The Challenge
Gordon announces two challenges tonight, and two more cooks will leave before next week’s finale. What, did I hear that right? This Semi-Final is no joke, tasked with two back-to-back challenges, and two people will be cooking for the last time in the MasterChef kitchen.
The first challenge is the last Mystery Box this season. We must reconstruct a recipe of our choosing from ONLY a restaurant review.
The Review
The Restaurant Review states, "The hero of the dish had a smokey flavor—punches of both citrus and umami were tasted throughout the sides, and the sauce was sweet and spicy."
Now, we are all scratching our heads. My mind races as I conjure up my dish. Gordon says the review is missing one key ingredient: our imagination. With just 45 minutes, Gordon yells, "Your clock starts now!" Game on!!
I like the idea of pork and smokey flavors, so I grab a pork loin and head straight to get the smoking gun and dome.
Smokey
I started making my smoked pork loin by dredging it in a smokey rub consisting of smoked paprika, red chili, salt, black pepper, and cumin. I shoved it under the smoking dome and fired some apple wood chips while preparing the sides. I wanted as much smoke as possible to permeate the raw loin before pan-searing it for the best smokey flavor possible.
Sweet and Spicy Citrus and Umami
I knew my famous heirloom spicy tomato jam would translate from the review into the perfect sweet and spicy sauce for the pork. My citrus couscous would be the ideal starch for the dish, and I finished the plate with sautéed mushrooms for umami.
A Word Game, "Culinary Mad Libs"
This is another challenge where solving puzzles and word games comes in handy. Gordon calls it cooking like "culinary mad libs." I see poor Murt struggling in the pantry to formulate a dish. Later, he said he felt like he had crickets in his head! I feel like that a lot, too, Murt! Some of the other challengers are also struggling with this mad lib cook, but I'm confident I followed the review and that my flavors are spot on!
Fastest 45 Minutes EVER!
Whew, that was the fastest 45 minutes yet! It flew by, so I had no time to see what my challengers were making. Judging begins...here we go!
Kamay
First up is Kamay with her smokey turmeric chicken thigh, saffron jasmine rice, blood orange Swiss chard, and jug sauce with anchovy paste. I was very concerned about her flavors marrying with so many unusual components, but in grand Kamay style, she pulled it off, and the judges loved her dish. Now, I want to taste that dish!
Murt
Next is Murt's smokey salt chicken thigh with spicy, creamy mushroom sauce, mushroom and parsnip puree, and grilled pineapple arugula salad. The judges say it's confusing and not cohesive. Joe says the protein and sauce are good, but the rest of the dish missed the mark.
Rebecka
I'm following with my smoked pork loin, spicy tomato jam, citrus couscous, and sauteed mushrooms. The judges loved the idea of my spices in the dry rub, and I smoked my protein perfectly. Gordon says the combination is absolutely bang on! AarĂłn says the sauce is exceptional and a beautiful marriage, and Joe chimes in, saying that my pork is flavorful and that each element of my dish was a hit.
Michael
Michaels up next with his smokey striped sea bass, jasmine rice, chili peanut topping, coconut broth sauce, blistered tomato, bok choy, red peppers, and shrimp. Gordon says the dish has a lot going on, and the one big thing missing is self-edit! Joe says the dish is good but is half of a menu.
Becca
Becca comes up for judging last with her smokey-seared rib eye, citrus orzo, soy-glazed asparagus, and sweet and spicy soy sauce. AarĂłn says the dish looks odd regarding her choices, and the asparagus is hammered. Gordon says the meat has a great sear and the orzo is tasty, but AarĂłn chimes back in, saying there were so many other ways to go and the orzo was not a good choice. Joe references Becca's lack of knowledge of global cuisine. Whew! That was brutal.
Top Three
Kamay, Rebecka, and Michael, it's a fantastic feeling to still be in the game and in the Top Four! I was so excited that I bolted for the stairs when Gordon said to head up to the balcony!
Going Home
After a brief deliberation, the judges have made a decision. Murt is the next chef leaving the competition. Gordon says his dish “missed the mark” tonight, but he “lights up the kitchen.” We’ll miss him!
That's the truth. Murt, you're a champ in my book. You have grown so much from our first days in the MC kitchen, and I'll cook alongside you any day.
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