Rice on the Run

Top Chef 4: Chicago
Episode 8, Part One
Quick Rice

Okay, first my quick apology: my family was hit with a stomach flu that is really inappropriate to discuss on a forum about food. So, needless to say, I was in bed watching TC, but not stomaching the idea of writing about it. But all is well now…

Last time we checked in, Jen was packing her knives and returning home to Zoi because the judges didn’t get her sensual asparagus ménage a trios. Some things are best left unexplained. So anyway, we wake to Steph realizing she needs to step it up and prove herself, as she’s been on the bottom for a few go-rounds now. The chefs head to the Quickfire, where they are introduced to Art Smith, who apparently cooks for Oprah and has won James Beard awards for his culinary endeavors and humanitarianism. Because, of course, Oprah wouldn’t have it any other way.

What I can’t imagine Oprah having? Uncle Ben’s rice in her kitchen. But apparently the quick rice (which I remember as a boiling bag, but now apparently comes in a microwave version) has been given the Art Smith seal of approval, because today’s Quickfire is all about the rice. Padma tells the cheftets that speed and accuracy are essential in today’s cooking, then gives them 15 minutest to create a fabulous meal with the help of their favorite uncle (Ben, get it?)

The chefs run around like crazy, and how can I blame them? I scramble every night between getting home and the kids’ homework time trying to prepare something for dinner – and I know ahead of time exactly what I’m going to do. SO I am quite impressed with all the efforts today. Not surprisingly, Dale goes for an Asian dish, while Steph makes seafood pancakes using scallops and rice. She confesses that she hasn’t tasted her food, which of course is always a no no.

Spike makes a stuffed tomato dish, while Antonia makes a cool salad/warm rice combo with skirt steak that her mom used to make her as a child. Richard does a tuna steak, Lisa does a southwest dish and Nikki goes with fried rice with veggies. Andrew presents a wild rice-crusted fish with pesto, and Mark serves up a miso-glazed turkey breast with (what else?) rice.

Mark, Steph and Lisa end up on the bottom of this challenge, while Antonia,
Dale and Richard are the top three. Though I think Dale’s grilled scallops and pineapple fried rice sound absolutely delish, but Art goes for Antonia’s blend of hot and cold and hands her immunity.

UP NEXT: Kids in the kitchen…..and talk about budget cuisine!

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Rice on the Run

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