It's an Egg Challenge!

The kids have always LOVED cooking shows, but now they have discovered reality cooking shows - Top Chef & The Next Food Network Star are weekly family must watches. After listening to Father Roderick at SQPN talk about a great Australian cooking show starring home cooks, I was thrilled to find MasterChef now on here on Fox in the states.  

This week's episode had the competitors cook the perfect egg dish to earn a spot in next week's show.  The kids were fascinated watching as each contestant presented their egg dish to the judges for tasting and critique.  They rooted for the ones they liked and were shocked each time someone was asked to leave.  At one point, Daniel was half jumping on the couch with anticipation as the judges rendered their decision.  He shouted, "I LOVE this show!"  Needless to say, we've set the DVR to record every episode for a weekly family viewing party.

After the show ended, it was decided we needed to have our own egg challenge for dinner tonight.  Each person would be given one (or two) eggs to design the dish as they chose, then we would all taste the dishes. The kids and I talked about it a little throughout the day, making a few plans.  

Brian came home from work at his normal time and the challenge began.  Ashley quickly decided she wanted a fried egg sunny side up with vegetables, Brian wanted a poached egg and I wanted an omelet.  Daniel and Birdie chose scrambled but weren't sure what to put in it.  There was some talk of apples, bananas and honey, but in the end they went the savory route.

Brian got Ashley started cutting her vegetables.  (Boy was she proud to use the big knife!)

Daniel and Birdie each got to crack their own eggs and start adding ingredients.  For the most part they stayed in the comfortable realm of an omelet but then out came the raisins.  Next thing we knew, Daniel was rooting around in the pantry for spices to add.  I offered to help him find one to include in his egg and we settled on paprika as the spice of choice.  When I say they got to do what they wanted, let's just remind you of our son's love of salt.  Yep, he added it himself.

While Brian was busy cutting his toast into a heart, making his custom hollandaise type sauce to accompany a poached egg, I finally got started on my own custom omelet.

As each dish was completed, we snapped a picture of the dish and the creator. Brian and I were honestly surprised that the kids dishes came out as well as they did.  Especially considering the raisins and paprika in the younger two's creations.   As the tastings went on, each dish was proclaimed "The Best!"  And you know what?  To each of us, they were. 

We can't wait to see what next week's show challenges us to create!