OUR FIRST MYSTERY BOX CHALLENGE
My heart raced as I faced my first mystery box challenge in the MasterChef kitchen. I lifted the heavy lid with high stakes, but to my surprise, no food was inside. Instead, a sepia-toned photograph of my childhood made me feel like the little wide-eyed girl I was seeing.
The Challenge?
Bake to the Future - Mystery Box Challenge: Create a restaurant-worthy dish from your childhood that exemplifies your Generation. The winner of the challenge gets an immunity pin, is safe from elimination in the next round, and saves their entire team.
Split Second Decision
In less than a split second, I knew immediately I would make my Blackberry Hoisin Meatloaf, drawing inspiration from my mother's cherished recipe, a staple on our weekly menu growing up. The ketchup topping, that quintessential Boomer touch, holds a special place in my heart and tummy.
My restaurant-worthy dish is an adaptation of Mom's meatloaf recipe. This recipe was born several years ago while experimenting with flavors for my first World Food Championship competition. To my delight, it propelled me to the top of the pack in 2015 as I placed fourth in the Bacon World Championships on my very first attempt. I eagerly anticipate recreating this dish for the astute MasterChef judges, hoping they'll love it as much as I do.
Umami
The blackberries balance the umami flavors of hoisin sauce perfectly combined with minced garlic, grated ginger, and a mixture of ground beef and pork. The grilled baby bok choy is perfect; its tender leaves add freshness and crunch. For a touch of heat, I sliced up some potato spears, added a flourish of Gochugarou Flakes, and roasted them until crisp.
In The Top
Standing with me at the top are Sunshine with her Braised Lamb Shank, Adam with his Fried Peach Pie, and Kamay with her Crispy Chicken Thighs.
Gordon says he never thought he’d f-ing say he loves the plating of a meatloaf, but this looks delicious. He praised the tenderness and flavor profile of the meatloaf, praising the harmonious balance of sweet and savory elements from the blackberry hoisin glaze. "It's spicy, it's rich, it's really good. Well done!"
Aaron praises the exotic nature of the Chinese five spice and says, "Probably the best Bok Choy I've had in a long time!"
Joe admits that he hates meatloaf and hasn't eaten it since he was a child watching the Brady Bunch, but he says, "This is something I want to eat." Joe says everything is delicious and calls it “retro and modern at the same time.”
Gordon's final verdict still echoes in my ears: " Rebecka, mark my words; this meatloaf recipe will go viral."
Unanimous
It's unanimous: all four judges picked my meatloaf over the other contestant's dishes because it met the challenge's expectations. WOOT!
The Only 'Lady Boomer' Saves the Team
With my immunity pin securely fastened to my white apron, I save my entire generation as the only "Lady Boomer!" You could hear Horacio's booming voice over the cheers, "Rebecka, you saved us!" as they made their way to me at the front. We all stride confidently to the balcony, the first to earn a significant advantage in the next round and personal safety from elimination in the next challenge.
As Seen On
MasterChef Mystery Box Challenge: "Create a restaurant-worthy dish from your childhood." This recipe is similar to the one seen on MasterChef but has been modified with some variations and additions.
Blackberry Hoisin Meatloaf
Equipment
- 1 Sheet pan lined with Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch ginger peeled and minced
- 2 green onions white and green parts finely sliced
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup tomato ketchup
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb lean ground pork
- 1 cup soft breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil more for the baking tray and hands for making loaves
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon black soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon prepared Blackberry Hoisin Sauce
Blackberry Hoisin Sauce
- 1 cup fresh blackberries More reserved for garnish
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ½ cup blackberry jam
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon gochugaru or chili flakes
Instructions
- For the Blackberry Sauce
- Wash and pat dry blackberries. Cook in a sauce pan over medium heat
- Add hoisin, ketchup, blackberry jam, brown sugar, water, and chili flakes to the fresh blackberries. Cook until thick. About 12-18 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve.
For the Meatloaf
- In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and milk. Mix well and allow the crumbs to bloom for 5 minutes before adding to the meat mixture
- Add ground pork, beef, chopped onions, spices, egg, hoisin, and ketchup in a large bowl. Add the bread and milk mixture and stir unit the meat mix comes together. Don't over-mix.
