masterchef semi finals (sort of)

Pans at the ready, judging hats steady, let's get cooking (sort of).

This week, you get to be Gregg. Or John. Or Simon. Or that one with the funny eyebrows from Dancing on Ice. Whichever reality TV judging style takes your fancy, really.

For those who aren't sure what we're wittering on about, a couple of weeks ago we launched our own version of innocent Masterchef. All you had to do was tell us your favourite veg recipe for a chance to then come in for a cook off in our kitchen, Masterchef stylee.

We've picked our favourite innocent Masterchef hopefuls, so the next bit is down to you.

Just have a quick read of our sort of semi finalists below and then vote for your favourite.

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1. Jo’s Tuscan fish soup

Pop a bunch of shellfish in a large pan, chuck in 2 tins of chopped tomatoes, half a pint of veg stock and simmer until the mussels have opened (throw out any that stay closed - they are clearly evil). Add 2 pots of Tuscan Bean Stew and simmer for a few minutes until heated through. Season and serve with big hunks of warm, crusty bread for a great wintery lunch.

2. Claire’s tamarind, chickpea & spinach curry

Toast a mixture of nigella, cumin and fennel seeds, add some chopped red onion and cook over low heat. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes, tin of chickpeas, 1tsp of turmeric and paprika and 3 green chillies (cut into strips), a pinch of brown sugar and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Finally, add spinach and 2 tsp of tamarind paste. Serve with rice, garnished with coriander if you’re fancy.

3. Chris’ Risotto Primavera (in the style of Masterchef)

JT: So what’s on your table, mate?

Chris: Er...some risotto rice, home-made vegetable stock, asparagus, green beans, broad beans, peas, shallots, white wine, a lemon and a chunk of parmesan.

GW: Tell you what John, I LOVE the sound of this – creamy rice, tasty but firm vegetables and rich, rich stock, with that hint of parmesan and lemon,

JT: Sure, Greg, but this simple dish has to be PERFECT. Risotto is so, so simple that anything other than perfection is a disaster waiting to happen.

(Chris cooks amazing dish and submits for approval)

GW: Phworrr. It’s summer on a plate. Lovely asparagus, vibrant green broad beans complemented by peas and green beans. all held together in a perfectly cooked risotto with a lovely. fresh finish. I’d finish the lot and order it again. YUMMY!

4. Laura’s stuffed butternut squash à trois.

1.Balsamic puy lentils – Cook lentils in veg stock, sautee some onion and garlic with thyme, sage and chili. Mix in with lentils, add a generous splash of balsamic vinegar and stuff back in roasted squash.

2. Pop a mix of beetroot, toasted squash seeds and goats cheese inside your roasted squash while it’s still warm for a quick yummy tea.

3. Or simply use a Tuscan Bean Stew veg pot as a stuffing.

5. Roisin’s Spicy Chicken Kare Noodle Soup

The easiest, quickest way to put a fire in your belly. Mix together and heat gently 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 chilli (minced) and the zest and juice of a lime. Add 300ml stock, 200ml coconut cream and a Thai Coconut Curry veg pot to your sauce. Continue to heat gently. Grill one chicken breast until cooked, slice and set to one side. Get some rice noodles on the boil and add a handful of spinach leaves, bamboo shoots and chicken to a bowl. Then pour your Kare soup on top.

6. Nina’s Japanese Croquettes

Take a Sweet Potato Chilli veg pot, mix it with mashed potatoes and mashed peas. Pat mixture into burger shaped thingys and cover in bread crumbs. Fry or bake until golden and crispy. Perfect accompaniment to meat, fish and other veggies.

P.S I'm 13 (14 in March!) AND I LOVE COOKING! My dish serves 2- 4, depending on how hungry you are.

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So there we have it. Six cracking semi finalists but only three places in the final.

Who comes along for the cook off? Who stays at home, weeping big fat chef tears all over their seared tuna? You decide.

Just vote for your favourite and we'll announce the winners next week.

> VOTE HERE <

Oh the power. The power.

Comments

[Croissant]

it's "phwoar" not "phowwr"
we've all read Dante

[JonSmith]

I think to get an accurate representation of Greg Wallace (GW) you must include the phrase "i would happily stick me face in it"

[Sam]

The vote link says it is 'corrupted' when you click on it.

[ted at innocent]

Hi Sam.

Sorry the link you clicked seemed to be corrupted.

Try copying and pasting this one instead and it should be OK.

http://www.clicktools.com/survey?iv=b511f856ba02497

[nina]

will you send me an e-mail when the winners are picked?