Mastering the art of food

     I don't often mention television programmes here but I must talk about Masterchef, which we've been watching with increasing amazement and admiration at the talent of the finalists. For those unfamiliar with it, it's a cooking competition run over several weeks which demands not only a high level of skill and inventiveness but the ability to cope with service in a professional kitchen. Contestants were put through ever more varied and challenging tests from feeding a squad of soldiers in high humidity in the Belizean jungle to cooking for some of the world's top chefs at a formal dinner.

     The three finalists, James, Emily and Jonny were quite outstanding - Emily in particular showed a fantastic imagination for food with complex taste combinations and brilliant presentation, while the competition seemed to bring out Jonny's abilities and let him discover just how far he could go. James, the eventual winner, shone from the start as a natural and instinctive chef with the technical skill to underpin his gift, and watching him and his fellow competitors at work was quite inspiring.

     I can't pretend to match the Masterchefs or come anywhere close, but here's the quick pasta sauce I made last night when I remembered I'd forgotten about these Jerusalem artichokes ( which came from David, our veg. man ) and thought I ought to use them. I peeled and steamed them for seven or eight minutes, and while they were cooking I set some chopped leeks and garlic to soften gently in olive oil. I then sliced the artichokes and put them into a very hot griddle pan with some smoked bacon until they developed caramelised stripes, and meanwhile I added a little cream and a splash of cider to the leeks. The combination worked!

Comments

[Peter the Flautist]

Emily was astounding, no question about that and if I had the money I'd commission a dinner party from her tomorrow. I think in terms of running a commercial operation day-in day-out the correct winner was chosen.

Cornflower would succeeed far better in this competition than I would for she is a proper cook (i.e. can make something delicious from a given set of ingredients) whereas all I can do is to follow a good recipe competently. I think I may have some skill in finding good recipes however. I would fall down at the first eliminator unless I was very lucky with the ingredients provided.

Dark Puss

[Margaret Powling]

I'm glad that others - Cornflower included - were enthralled by this series. I even liked the co-presenters, Greg and John, who know what they're talking about unlike a lot of programme presenters. And yes, the 'correct' winner was chosen although I am sure that Emily and Jonny will go on to further their cooking ambitions. Well done all of them.

[Julie]

Isn't it just *brilliant* telly! The music! The voiceovers! The catchphrases! THE SHOUTING! And, of course, the food!
For me the highlight of the whole series was the food critics who all looked like they had been sucking lemons. Surely if you made your living from tasting yummy food all day you'd look a bit happier?
May I wish all Cornflower readers great weekends filled with Nice Clean Plates of Food...

[Rhys]

I got hooked too! I wanted Emily to win for sheer guts apart from anything else!

[Lesley]

I've been absolutely glued to the t.v. screen with Masterchef. I don't think I've seen such an amazing trio of finalists before. They really were quite incredible.
And I don't believe I've ever seen John Torode be quite so emotional as he became over Emily. Brilliant series, and highly inspirational for those of us who cook for a living.

[tara]

Your pasta sauce sounds fantastic. I'm ashamed to tell you I've bought Jerusalem artichokes twice now and not cooked them. Each time, when I begin looking at recipes, I read about the unpleasant side effect this vegetable has...and get scared away.