/ck/ - Food & Cooking

congrats to everyone who has made it this far; thanks for taking the time to submit and critique

>>12405340 quaff jasmine tea smoked ribs
Presentation: 3.5/5 plate and portion look a bit crowded; appreciate the color from the garnishes; food looks tasty
Originality: 3/5 not super original but i like the idea of tea smoking
Appeal: 5/5 would happily eat & snack on those cucumbers
Challenge Goals: 3/5 would award more points if steeped tea was in the glaze/sauce or if tea was incorporated in some pickle garnish/side
Total: 14.5/20

>>12405344 sakeanon laphet thoke & green tea noodles
Presentation: 3.5/5 plating is nice; the shell is pretty but i dislike inedible garnishes & the sauce looks a bit broken
Originality: 5/5 im probably uncultured but never knew about a fermented tea salad & wouldn't think to use tea that way
Appeal: 3.5/5 thick chewy tsukemen style noodles dressed in garlic soy with tea eggs sound great; my gut is telling me i'd want acidity or sweetness & sauce looks broken
Challenge Goals: 5/5 tea used in multiple elements of the dish & flavors don't seem to clash so you could discern the different flavors of tea
Total: 17/20

>>12405346 tiki doomer sweet & savory scotch egg
Presentation: 3/5 as others have said, shame the tea egg got covered up and egg looks a bit smooshed; would like a bit more color, pink spinach or mixed greens perhaps
Originality: 4/5 thai tea yolk definitely out of left field & the texture looks spot on
Appeal: 2/5 even though it was original, i dont think i'd enjoy the condensed milk yolk with the pork
Challenge Goals: 4/5 perhaps just as much usage or more usage of tea than other submissions but think the flavors seem less nuanced and less discernible than other entries
Total: 13/20

>>12356074
more random notes:
herbal tea had lemongrass, lemon, lavender, & orange. long cure, short smoke; very faint smoke & subtle floral/citrus smell when eaten with the other things on the plate
lot of salty things on the plate so i recommend a high sugar cure
>plating is ugly sry, i thought the deadline was tomorrow lol

lavender tea smoked/cured yellowfin carpaccio w/ lavender tea soy gel, green onion matcha olive oil, and matcha yuzu juice

working on vertical

working on

>>12312616
chairman gaijin-senpai, i'm a discord n00b and cannot DM you on discord so i sent a friend request

FPM >>12291325
Presentation: 3.5/5
Originality: 2/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 2/5
Total: 10.5/20
Plate looks nice, wish there was something fresh on the plate though. Pretty standard bacon mac & cheese; addition of jalapeno isn't super unique; do like the hot sauce in the bbq. I don't normally like bbq w/ mac but sounds pretty tasty; everything sounds like it'd compliment each other nicely and like the variety in texture this would offer. Not a huge variety of chili peppers nor does it sound like the chili is the dominant flavor so low theme score

Bell >>12291328
Presentation: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Appeal: 3.5/5
Challenge Goals: 3/5
Total: 15.5/20
Beautifully assembled tart; think some kinda sauce, jam, or relish on the plate would make the dish look even better. Definitely the most original submission this round; the only dessert submission for something easier to use savory. Overall flavors sound nice together and fun; iffy on the goat cheese & amount of mousse; think I would've liked some fresh pineapple on top. Unique and restrained use of chili; I do think the habanero would've gotten muddled if a variety of chilis was used but i also can't imagine the habanero standing out from being a background flavor without also being too spicy

Ion >>12291335
Presentation: 2/5
Originality: 2.5/5
Appeal: 4/5
Challenge Goals: 2.5/5
Total: 11/20
I think the colors were adjusted in post in a way I don't find appealing but not docking points for that; char on the skewers looks nice, like the relish and crema but plating is a bit sloppy & wet. I like the asian flavors but it doesn't look like an asian skewer (imo), still not super unique. Savory, sweet, spicy; like the saucy elements; variety of textures and roasty vs fresh flavors. A bit more chili-centric than some competitors; not over the top but there are multiple uses & think the chili flavor would be present

looking forward to seeing you all in the elims; i'm happy to cook for as long as you guys want me to

Thanks again to everyone who's submitted & voted and congrats to everyone who's gotten this far