- Form equal portions of meat into large mounds. Arrange meat loaves on the parchment-lined tray, leaving about an inch between. Bake in 400F preheated oven for 18-20 minutes. Remove and brush with more sauce. Return to the oven and cook until the center reads 165F
Kathy
Do you use soft bread or panko for the bread crumbs? I want to make this immediately, looks amazing!
athomewithrebecka
Yes, I used panko and soaked it in the milk. Thanks for asking. I hope you like the recipe as much as I do!
Hallie Burgess
Rebecka!
You are absolutely AMAZING! I have been re-watching MasterChef Generations over and over. This is my fourth time watching the episode where you win immunity with your meatloaf dish! Watching you on the show is the absolute best! I love your overall composure and energy. I know it would be a blast to spend time with you and cook beside you. It looks like you guys were all truly acting like family and supporting each other even though it was a competition. This is the most genuine season of MasterChef I have seen. Because of my age, I would be in the group Gen Z, and I know I would have looked up to you just like all of the other Gen Z team members did throughout the season. I loved when you were Team Captain in the quarry episode. You are Horatio cracked me up! I love how you have a blog and give insight to the episodes, and it’s hard to believe I am able to send you a message! I look forward to reading more of your posts! Love you, Boomer!
athomewithrebecka
Hi Boomer!
Wow, your message just made my day! 😊 I’m so thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed watching MasterChef Generations and my journey on the show. Winning immunity with my meatloaf dish was such a memorable moment for me, and I’m glad it resonated with you, too.
Being Team Captain during the quarry episode was definitely a challenge, but having such a supportive and fun team made it all worthwhile. Horatio and the rest of the team really did feel like family, and I’m so happy that came across on screen.
It’s amazing to hear that you feel a connection with me and the show. Cooking alongside passionate people like you would be an absolute blast! I’m honored to have inspired you and other Gen Z members. Your support means the world to me, and I’m excited to share more insights and stories on my blog.
Thank you so much for reaching out and for your kind words. Keep in touch, keep cooking, and following your culinary dreams! 💖
Love, Rebecka
Kita
How long do you cook the blackberries and other items that make the blackberry hoisin sauce?
athomewithrebecka
Hi Kita, The blackberry hoisin sauce takes about 12-18 mins to cook. I strain it then return to a clean pot and keep warm. Let me know how it turn out for you! I’ll add the cook time to the recipe. Sorry for the inconvenience❤️ Best regards, Rebecka
Diane Moore
This recipe is a bit off as the blackberry hoison sauce tells you to add ketchup, but there is no ketchup in the ingredients, and there is no oven temperature listed, but it tastes great!
athomewithrebecka
Diane, Thank you for letting me know! I handle everything myself, from recipe creation to video, and post edits, so things can slip through the cracks. I’m thrilled you liked the flavors, and I’ve made the necessary adjustments to the recipe. Mistakes happen, and I’m always learning and improving. Thanks again, for visiting today and taking the time to make my recipe! Happy Cooking, Rebecka
Rj
I made this for my family tonight and it got two thumbs up from everyone! For me, the prep time was longer than 10 minutes and a lot of work, but I can’t imagine my family ever eating meatloaf any other way. We loved it!
athomewithrebecka
Thank you, Rj; I'm thrilled your family enjoyed the meatloaf. Thanks for letting me know about your insight into prep time. I've made it so many times that the prep seems to fly by. I will adjust the recipe to allow for more prep time. I see you also tried my Asian cucumber salad; they complement each other perfectly. I appreciate you following up with me after making the dish! Happy cooking! Rebecka
athomewithrebecka
This recipe surprised me, too, but I'm crazy for vinegar dressings; I'm so happy your family enjoyed it! Thank you! I'm always open to trying new recipes, so if you're willing, I'd love for you to share your favorite version! Happy Cooking, Rebecka
Dolly Anne
Delis super a real winner #1
athomewithrebecka
So tasty! xoxo