Winning a Master Chef Apron from Gordon Ramsay, Graham & Joe!

Winning a Master Chef Apron from Gordon Ramsay, Graham & Joe!

On June 5th 2012, which was yesterday, the second round of Master Chef Season 3 auditions was telecast on Fox and it was my big day as I was cooking  for the esteemed judges!

We invited some of our close family and friends for a Viewing Party and they all came home to cheer and support me:) I was busy the whole day prepping for my Big day! I kept getting calls from friends and family who were so supportive.I had prepared so much food so all of us could just sit down, relax and eat while we watch the auditions that evening. The second round of Master Chef auditions were to be telecast on Fox at 9pm after Hell’s Kitchen at 8pm EST! And so we all settled down in our couchwith food and drinks and then IT BEGAN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second round of auditions kicked off and suddenly after the emotional shocking exit of Luca, again a very good friend and works as a restaurant manager in New York- there I was! I was shown running out with the most prized possession- the Master Chef Apron towards my husband and my daughters:) I got several calls from family and friends asking me what my Signature dish was and were all eager to know what happened inside when the Master Chef door opens? and what the judges had to say about my Signature dish?

So I definitely wanted to share my experience prior to winning that apron with all of you. So here goes- My Signature dish was a “Spicy Egg Curry with Cashew Peas Pilaf and a Pomegranate Raita”. I basically grew up with this dish which was particularly made often in a place like Kerala where I hail from in the South of India. “Raita” is basically a coolant, it cleanses one’s palette off the spices and has a cooling effect!

I had just one hour to prepare the dish and one would think thats plenty of time but with all the commotion that goes around and fellow contestants cooking, coming towards you and asking you what you are making and what you added and how you plan to plate it – time just flies. There are families of contestants who are eager to watch, some are screaming and cheering, there is so much going on that I think it was very very very hard to focus! Anyway, I managed to finish my dish in one hour and was ready to go! I cooked my rice in the pressure cooker and looked perfect and smelled very nice- filled up the room. Most of my fellow contestants wanted to taste it 🙂 so I thought that was good. Overall, I was pretty confident going in but there still was that little bit of nervousness when the door opens and you still dont know what to expect! As I enter, I wave to all the 3 judges. The judges ask me to introduce myself and I tell them that I am a stay at home mom of 2 girls who used to work as a Microbiologist full time and quit my job to pursue my passion which is Cooking! Graham asked me where I am from and I said- New Jersey and then they asked me “Where are you originally from”? and I said -India. Gordon jumps in and asks me- “Which part of India do you belong ?” and I immediately have this smile and tell him proudly- Kerala! OMG! Gordon wouldnt stop because he loves Kerala and has been there and so he starts talking to me about the place. I keep rambling back and tell them that my mom doesnt feel that cooking is very reputable because back in India, if you are interested in cooking then you are considered a cook or a maid- A BIG NO NO- Not considered a noble profession!

I also tell them that I got to the US after my marriage which was 7 years ago and that my husband worked in NY city!  I also mentioned to them that “Ours was an arranged marriage” and they are all shocked to hear that. Joe even says that its not too late to change my mind LOL! Gordon says” Congratulations on completing 7 years of successful marriage”! and I thank them for their kind words.

OK People, now is the time…..Gordon says looking at the clock your 5 minutes is almost over and my heart jumps out of my chest- I am not even thinking clearly:)

It is so hard to be in that room with the judges and talk and plate at the same time. I was planning to make my “Pomegranate Raita” in front of them.

There was hardly any time left and i was moving like this crazy person trying to toast my spices and plate up my dish. I finally somehow manage and plate my dish! First Gordon walks up to me, tastes, walks back. Next was Graham, who walks up to me and asks me what spices I toasted and if I used fresh Pomegranates? for my Raita.

Lastly, Joe walks towards me and I think al the judges could hear my heart beat -it was that loud. Joe has this intimidating way of looking at you and tasting your dish that it completely freaks me out.

