Jun

WC Platinum Chef Challenge: Round 1 Wrap-Up!

Thank you so much to everyone who played in Round 1! There are some seriously fabulous dishes here, and I hope everyone had fun with it and maybe even learned something new! I love that there is such a variety of foods and different flavor combinations. Who’s up for Round 2?

Elly shared some sunshine with Breakfast for Dinner. She used basil, tomatoes, and zucchini in a delicious Vegetable and Gruyere Frittata, and strawberries and pecans in her yummy muffins.

Gillian serves up dinner and dessert with Taste the Rainbow, a colorful veggie-medley marinara to top your favorite pasta with, and Chocolate Strawberry Bread. Chocolate and Strawberries, laced with walnuts – need I say more?!

Julie used the challenge ingredients to round out a chicken dish with a delicious side and dessert. Zucchini, tomatoes, and basil shine in her veggie medley, and strawberries and almonds get glammed up in a wine glass parfait.

Sarah was so excited about these ingredients, she just couldn’t keep them contained to two dishes! That’s ok, no one ever complained about extra food and drinks. Her Bruschetta Chicken and Peach Basil Ice Cream with Strawberry Vodka Sauce show some seriously sophisticated combinations. The meal is rounded out with even more creativity – a salad with sesame-basil dressing and a strawberry basil cocktail!

Stefany does not have a blog, but I really think she should, because she has a lot of talent to showcase! It’s ok, we love her anyway so I put together her submissions here for you to check out. She made not 1, but 2 recipes using all 5 ingredients. I think we will all be inspired by her Feta-Stuffed Chicken with Strawberry Basil Balsamic Reduction and Strawberry Basil Pesto Vegetable Lasagna.

Kate really misses her time on WC, and we miss her too! It’s very nice to see her keeping in touch with some great recipes for the challenge – Pesto Primavera and Molten Chocolate Cakes with Strawberry Basil Sauce.

Tara joined in with a fruity and nutty dessert, though I am not sure where the rest of the meal is! Tara, if I missed it, please let me know. Anyway, who could pass up on a peanut butter and jelly cupcake? You already know I love me some PB&J, so certainly not me!