Chopped, Surprise Date Night and an Anniversary

Around here in these parts, we LOVE to watch the tv show Chopped.  We even DVR it.

Well it just so happened that our two year wedding anniversary was coming up AND I needed to plan a surprise date night.  I had been wanting to do a Chopped Surprise Date Night, but wasn't exactly sure how to pull it off.

After extensive research, menu planning and preparation, multi-store shopping, re-arranging the kitchen cabinets, fully stocking the pantry and fridge and buying new knives......ok, seriously, none of that happened.  I did a quick google search, totally copied a few ideas of other Chopped parties and put together a shopping list.

I gave myself an hour to shop and set up before Sweet Sarah arrived home from work.  And I think I pulled it off pretty well.  More importantly, Sweet Sarah rocked it out in the kitchen and we had a blast.

This was waiting for her when she arrived home

Yes, you can read the reaction, "What the H?"

Sweet Sarah's instructions

Opening the Appetizer Basket

Pretzel Rolls

Water Chestnuts

Pepper Jelly

Brussel Sprouts.  And this is where she began thinking!

She's rockin' the stove here

She roasted those almonds.  [from the freshly stocked pantry, of course!]

Pan Fried Brussel Sprout with water chestnuts, cranberries and roasted almonds.
[and yes, points were deducted for not transforming the pretzel roll.
Oh come on!  It's a competition!!!!]

Round 2.  The Entree Round.  Still smiling!

Not Smiling.  Whole Bean Coffee

Oats

Longboard Lager

Fresh Filet Mignon

Check it.  The beginnings of deconstructed sweet potato casserole.
Chopped apples from the pantry!

Chef Sarah presenting her entree plates.

Coffee crusted, grilled filet, deconstructed sweet potatoes and spiced corn.
She killed it.

Pure exhaustion.  She kept saying she blew her creativity in the appetizer round.

Yes, yes.  the photographer stinks.  FOCUS ON THE SUBJECT PEOPLE!
Ice cream topping

You can read.

Aaaannnnnddddd Dragon Fruit.  [muwhahahaaaaa]

Dare I caption this?

There she is.  The beautious dragon fruit.

Hot chocolate was the 4th ingredient

Chef Sarah OWNING the dragon fruit

Tossing strawberries and dragon fruit in a brown sugar glaze.

Plating her creation

A little topping for the shortcake

Check. It. Out!  Dragon Fruit and Strawberry shortcake with hot chocolate compote.

So proud.  And oh, by the way.  It was delish!

It all wore her out.

Overall, I'd say this was a two thumbs up for SDN.  We had a lot of fun.  And it was a great way to create some memories.