Ingredient Madness

Okay. I know I don't know a lot about what ingredients work best with other ingredients but I just have to say, the chefs on the Food Network Channel's show "Chopped" are simply inspirational.

They are given a basket with random food items and must come up with a dish that incorporates all those items. And some of the those items are completely bizarre! Well, to me as a beginner, anyway.

Rabbit, rattlesnake, tapioca pearls (not sure about those), mussels and oxtails to name a few. And they are paired with ingredients that no normal person would even consider putting together. Brussel sprouts and sour cream? Pickles and strawberry jam? Totally outrageous!

But the best part? These incredible people actually make dishes that look good, are edible and for the most part, even delicious! I don't know that I'll actually get to that level or even if I'd want to but it is so very interesting seeing what each one comes up with in their own way. Some of them can be quite creative.

So I watch the show, fascinated, and hope that maybe their creative juices will flow out of the TV and into me. Hey! It could happen!

Thanks for listening!