Iron Chef Cullen

Welcome to Iron Chef Cullen. A delectable Japanese tradition has taken root on American soil. We have been graced with our own kitchen stadium where our mother has brought together the pugnent flavors of east and west. It is here where the best of the best meet for the ultimate challenge. Today's secret ingredient is........Oyster Crackers! And now America, in an open heart and empty stomach, I say onto you in the words of my Uncle (or of the chairman in tv's Iron chef)......ALE CUISINE! The boys have 60 minutes to prepare a main course and a dessert. I have been asked to act as a sous chef for both teams....Team Jamison and Team Peter. The battle got off to a good start.....slicing and dicing. Jamison prepared a coconut chicken soup with peas, carrots and oyster crackers. He is also assisted but the dark side....a Darth Vadar apron and flipper. Peter sped through the main course and was ready for dessert. A side-by-side comparison of main courses.For the main course Peter chose hamburgers with provalone, lettuce pepperoni and oyster crackers. For dessert he went family style with icecream sprinkles, hersey kisses, M&M, skittles and oyster crackers. Pat commented that the ooyster crackers did actually taste good with the icecream, the good mixture of salty and sweet. The skittles however would crack a tooth if you were not careful.Jamison seemed to share the same inspiration and went family style for dessert also. The judging categories are-Taste, Originality, Plating and a new 4th category of cleanliness. It was a super close battle. And the winner is...... Jamison, with 90pts. Peter had 86 pts. The boys were tied for cleanliness, plating and taste, but Jamison edged Peter out with originality. What a close battle! Maybe it was the dark side that helped Jamison in the long run? One more package arrived in the mail, from Lily and Lucy! Robots. We are all very excited! Jamison's was made out of a beer can which Pat was happy to help out in the raw materials department. Peters has some serious gears that needed a little extra sodering but we got up and running! Thanks Lily and Lucy. Wini has been having a hard time following the rules of the house.....no dogs on couches. She feels that if there is a blanket on the couch that that is an invitation to bury herself in them. So, no blankets on the couch. That means this is where she goes. I would like to think that a nice dog bed would remedy this but sadly I know that it wont. Darn old dog!