KristiB50

I'm a film buff so I really liked this challenge. Although I probably would have gone with a foodie movie like Big Night. The Cook the Thief, His wife and Her Lover would be interesting. Thank you to whoever talked Andrew out of presenting his dish as an Ooompa Loompa. Poor Manuel didn't stand a chance. He should have pushed harder for Like Water for Chocolate.

I wish Eric would have told Rick Bayless that Mexican food isn't fine dining. I hear you on the product placement in the peoples homes. How did they find that much Velveeta? Oh wait! As Zoi says, "it's middle America." OK so now they're tasting the food(I couldn't play that drinking game) but they don't think about how it will travel? Edited for spelling

I played also, but I added drinking every time there was a shot of a GE emblem, RAV 4 symbol, Gladware, etc, etc. I'm still hungover. ← Playing the Logo Game is hardcore!!!

I think Gorilla's are omnivores, although probably not the one's at Lincoln Park Zoo... ← According to This site they occasionally eat bugs and grubs.

When Valerie said she was making blini's ahead of time I thought, "Oh nooooo...!!!" And were they saying "Bellini?" as in the drink? Gorilla's should have done a vegetarian menu. If I were on that team I would have fought for that! Then been edited to look like a beyotch but I would have been right! Oh and did anyone else squeal at Rick Bayless in next weeks previews? Also loved that the poll on the show concluded Tom is a bear:D

I do rather enjoy Last Restaurant Standing ... hopefully Chopping Block will live up to it's UK roots. But "original" ... um, no. ← Yeah Last Restaurant Standing came to my mind too.

Full story HERE

Lot's of faux-hawks and cussing. The right person went home. I don't think I could have tolerated Nimma's whining for very long. She had a personality in her audition tape but it disappeared on the show. She's a Muslim who lives with her parents so I think the, "I'm not going to have any fun" comment was for their benefit. They probably told her she could go on the show as long as she didn't make as ass of herself. The funniest moment for me was after the judging the bald guy said, "they didn't like my nachos." and the other guy said, "I breaded chicken." I don't think having a couple on is unfair. I think BRAVO is hoping for some drama when one starts to edge out the other. Although I noticed Zoi and Jennifer are going to have their own blog on the Top Chef site. It isn't up yet though. Padma has a video blog. She said the pizza challenge was the hardest digestively because they tasted each pizza twice-hot and cold to see if it held up. Someone should have made a whole grain crust so they could get some fiber!

I've been on a fish kick Shrimp Ragu Lemon Basted Trout with Spanish style grilled vegetables Shrimp my way(actually a Mark Bittman recipe) on a bed of greens with roasted cauliflower Evil Jungle Prince

Starts Wed March 12 Official site: http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/4/about/index.php

Here's some random past dinners Mac and Cheese Stir Fried Tempeh with Spinach and Thai Basil Spicy Chicken Salad West African Peanut Soup

Monday Dec 10 http://travel.discovery.com/tv/bourdain/bo...in-holiday.html

Fantastic show and I loved Eric Ripert as Santa! I liked that it was all about the food and not about the drama. Poor Sandee seemed out of her league though. I really wanted to see Tiffany win!

On my drive to meet a friend for lunch today, I caught a bit of Diane Rehm's interview with Paula Dean on NPR. OMG! It was embarrassing to listen to! I kept thinking, "CRAP! Do folks thinks she represents Southern women (especially those of us who COOK)???" ← Good lord I heard that interview too!!! I really think it's an act and I felt sorry for Diane. I loved the way Paula danced around the callers asking her about Smithfield.

I saw a commercial during Project Runway. It airs 12/6 and I'm sure there will be multiple reruns. Past contestants battle with holiday food. I hope Marcel gets an immersion circulator The episode will feature Stephen Aspirinio and Tiffani Faison from Season One; Betty Fraser, Marcel Vigneron, and Josie Smith-Malave from Season Two; and Chris "CJ" Jacobson, Tre Wilcox, and Sandee Birdsong from Season Three Anyway, it HAS to be better than the craptastic Iron Chef America Holiday show with Paula Deen, Cat Cora, Tyler Florence and Robert Irvine. ***shudders at memory***

Paula's cackling got on my last nerve. She almost acted drunk. I don't have a sweet tooth(I'm a salt girl) so the food did nothing for me. I've heard of Velveeta fudge but have never had it.

Robert Irvine and Tyler Florence vs Cat Cora and Paula Deen according to TiVo. I think Batali has been in Spain filming his PBS show with Gwyneth Paltrow.

"Do you even know what you are talking about? Have you ever had a properly applied hot oil treatment and straightening?" That whole thing about the lobster roll cracked me up. ← Me too. I'm too much of a smartass to put up with Hairball Knowlton. Bravo to Donatella for not kicking him in the nads.

I knew Cosentino was going home because during the commercial break they showed a preview of next weeks show with Besh and Symon.

Michael Symon talks about the challenge on the forums at cleveland.com Link to forum HERE His username is mdsymon

ITA about Moreau. Sanchez doesn't listen to the rules either as demonstrated by his, "I can't put this on my plate!?" demonstration last week. I think he'll be going soon though.

I know! I keep saying I'm not going to watch again yet there I am searching for the next episode on TiVo.... With the grill and airline challenge they're definitely copying Top Chef. Knowlton annoys worse than TC's Gail. I didn't think it was possible. I wish they'd gotten Jeffrey Steingarten to judge. I love his commentary on ICA.

Tonight I cooked from Gourmets Latin issue for my blog Mixiote De Carne (beef short ribs roasted in banana leaves and a guajillo/achiote sauce) with tomatillo guacamole and Mexican Rice. In the banana leaf Out of the leaf For dessert: Sighs of the Bride with Mixed Fruit in Cinnamon Lime Syrup. Odd I can't find the picture on my hard drive but it's on my blog...

Overall I think the show is boring. Besh and Symon have the best personalities for TV.

With that many pomegranates, have you tried making a pomegranate reduction/syrup? There are a lot of uses for that, too. ← Yes I have! Question: do the seeds freeze well? I meant to try it last year and didn't gt around to it.