One of my favorite shows is the original Iron Chef. I love watching the Iron Chefs, like Chen Kenichi, Hiroyuki Sakai and Morimoto, express their creativity though food. The Iron Chefs, and many of their challengers, took secret ingredients -- ranging from cilantro to wagyu beef -- to create amazing dishes. This show provides part of the motivation for me to try my hand at making one-of-a-kind dishes, although those dishes rarely, if ever, rise to the level of what was prepared and presented by the Iron Chefs.
Nevertheless, my love of cooking propels me to challenge myself to be an Iron Chef. Every once in a while, I pick an ingredient and try to come up with three dishes that feature the ingredient. While I may consult recipes for some basic guidance in developing the dish, I try not to use them during the cooking process in order to truly pressure myself into making dishes that, for better or worse, I can call my own.
I call the events my "Iron Chef Night." Some of those nights are lost to time, because I did them before I actively maintained this blog. I intend to include all future Iron Chef Nights, with recipes for all of the dishes. Here are the Iron Chef Nights that I have done so far ...
Episode 7: Octopus
Tako Su (Octopus Salad)
Grilled Octopus with Ancho Honey Sauce
Hawaiian Octopus Poke
Episode 6: Radish Sprouts
Watermelon Salad with Cilantro, Radish Sprouts and Feta
Mexican Avocado Spread Flatbread with Radish Sprouts
Sesame-Marinated Salmon with Radish Sprout Broth
Watermelon Salad with Cilantro, Radish Sprouts and Feta
Mexican Avocado Spread Flatbread with Radish Sprouts
Sesame-Marinated Salmon with Radish Sprout Broth
Episode 5: Vidalia Onions
Shrimp and Vidalia Onions in White Wine Marinade
Caramelized Vidalia Onion and Roasted Garlic Bisque
Soft Shell Crab with Tomato Onion Salsa
Avocado Onion Salad
Shrimp and Vidalia Onions in White Wine Marinade
Caramelized Vidalia Onion and Roasted Garlic Bisque
Soft Shell Crab with Tomato Onion Salsa
Avocado Onion Salad
Episode 4: Mushrooms
Basque-Style Creamy Mushroom Soup
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Steamed Halibut with Mushrooms
Basque-Style Creamy Mushroom Soup
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Steamed Halibut with Mushrooms
Episode 3: Beef Bone Marrow
Beef Bone Marrow Crostini with Cilantro Salad
Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Bone Marrow and Taleggio Cheese
Grass-Fed N.Y. Strip Steak with Roasted Bone Marrow and
Reunion Pink Peppercorns
Beef Bone Marrow Crostini with Cilantro Salad
Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Bone Marrow and Taleggio Cheese
Grass-Fed N.Y. Strip Steak with Roasted Bone Marrow and
Reunion Pink Peppercorns
Episode 2: Mussels
Asian-Style Mussel Crostini
Grilled Octopus and Mussel Salad within an Herb Salad
Easy Mussels with Fingerling Potato "Frites"
Asian-Style Mussel Crostini
Grilled Octopus and Mussel Salad within an Herb Salad
Easy Mussels with Fingerling Potato "Frites"
Episode 1: Corn
Chilled Corn Soup with Tarragon and Sun Dried Tomatoes
Blue Crab and Corn Salad
Grilled Corn and Tomato Salsa
Chilled Corn Soup with Tarragon and Sun Dried Tomatoes
Blue Crab and Corn Salad
Grilled Corn and Tomato Salsa
Check back every once in a while, as I continue to post new Iron Chef events. Until then, allez cuisine, and
PEACE.