Now up until this point, I had not mentioned to them that I was a Vegetarian and have never cooked or eaten meat. Growing up in India, I was raised a vegetarian and my husband is one too! So I have been a vegetarian for 32 years now. I dont eat any kind of meat or fish:) due to 2 reasons- 1) Religious and 2) because I am against killing of animals:)
I knew what was coming next – Joe Bastianich asked me the question that I was looking to avoid the most:) He said to me” I cant wait till your next challenge and see how you handle it?” Graham asked me how I would cook meat if it was given to me in a challenge and I said to him “I would cook meat but not taste it”

I had to repeat that several times and be assertive that irrespective of whatever happens, my principles do not allow me to taste meat and I wouldnt do it.

So finally Gordon says, YES or NO?everyone……

and he says For me, ITS A YES. He said it was one of the best dishes and authentic curry that he had ever tasted. This was a huge compliment for me!!

Graham said he liked the technique that I displayed in toasting the spices and adding them to the dishes! Graham said he was skeptical about the meat part but solely based on the dish- he gives me a YES!!!YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Finally it was Joe Bastianich’s turn. He also expressed his concern about my Vegetarianism and was trying to intimidate me by saying what if my hands are smothered with blood from some animal 🙁

I was freaking out and all I said to them was” Please give me a chance”

Finally Joe says  the most amazing words to me- “Your plate and dish represents you, it represents finesse and class”!!!!!!

I was weeping like a baby by the time he finished his words………

I had a blast and a great time with the judges and I will cherish those few minutes with them my entire life:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANKS GORDON RAMSAY, GRAHAM ELLIOT AND JOE BASTIANICH FOR PRESENTING ME THE MASTER CHEF APRON AND THE OPPORTUNITY!

I am thrilled to be on the TOP 36! of Master Chef Season 3:)

Please support me by liking me on my Official Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/MC3Nandini and follow me on Twitter at #MC3Nandini

Stay tuned for the recipe of my currylicious Signature Dish: “Spicy Egg Curry with Cashew Peas Pilaf and  Pomegranate Raita” coming up on my blog soon!

My moments and clicks from Master Chef!

My moments and clicks from Master Chef!

Congratulations to every contestant who made it to the Top 100 ! I was told that there were 50 000 hopefuls who auditioned all over the country out of which they chose the top 100 home cooks. And I feel that in itself is a huge accomplishment:)

The amount of passion that every contestant cooked with was immense and I felt shocked and honored at the same time to compete with everyone.

Last night was epic, a blind contestant Christine, a high school student Samantha, 19 year old Michael Chen and Josh who won the hearts of the judges with his Shrimp Étouffée ! He’s the tallest guy I ever came across 🙂 They have all been awesome friends.
I remember that Kelly had to sit up all night to stitch up her dress that got torn somehow in the sets and she was so upset! She mentioned to me that she hardly got any sleep before her auditions of presenting her Signature Dish before the judges:(
Well I also have to mention Victoria Redstall the lady in red dress who writes about serial killers. She visits all the famous jails and interviews and writes about the lives of Serial killers. I had the most fantastic time chatting with her:) and listening to creepy stories!
(I have clicked a picture with her that I have pasted below so you guys know who she is- the woman in red – Victoria Redstall).

And then there was Jason Maur the attorney who can chop slice and cook! Look for him @maurpowerfoodie!We also saw Scott Little get an apron. Lastly, the single mom – how can I not mention my good friend Monti Carlo and her son DANGER. Being a mom of 2 girls myself, I could immediately relate to her and we connected well. She is a great friend and love that kiddo Danger! She s a great single mom, courageous and with a great sense of humor. “for real, shut your mouth” to Graham Elliot is what won her an apron 🙂

Well it was a great night last night but don’t forget to tune in tonight at 9 pm on Fox to watch yet another fun interesting ride with my inspirational judges Gordon, Graham and Joe Bastianich! Tweet me @Curryliciousme or my official Master Chef twitter account which is #MC3 Nandini Anant to let me know your thoughts!

Well good luck to all the contestants who cook tonight!

