SkimIt
Forget Josh's Jerk Chicken, it's a tear-jerking start to the finale of Season 3 of MasterChef as both Christine's and Josh's families are there for support. Josh's kid sister and mother are super-adorable wanting Josh to pursue his dreams, while Christine's husband is so proud of his talented wife who wouldn't let her blindness stop her from keeping on with her culinary ambitions.
The finale episode competing for the prize of $250K, a cookbook publishing contract and the title, MasterChef, started out pretty neck and neck as both Josh and Christine planned their menus in the cuisine closest to their hearts -- and their family ties. Aww ... does anyone else get sentimental watching cooking shows, or is it just me?
The Planet Of The Apps
Josh keeps the judges whispering as he decides to grind some lobster shell in the blender for more flavor. Would you like some potato peels in there too, Josh? Meanwhile, Christine works on a simple looking crab and papaya salad while Josh appears to be trying to invent a new driveway aggregate coating.
Joe, complete with his patented sterned-face look (does this man ever smile?) tastes Josh's Butter-Poached Lobster with Grits and Sweet Potato Puree. After a half an hour of savoring one bite, Joe calls the appetizer "profound and rich." No, that would be "War and Peace," Joe.
Gordon and Joe like the app, but hate that the lobster is undercooked. All three judges can't find anything really wrong with Christine's Thai Papaya Salad with Crab and Mixed Vegetables, but the judges were expecting something a little more complex.
Belly Flop?
Since Christine's entree is pork belly, I wonder if her menu is just not going to be taken as seriously as Josh's menu with it's 1001 ingredients. But, Gordon says Christine's Braised Pork Belly with Rice, Crispy Kale and Maitake Mushrooms is "rustic and delicious," while JOe finds it's a bit on the sweet side.
All three judges enjoy the stunning presentation and perfect doneness of Josh's Rack of Lamb with Green Curry Sauce and Peas with Spring Carrots. (Or is it Spring Peas with Carrots? Either way, I'm feeling hungry watching this!)
Save Your Bacon
For dessert, Christine again plays it simple, while Josh takes the complex approach. She has a Coconut Lime Sorbet and he has a Bacon-Crusted Pecan Pie with Vanilla Cinnamon Ice Cream. Josh even made the ice cream himself and the fact that he used real vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks sends me into an "I scream for ice cream" attack. On the commercial, I raid the freezer and only fine cherry, but that will have to do.
Josh has made a big error by laying cooked bacon inside his pie crust. I would have used bacon-infused lard for the crust. The judges don't like the greasy quality, but go absolutely crazy for the ice cream. Christine has at least added a kind of ginger wafer to her sorbet so it doesn't look that plain. Graham loves the texture, but Joe says he wishes there was more lime flavor. Gordon raves about the "fragrant" coconut.
And The Winner Is ...
Christine! She is so happy and it's cute when Josh's little sis says she's still proud of him anyway and his mom hugs him and says he'll go far in the cooking world. So Christine wins which is amazing on it's own, but this woman is also completely blind so wow, she is setting the bar. Good for her.
Did you love the finale of MasterChef?