Sakeanon >>12291307
Presentation: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 3/5
Like the variety of color and and textures; neatly wrapped but wished there was some sauce on the plate. Combining cocoa with spice was the most fun element but idk if it's really unique. Looks appealing; like the spatchcock, tortilla looks a tad thick to me & wish there was more salsa or another wet element to tie it together. Couple different uses of chilis and think the flavor would be there but ultimately supporting the chicken and maybe muddled by the cocoa
Total: 12/20

Tikidoomer >>12291312
Presentation: 2/5
Originality: 2.5/5
Appeal: 2/5
Challenge Goals: 5/5
Total: 11.5/20
I think a chile relleno is kind of hard to plate but think could have been plated a bit nicer. It's a stuffed pepper so not very original but like the smoked mozz, aardvark batter, and pickled salsa. I think this would appeal more with some kind of wet/saucy element and something meaty. Chili stuffed into a chili with chili infused batter and pickled chili salsa and chili garnish; obv 5 here

Quaff >>12291320
Presentation: 2.5/5
Originality: 2/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 3/5
Total: 10.5/20
Garnishes could be placed a bit better and/or add a smear or drizzle of sauce to make it look a little composed. Pretty standard enchilada w/o any unique changes/ingredients. Not 100% sure so sorry if I'm wrong but that looks like a flour tortilla and I really think enchiladas should be corn tortillas; otherwise everything else sounds good. Not in-your-face chili but good mix of chili for sauce, filling and garnish

sorry i forgot my totem; here it is with my finished plate

random notes:
-afaik, vietnamese lotus root salad is typically vietnamese coriander, carrots, shrimp, pork, onion with a fish sauce dressing. I've seen pickled daikon and celery occasionally but haven't had any with fruit or peppers
-i used unripe mango since i wanted another form of sweetness & acidity; you could easily use ripe mango if dislike the tartness & crunch from unripe mango
-i recommend keeping the leafy veg seperate and letting all of the ingredients cool/chill and mix immediately before eating to avoid wilting; esp if eating w/ terrine to avoid melting the gelatin

>>12190011 Swordanon, Meatloaf Sandwich
Presentation: 1/5
Originality: 1/5
Appeal: 2/5
Challenge Goals: 2/5
Total: 6/20
>construction is kinda messy; toast looks a little burnt on the edges; would've liked some color or sides. low originality like other "typical" sandwiches. i do like meatloaf sandwiches but don't love the mashed potatoes and would have liked other fillings. minus a point for challenge goal since it's not as presentable as some of the others

sorry for generally low scores all around; tried to be objective and felt i had to link presentation and originality into theme leading to kind of triple-docking/triple-rewarding points but had trouble grading on a one to five scale based on just whether something was or was not a sandwich. kudos to anyone who made their own bread or slow-cooked something; wish I could've given effort points
>also please grade mine harshly; i think i've upset enough people with my submission

>>12190334 Doraemon, a Caramelized Onion Burger on Focaccia
Presentation: 1/5
Originality: 2/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 2/5
Total: 8/20
>presentation similar to above; would have liked more color in some form. extra point for originality because of abnormal bread choice. average appeal; don't personally agree with carrot and celery in burger patties (subjective) but really don't think focaccia would pair with burger as well as other breads; caramelizzed onions with burger great tho. minus a point for challenge goal since it's less presentable than some of the others

>>12190339 Bell, "Borderline" Coffee Cake Sandwiches
Presentation: 4/5
Originality: 3/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 3/5
Total: 13/20
>pretty presentation; like the color and side. extra points for unusual "bread choice" and semi-interesting fillings. average appeal; variation in textures and tastes; don't like the idea of chewing on whole mint leaves; maybe would have liked one extra crunchy texture or non-sweet taste. average goal; kinda unique and it's presentable; kinda treads that line of being a "real" sandwich

>>12189587 Ion, "The Frigid Bitch" Sandwich
Presentation: 2/5
Originality: 1/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 2/5
Total: 8/20
>construction is a little messy looking; not as pretty as the kung fu sandwich. low originality like the other "typical" sandwiches. don't prefer rye but looks tasty; i think a little too meat heavy, cucumbers a little thick, prefer toasted bread. minus a point for challenge goal since it's not as presentable as some of the others

>>12190298 FPM, Kung-Fu Chicken Sandwich
Presentation: 3/5
Originality: 2/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 4/5
Total: 12/20
>presentation is OK; appreciate the side, makes it feel more like a complete dish imo; would have liked more variation in color though. Extra point for originality because of the wonton (kinda on the border here but giving slight edge to sake's fillings). average appeal; appreciate the texture but bread looks a little too crusty with the wonton. extra point on goals since it was more unique

