Take Home Chef-new TLC program

[spudugan]

I went on www.tlc.com to post a complaint that Martha isn't broadcast anymore And saw a new show called "Take Home Chef"..anyone watch it yet? What did you think?

[greatcook]

I've caught it once, it's really cute...as is the chef. He's an Australian guy who helps women make special meals for their loved ones. Some of his recipes look yummy. He made carmalized apples once... did you find anything good on the website?

[tidee]

i enjoyed this show a lot. they played two or three episodes in a row one weekend. the website uses java or flash that is beyond my OLD mac. there is a 'kitchen tool' quiz on the site, but i haven't been able to access it yet. maybe someone will post the link and you can see how you all rate.

[tea4one]

I went on www.tlc.com to post a complaint that Martha isn't broadcast anymore And saw a new show called "Take Home Chef"..anyone watch it yet? What did you think?

I have noticed they quit airing Martha and have seen take home chef once. I liked it and would like to watch more episodes.

[spudugan]

i haven't dug into the website for Take Home Chef. Tivo taped an episode which i watched...it was sort of o.k. BUT. the thing i don't really like about some of these reality shows is that more time is spent sort of "eavesdropping on their conversations"....which i guess is supposed to be entertaining....and very little time on really learning anything. You know? So i prefer cooking shows that are more instructional with a laugh here and there from the host and a guest...rather than feeling like i'm wasting my time watching other people enjoy socializing...and learning very little. I guess it really depends on my mood...cause i'll be the first to admit that watching the box for pure mind-numbing relaxation is often on my docket in the evening too.

[MISSINDI]

Hadn't heard of this one before - thanks for the heads up.

[greatcook]

Yes, I am going to watch today at 5 and 5:30...he made a really incredible chocolate sauce last week...anyone have the recepie?

[manetta]

I caught one episode of Take Home Chef a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't finish watching it because I actually became embarassed for the woman the chef accompanied home. She was not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

[Ann1965]

Does this mean Martha is gone for good or just for the season? I like to watch Martha, but I do agree, the Aussie isn't bad on the eyes, he could definitely follow me home!

[spudugan]

i must confess...i've been watching after i first didn't think i would. This time of year most of my FoodNetwork and HGTV shows are repeats...that's the excuse i'm giving Lack of any new foodie alternatives....I'd rather watch repeats of Martha... But back to the show -today...Yvette or something...forcing wine down curtis.....well,,,she's just a trip-i'm actually in the middle of watching via tivo and am wondering if i should just fast forward and/or delete it. Yikes...thank goodness for large t.v. crews to keep him safe. I think i find myself watching the proverbial trainwreck...it's getting so bad you can't stop watching....

ok...what i have liked alot is that he cooks/creates delicious food without much fanfare...like he pops cut fruit in a skillet..pours sugar over it ..no real measuring...lets it caramelize and tadaaaa there you have a fantastic dessert. Gives me confidence to just go ahead and try something without a recipe every flippin' time. But again,,,i would really enjoy him much better with a different show formula. Plus,,when he meets someone in the store and says, "Basically,,,i'm a chef from Australia and have written a couple cookbooks..." well,,,a little changeup in the wording might be good.

[tidee]

is this it greatcook?

Curtis Stone - Take Home Chef
From Episode 125: Julia's Menu
Chocolate Fudge and White Chocolate Mousse Cake with Fresh Strawberries

Serves 12

Ingredients:

For the Cake Base:

Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/4 cups/250 g sugar
3/4 cup/170 g unsalted butter, room temperature
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons/60 ml light corn syrup
3 tablespoons/20 g finely ground almonds
1 1/4 cups/195 g self-rising flour
2/3 cup/70 g unsweetened cocoa powder
8 ounces/225 g fresh strawberries, halved lengthwise

For the Mousse:

10 1/2 ounces/300 g good-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 envelope (2 1/2 teaspoons/about 5 g) unflavored gelatin
4 large eggs
1/4 cup/50 g sugar
2 cups/470 ml heavy whipping cream

To assemble the cake:

6 ounces/170 g fresh strawberries, diced
2 ounces/55 g fresh whole strawberries, for garnish
One 3.5-ounce/100-g bar good-quality white chocolate, for garnish

Method:

To make the cake base:*

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Spray a 10-inch/25-cm diameter springform pan with nonstick cooking spray.* Beat the sugar and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy.* Beat in the eggs one at a time.* Beat in the syrup and ground almonds.* Sift the flour and cocoa powder over the cake batter.

Using a large rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the batter (the batter will be thick).* Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly.* Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sides puff slightly and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with some moist crumbs attached (do not bake the cake until the toothpick comes out clean or the cake will be too dry).**

Transfer the cake pan to a rack and cool completely.* Press the edges of the cake down to help level the cake, if necessary.* Line the halved strawberries atop the cake with the cut sides against the sides of the pan and with the tips pointing toward the edge of the pan.*Set the cake aside while preparing the mousse.

To make the mousse:

Place the white chocolate in a medium Pyrex bowl. Set the bowl of chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until the chocolate melts.*Pour 3 tablespoons/40 g of cold water into a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand for 5 minutes to soften.

Stir the gelatin over low heat until the gelatin dissolves.* Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and light and medium peaks form.* Beat in the melted chocolate then the melted gelatin mixture.

Set the bowl over another larger bowl of ice water and stir the mixture until cold and thick but not set.* While the chocolate mixture chills and thickens, beat the cream in another large bowl with an electric mixer until soft semi-firm peaks form.* Fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture.

To assemble the cake:

Spoon half of the mousse over the cake in the pan.* Sprinkle with the diced strawberries.* Spoon the remaining mousse over the cake.* Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, or until the mousse is set.* Slide a vegetable peeler across the white chocolate bar to form chocolate curls. Garnish the cake with the chocolate curls and whole strawberries.

[cumulus]

I've seen the show a few times, and have continued watching only because of the cute chef ( ) and the few recipes he is able to get through over the course of the show.

The basic premise is for him to hijack an "unsuspecting" man or woman at a grocery store and convince them to let him make dinner for that person and their significant other (who is typically left in the dark). They shop, and chaos ensues trying to create a gormet meal before the SO comes home.

So far, the people in the grocery store have been bothersome to me. Also, the chef cooks in THEIR kitchen, so he ends up looking a bit lost, and left with exceptionally sub-par gadgets and appliances to use.

Kinda cute, kind of annoying. But that's my two cents

[greatcook]

Yes! Thank you Tidee! Just in time for the weekend!

I like the goofiness of Curtis...he's got a charm and appeal, while being kind of gangly that makes him fun! One of my girlfriends thinks he's like a young Rod Stewart! "If you want my body, and you think I'm sexy!"

Totally agree with you spudugan... Curtis needs a bodyguard...stop driving him to drinK!