Snapper Puttanesca with Steamed Clams and Mango Beer Polenta

Beer Necessities-MasterChef: Blue Moon Beer Challenge

The Blue Moon Mystery Box Challenge with Guest Judge Grant Gillon, Season 13 winner of MasterChef, awaits. The challenge? To infuse Blue Moon beer into a recipe of our choosing. Our choices are Mango Wheat, Belgian White, and Light Citrus Wheat.

Simple and Delicious Food

I knew I had to make a perfectly plated dish with tons of flavor to stand up to a beer infusion and wow the judges. I went with my first thought to craft what I envisioned as the perfect match for the Blue Moon Mango Wheat beer for my beer-infused entree: a puttanesca sauce with snapper on a creamy bed of mango beer-infused polenta. I hoped the beer essence of mango would pair well with the acidity of classic puttanesca ingredients, olives, capers, garlic, and tomatoes. The combination proved to be sublime!

Cutting Room Floor Moments...

You may not see this tidbit on the show this week, as so many moments end up on the cutting room floor, but it's just too good not to share.

Joe Bastianch's Unexpected Italian Lesson

Joe, known for his Italian heritage and expertise, shares an unexpected translation with me as he stops by my station to view my dish. I tell Joe my vision for the dish when he asks if I know the meaning of Punttenesca. I had no idea, so I replied, and said no, and continued to cook my dish as Joe proceeded to explain that it translates to 'in the style of the whore'. What? I chuckle and try not to look too shocked as he continues.

Stinking Whore

He said the intense aroma (referring to the “stinking” Latin definition) would lure men from the street into the local house of ill repute.  Thus, the Napolese harlots were characterized as the sirens of the culinary world. He continues, the name derives from the Italian word puttana which means whore. Puttana, in turn, arises from the Latin word putida, which means stinking. His lesson ends abruptly as Joe stands motionless, waiting for my reply!

I was dumbfounded! How was I supposed to respond to that? I replied, "Well, Joe, I hope you like my puttanesca!" Dear Lord!

Joe Has More Wisdom To Share

I found a basket of beautiful clams in the MasterChef pantry when shopping for my dish. I plan to cook them in my puttanesca broth and use them as garnish.

After the Italian lesson, Joe and Aaron see the clams and ask if I plan to sweat them in wine or beer to flavor the broth for my sauce. I reply, "I hadn't thought of that, but now that you said it, I will!" I hurry, grab another pan, some more beer, and do just that!

Look how beautiful the clams look nestled in the sauce and polenta!

MasterChef's Golden Rule: Trust the Judges and Reap Flavorful Rewards

In the high-pressure MasterChef kitchen, I discovered a valuable lesson: when the judges offer advice, it's like culinary gold. Following their guidance almost always pays off one hundredfold.

Judging Begins

Another cook in the MasterChef kitchen has ended, and now we await the final verdict. One of Grant Gillon's questions during the Final Look is whether I put the broth from the clams in the sauce. I say YES and look right at Joe. He winks back, and me! What just happened?

Top Four: Murt, Arthur, Kamay, and Me

Murt is about to explode after being chosen as one of the top dishes tonight. His fish tacos look fantastic, and I know he is thrilled by this achievement. Kamay's dish looks sublime, with vibrant flavors and perfectly cooked protein. Arthur's dish, a beautifully plated cod fish, is highly praised after he encounters some issues during the cooking.

Lady Boomer

Joe announced that the top dish from the Baby Boomers was restaurant-quality, and it was mine! Yippee! I sure hope it's enough to get immunity today!

Gordon says the dish is visually rustic but rustic with charm. The fish is nailed, and the beer in the polenta is a bold move that pays off. It's a joy to taste! WOW! I'm about to shed tears of joy after hearing that praise!

Grant is shocked I could use the mango beer in a traditional Italian dish. It is incredible. This is a rock-star dish! Aaron says, it's firing on all cylinders and Joe exclaims that this dish tastes like his mother's fish brodetto! This dish is amazing! I'm pretty sure my head just exploded!

Bottom Three: Fatima, Jeet, Daniella

Sadly, Fatima goes home from team GenZ with her BBQ chicken dish.

MasterChef Triumph: Praise and Culinary Victory

While all three judges loved my beer-infused recipe, Joe Bastianich's heartfelt compliment by connecting me to his mother's culinary legacy is a moment that will forever transcend the MasterChef kitchen madness. He gave me the highest praise, saying it reminded him of his mom's recipe, one of the highest compliments I could have ever hoped for.

My heart was pounding with excitement and gratitude as I returned to first place with another immunity pin and a significant advantage in the next challenge. Food Contesting is genuinely in my DNA!