Challenge Me

God created all of us to be challenged, my first post is about a fun cooking challenge I took on. However life is full all kinds of challenges and I would like this blog to be an opportunity to share some of these challenges as I go through them. Right now thankfully God has given me a break from life's more serious challenges allowing me to take on some fun challenges.

So in the meantime I would like to offer to let you, my blog followers (however small a group you may be) challenge me.  The guide lines for these challenges are that it be or cooking or baking challenge, and something on a budget. You come up with the rest of the rules.  Leave a comment with my challenge and I will attempt to take it on!

I look forward to the challenges that you send my way.

Appetizer Challenge

Last week my daughter, Laell and I were watching an episode of "Worst Cooks in America". (http://www.foodnetwork.com/worst-cooks-in-america/teamwork/index.html). In this episode the contestants were challenged to create 35 stuffed baked potatoes, with a topping of their choice, and 35 of another appetizer chosen by their chefs (either Anne Burrell or Bobby Flay). They had 90 minutes to complete this task.

I immediately felt challenged, I said to my daughter "I want to do that". After a bit of discussion it was decided that I would attempt this in my own kitchen with my family watching. I would choose the toppings for the potato and Laell would choose the other appetizer. I am not allowed to know what the other appetizer is until 10 minutes before my time starts.

I was so excited about doing this I shared it with my other daughter Andria. She then suggested I could blog about it. So here I am. In a few short minutes, with my kitchen being stocked with all the necessary ingredients, I will begin my challenge.

*Four Hours Later*

And...I'm done.

The appetizer chosen for me was deep fried ravioli (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/fried-ravioli-recipe/index.html), thanks for the recipe Giada from Food Network!

I began by putting my potato's in the oven. While those were baking I began to prepare the ravioli.

I started deep frying the ravioli in batches. While they cooked I began to prepare the filling for the potato's.

The recipe for the potatoes was as follows:
                    
                      17 red potatoes (bake first)
                      Half large onion diced
                      1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
                      1 lb of sliced deli roast beef chopped
                      .5 lb provolone cheese chopped
                      Milk and butter
                      Salt and Pepper to taste (unfortunately I forgot these in my challenge)

Saute mushrooms and onions.  Hollow potatoes, place shells on baking sheet.  Mix inside of potato with rest of ingredients (milk and butter to sight) fill shells with mixture, re-bake for about 5 minutes at 350 (although I didn't bake them quite long enough.)

I had an added challenge, Andria can not eat mushrooms or cheese so I first mixed meat and onions together in one bowl and in another bowl, all ingredients.

Now the timer is going off and the potatoes have to come out of the oven. I get a bit concerned, I still have a lot to do and time is a ticking away.

I pulled out the potatoes and stabbed them with a fork and they appeared to be done. While the potato's cool I return to the stove and finish up the ravioli.

 Look at those beauties, Mmmm. OK stop admiring your handy work you still have to finish the potatoes and you only have "What 20 minutes left?!" better get at it.

I mixed the potato filling and filled the shell's, and placed it all in the oven. I was feeling like I was running out of time so I only let them heat for 2 minutes. Removed them from the oven and I was done.

                       

I did complete the challenge with 6 minutes to spare.

However in my haste to finish (and not listening when I was told I had 8 minutes left) I took my potato's out of the oven a bit soon. The ones with the larger amount of potato left in the shell were slightly under-done. An offense that would have gotten me sent home if I were not already home. 

My family watched me, timed me and encouraged me on, for which they were rewarded with eating the yummy appetizers. Everyone enjoyed them and even had seconds and the only negative comment was that they were not seasoned quite enough. I guess if I were ever on a challenge show these would be the judges to have.
All in all it was a fun experience and turned out great.