer than 2 minutes works a bit better and even longer for a thicker “runny” yolk.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Battle Zucchini at Chateau de Schissel

Our bout with zucchini on April the 10th was a hard fight, but our iron chefs did indeed overcome!

Carmin and William Chan bested the other competitors in this round with their delicious Zucchini Pasta.

Once again, unfortunately pre-battle pictures were unavailable, as well as pics of dishes by the late-comers, whose names escape me (please write them in the comments).

Carmin and William Chan's blue ribbon Zucchini Pasta! ...salad.  The dish was based off on this recipe.

Guille's Carmelized Zucchini with Duck Confit Pizza

Steve's Panko Fried Zucchini with Balsamic Tomato and Basil (or Zucchini Bruschetta if you want to completely wrong about it).
For the Zucchini, follow this recipe but cut them into large coins: http://bit.ly/nbmtB
For the Balsamic Tomato and Basil topping, follow this recipe: http://bit.ly/L4HjS4

The Schissel Dining Room

Everyone stuffing their faces.  Guille is a teapot.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Battle Rice at Sam and Guille's

Held on March 10th, this battle's secret ingredient made for some truly delicious creations.

Newcomer Jason Schissel took home the gold with a fantastic Orzo and Wild Rice Salad.

Unfortunately we were not able to get pictures of the food before they were ravaged.


Rice Salad... Orzo you think! Jason's winning dish was made from the following recipe, but with craisins instead of currants, with added feta, tomatoes, spinach and vinegar to taste. Click here for the recipe.


Elizabeth's refreshing Vegan Fruit Sushi


Hector and his lady friend made a spectacular showing with a Seafood Paella.


Max also brought a great Seafood Pealla and next to it is a cup of Will and Carmin's tasty Horchata


Steve's Peanut Coconut Sticky Rice Mochi. Click here for the recipe.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Battle Beets, at Steve and Dana's Brick Castle: January 21, 2012

With attrition threatening to end our themed food based battles, our campaign was invigorated by an infusion of old and new blood (or was that beet juice?).

Congratulations to comrade Guille, who took home the gold with his delicious and beautiful production of The Czaяina’s Boяscht with beet green compound butter on toasted rye. Silver was awarded to Elizabeth and Max's incredibly moist and fluffy Chocolate "Beet-down" cupcakes w/cream cheese frosting. Edging out the bronze medal was Erica's rich, chocolaty Beetches & Ho's poop log cake (her words).

That was a good one folks, it was the one to beet! Stay tuned for news on the next installment of Iron Chef!


The Czaяina’s Boяscht with beet green compound butter on toasted rye, by Guille and Sam (click here for recipe)


Elizabeth's Chocolate "Beet-down" cupcakes w/cream cheese frosting (apparently Max also helped)


On the left, Clay's Beetches & Ho Ho's featuring Ho Ho ding-dongs and beet jelly giblets. On the right, Erica's Beetches & Ho's, poop log edition, which I wish I took better pictures of since it took home the bronze.


Matt made an incredible first showing with his Fusion Beets


Jon and Caitlin's Savory Blueberry Beet Cakes


Dave's Cake, 'nuff said


Megan and Jason's Beethoven's Chocolate Symphony


Carmin and Will's Bears... Beets... Cake


Robin's Beet Focaccia, so good I was unable to take a picture of it before it was ravaged


At the end of the night, everyone cozied up to the fire, courtesy of Netflix.


Unfortunately, I (Steve) had neglected to take pictures of actual people, so I took the liberty of scouring the internets, taking advantage of everyone's lax application of Facebook's privacy settings, and made a collage of all who attended (with a few extra "friends").