 

20120605-162028.jpg20120605-162109.jpg

20120605-162428.jpg20120605-162140.jpg

 

 

Do you think Samantha deserved an Apron?

Do you think Samantha deserved an Apron?

Master Chef season 3 airs today June 4th at 9pm on Fox channel and tomorrow Jun 5th as well!

Watch me cook my signature dish tomorrow! Do you think I will get an apron from Gordon, Graham and Joe?

I would love to know what you guys thought about my Signature dishes after you watch the show!

I was blessed to meet some very talented wonderful people at the auditions and I am posting a picture of this person who has become such a good friend of mine. She s none other than Samantha Kate! She s the sweetest girl I have ever met and my roommate! We had such fun throughout the show and I personally thought she should have got an apron:(

Here s a picture of me with Samantha!

Tune in to my blog to view more pictures and interesting stuff from the auditions of Master Chef!

Chao!

You can see my disappointment and my husband s when Sam didn’t get an Apron. Are you kidding me? That Quadruple Carrot Cake was delish!

20120604-231228.jpg

Make Home made Flavored Indian Cottage Cheese/ Paneer in less than 30 minutes from scratch!

Make Home made Flavored Indian Cottage Cheese/ Paneer in less than 30 minutes from scratch!

Have you ever heard of flavored Indian Cottage Cheese, commonly called Paneer??

I always used the store bought Indian Cottage Cheese for the longest time before it struck me its too much of a hassle and maybe I can add my own twist to it at home. This was particularly fun because I tried this during one of my travels and we had literally only a gas burner where we stayed at this guest house!

I wanted to make Paneer from scratch and trust me I thought it was going to be so hard but it came out beautiful at the end of it and if I can do it with just a gas burner, a gallon of milk and some vinegar then so can you!!!!

I always try to incorporate something new to an old recipe so I tried to flavor my Paneer this time with some cumin, coriander powder and my favorite Indian herb which is Fenugreek leaves:)

All you need is:

1 Gallon of Whole Milk/ Low Fat

1 cup of Vinegar

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Coriander powder

1 tsp dried Fenugreek leaves

Mesh Strainer

Clean piece of Muslin Cloth(or any thin clean cloth through which water will pass)

Preparation

As in every case, the more fat your milk contains the end product which is your Indian Cottage Cheese is likely to be creamier than if you use low fat or fat free!

1) Pour milk onto a crock pot and bring it to a boil and immediately lower the gas as you see it boil!

I told you I had the bare minimum to work with:(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Add cumin, coriander powder and the dried fenugreek leaves to the milk and stir well so that it blends into the milk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Now add the Vinegar slowly into the milk stirring continuously but gradually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) You will see the milk curdle almost instantaneously but give it some time to curdle completely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Pour this mixture through a muslin cloth to separate the water from the curdled milk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6) Drain out all the excess water carefully without burning your fingers:) through the muslin cloth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7) Tie a knot and squeeze gently through a strainer to take out all remaining water. I used a strainer in this step so that even if the crumbled cheese manages to escape through the cloth I can still get it in the strainer:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8) I wanted to use something to weigh over this knotted cottage cheese so I used a steel vessel(the only one that I could get a hold of!) that would serve the purpose and let it rest undisturbed for about 10 minutes or so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9) Open it up after atleast 10 minutes and you will see the beautiful Indian Cottage Cheese staring at you:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use your home made Indian cottage cheese in curry. You can also refer to my recipe: Creamy Cottage Cheese Curry Prepared in a Wok. I would appreciate your feedback and thanks much. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My spicy Tomato Soup with Lentils & Freshly ground black peppercorns

My spicy Tomato Soup with Lentils & Freshly ground black peppercorns


Its been raining and I feel like making a hot bowl of my spicy currylicious tomato soup but with a twist as always! LENTILS:) yes, I add some lentils to my tomato soup. The room fills up with flavor and fragrance of the spices that I add to it which makes it spicy as well. It’s Currylicious and healthy on a rainy day like today and the best for stuffy congested sinuses! Check out the recipe in my recipe section!