Allez Cuisine!

I should be sleeping… long weekend, more going out than usual, on my feet all day… but I’m not. Instead, I’m watching the encore of this season’s super fun Food Network Iron Chef match up. Paula Deen/Cat Cora vs. Robert Irvine (Dinner Impossible)/Tyler Florence!

Speaking of Robert Irvine, I caught “Dinner Impossible” for the first time ever tonight. He had to cook dinner at a Vegas hotel for 16 famous magicians (and their plus-ones). The catch was that the food had to be one thing but look like another. He made a meatloaf and potatoes that looked like a slice of cake and ice cream. For dessert, he made ice cream that was in the shape of a hot dog. Maybe I’ll find pictures to post here later; either way – it was amazing.

Anyway, I know who wins because I caught the last five minutes when it originally aired earlier tonight (Paula), but mom says the whole thing was “a hoot,” so I’m checking it out for myself.

Last year, it was Iron Chef Mario Batali and Rachael Ray vs. Iron Chef Bobby Flay (*sigh*) and Giada Delaurentis, and Ray/Batali won (which was awesome). I like Giada just fine, but it’s fun to see the “less gourmet” and more realistic folks like Rachael “YUM-O” Ray take home the gold.

So instead of sleeping, I’m fighting urges to get out of bed and bake.

In the words of the Chairman, “ALLEZ CUISINE!” (Which, apparently – according to Wikipedia – roughly translates to “go and cook”)

Bobby Flay, will you marry me?

Iron Chef, master griller, dorky/cute-type attractive, and a great TV show host, Bobby Flay has stolen my heart. This is what he whipped up today. I actually think I could do it… at least the eggplant thing and the apples. Mmmm… I love eggplant.

Grilled Eggplant with Tomato Basil Relish