Chopped... Family Style

Started in the Ginos home, and continued in the Montierth, this television show has become a favorite to recreate in our home kitchen. Since we don't have three kitchens, everyone who wants to participate crowds in the kitchen together. For those of you not familiar with the television show, you get three mystery ingredients and access to the fridge and pantry, with  which to make a dessert, entree or appetizer. We are a little more lenient, and instead of the 1/2 hour time constraint, we let our contestants use up to an hour and 1/2.

 Grandpa Dale and Ben in Sept 2009

The first year, is a little foggy, but we will never forget Dad (Grandpa's) pumpkin and goat milk dessert. Grandma took one bite of it, spewed it out and said "This tastes like Ben".

 Ben, Mei and Afton May 2012

Skip ahead a few years, Rich and Grandpa decided that this would yet again be a fun family activity. Grandma agreed to go to the store and buy some ingredients. This year we would have three participants; Grandpa Dale, Rich and Aunt Logan.

The Mystery Ingredients:

Vienna Sausages, Refrigerator Biscuits, Dried Plums, Cream Cheese, and Salt-Water Taffy

The Challenge:

To transform these ingredients into a tasty dish(es) that the judges (Afton, Grandma Tammy, and Courtney) find delicious. It could be an appetizer, entree, and/or dessert.  

Meet the Judges:

    Grandma Tammy: Mother of 5, Grandmother of 14, Occupation: homemaker/ BBQ Queen

    Courtney: Mother of 4 (soon to be 6), Occupation: Baby Cooker

    Afton: Age 6, Aspiring adult, Fairy hunter

Let the Games Begin:

     Contestant #1 - Richard Montierth, age 30, father of 4, occupation Contracts Attorney 

 In his own words: "vienna sausage and spinach in a buttermilk biscuit, with an aoili sauce and strawberry salad"

 Our overachiever then continued on with a dessert. 

 In his own words we have: "a cotton candy taffy cheesecake with a prune almond crust"

Judges Reactions:

     Grandma Tammy - She was impressed with the spicing of the meat, but the salad was dry. With the dessert, she thought the sauce tasted better than it looked, and the crust was good.

     Courtney - I thought the aoili sauce was really good. I thought he had a good use of the prunes in his dessert. 

     Afton - "I like the biscuits, and strawberries and carrots". With the dessert, she said it kinda tasted like honey and went on to eat three servings. 

Contestant #2 - Aunt Logan, age 22, single, occupation unemployed (don't worry, she found a job a week later)

 In her own words: "vienna sausage burrito with cilantro, black bean, peppers, cheese and a chipotle dressing"

She also went on to make a dessert of monkey bread with prunes and almonds, with a root beer taffy sauce on top.

Judges Reactions:

Grandma Tammy - She was surprised. It was quite tasty and had a good balance of flavors. 

Courtney - I said "I can taste the sausage, but glad it was covered up with the beans."

Afton - "I don't even taste the beans" (This is huge for her, Afton hates beans)

We lost the notes on the dessert, but I'm sure it was tasty because she is more of a pastry chef than a chef

Contestant #3 - Grandpa Dale, age ? (we can't count that high), father of 5, grandfather to 14, occupation, self employed, BBQ enthusiast

 In his own words, brace yourself, he's thorough: "An old favorite, Pig-in-a-Blanket, stuffed with cheese, greek seasoning and a little plum. Over the top is a nice 'smooth' plum sauce with watermelon taffy." Sides included: "roasted potatoes, with a little char on the carrots, a green salad, with a greek, plum, honey dressing." As the judges were smirking at the elaborate descriptions and the chunkiest 'smooth' plum sauce ever, he replied with a "Don't laugh, taste it!"

Judges Reactions:

Grandma Tammy - Didn't care for the dressing, but the carrots and potatoes were excellent. She liked the Pigs-in-a-Blanket.

Courtney - I thought the sauce was excellent, but did not go well with the sausage. The roasted vegetables were fantastic.

Afton - Didn't like the salad dressing, but liked the Pigs-in-a-Blanket.

And the Winner is......

Grandpa Dale: Best Plating, Did the Most with the Ingredients

Richard: Best Use of the Vienna Sausage

Aunt Logan: Tastiest Dessert

We are looking forward to a round 3!!!!!!!!!!!!