ALLEZ CUISINE!

Iron Chef ATL/Battle Pasta Shells is a wrap…and I finished a respectable #3 out of 4 competitors. Now some might think that isn’t the best showing, but for someone that was unable to taste their dish to perfect the seasoning and flavors, I’d say that was pretty darn good!

My competitors all brought their A-game. The secret ingredient was not the most inspirational, but we all seemed to deliver a solid dish…there’s only so many things you can do with a pasta shell. Congrats to the new Iron Chef ATL – Keith (how do you food.wordpress.com). He managed to pull off the win by preparing the dessert course:  Sea Shell Pudding. I wish I could have really tasted this one. It looked great and if the empty platter at the end of the event is any indication, I’d say it was delicious. I only picked up a hint of the cinnamon, but from what I could tell from the texture and the spice/flavoring, it was a definite winner! Doesn’t it look yummy?

I prepared Pesto and Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Stuffed Shells. The judges noted that the dish was flavorful, but perhaps a bit too salty. Not altogether unexpected since salty is one of the things I can taste. These days I seem to season food to my taste buds. I’m starting to realize that when I can taste the saltiness of a dish, I’ve taken the seasoning way too far for everyone else. I also seem to do the same thing with cayenne and other chiles/peppers.  Guess I need to identify that fine line that I can’t cross. All in all, I was pleased with the dish I prepared and the positive comments I received.

So I will hope for a more inspiring ingredient for the next competition and I will continue to try and perfect my seasoning levels. If I’m lucky, perhaps I can bring home the trophy next time. — smile —

Until the next battle…Allez Cuisine!

And as always…I am the Tasteless Gourmand!