>>12190310 quaff, Salmon Lime Cream and Pickle Mini Sandwiches
Presentation: 2/5
Originality: 3/5
Appeal: 2/5
Challenge Goals: 4/5
Total: 11/20
>presentation is OK; would have liked a cross section. interesting choice of fillings; nice variety of textures and flavors. appeal is OK; see this as a riff on topped crostini and think a crustier bread would have suited the salmon better. high goal; met sandwich criteria, unique fillings

>>12190317 Nikon, Carnitas-Style Pulled Pork Sandwich
Presentation: 1/5
Originality: 1/5
Appeal: 4/5
Challenge Goals: 2/5
Total: 8/20
>presentation is plainer than previous entries; would have benefited with some color (slaw, greens, a side dish). low points on originality due to typical filling and construction. high appeal since it all sounds tasty but again, would've have liked some kind of slaw inside. minus a point for challenge goal since it's less presentable than the first two entries.
>sorry nikon, really wanted to give you more points

>>12190327 Ribbon, Homemade Meatball Sub
Presentation: 1/5
Originality: 1/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 2/5
Total: 7/20
>presentation similar to above; would have liked more color in some form. low points on originality due to typical filling and construction. average appeal; bread looks good, would have scored higher if sauce from scratch. minus a point for challenge goal since it's less presentable than some of the others

prefacing my scoring criteria with line from the theme announcement for challenge goal. Again, thanks to everyone who put something out to be critiqued
>However your goal should be to make a sandwich that is both presentable but unique.

>>12190279 Tiki Doomer, Bourbon Tri-Tip
Presentation: 3/5
Originality: 1/5
Appeal: 4/5
Challenge Goals: 3/5
Total: 11/20
>presentation is OK; neatly stacked, clean cut; would have liked some kind of side. low points on originality; textbook sandwich. looks tasty; would eat, again wish for some kind of side to round out the meal. average goal; meets criteria, isn't unique

>>12190283 Moose, Classic French Sourdough Baguette Sandwich
Presentation: 3/5
Originality: 1/5
Appeal: 4/5
Challenge Goals: 3/5
Total: 11/20
>presentation is OK; neatly stacked, clean cut; would have liked some kind of side. low points on originality; textbook sandwich. don't like olives but looks tasty; would eat, again wish for some kind of side to round out the meal. average goal; meets criteria, isn't unique. same as above desu

>>12190292 Sakeanon, Moussaka Sandwich
Presentation: 2/5
Originality: 3/5
Appeal: 3/5
Challenge Goals: 4/5
Total: 12/20
>presentation isn't as nice as the previous two entries. extra points on originality since it's an abnormal filling (to me). average appeal; lots of soft textures (gravy, bech, melted cheese, eggplant); would have liked more texture but smart using soft bread (i think crusty would've mushed out the sides). extra point on goals since it was more unique (again, to me)

here's my sandwich submission; kind of want to re-do but may not have time.

>how do you cut soft bread without crushing it?

>>12073362
Tiki Doomer Anon-Don
Presentation: 3/5
>thoughtfully placed elements, variety of color and shape. would prefer more green/fresh elements and dislike the mayo swirl
Originality: 2/5
>offers opportunity to mix different elements and find new and interesting flavor combinations. nothing interesting in preparation
Appeal: 1/5
>ingredients don’t seem thoughtfully put together. seemingly dry or missing a saucy ingredient to tie it all together. lack of color on the spam and chicken. should’ve added some ketchup to the egg
Challenge Goals: 1/5
>rice is just kind of there. wasn’t used in an interesting way like nikon nor flavor coaxed out like FPM and ion
Total: 7/20

>>12073378
Bell Blasphemous College-Tier Chicken Curry
Presentation: 2/5
>classic presentation of curry katsu. Wish i saw some brighter green color and plated a little neater
Originality: 3/5
>interesting marinating chicken in lemon and pepperoncini; also made own stocks and roux. These interesting elements did not involve rice though
Appeal: 3/5
>love curry; like all the textures this dish offers. curry looks a bit too chunky for my liking and peas look kind of sad
Challenge Goals: 2/5
>again, rice is just kind of there. extra point since i’d argue this dish honors/respects the rice more than the tiki dish due to less competition between the additional ingredients
Total: 10/20

>>12073340
Nikon Rice Flour Crepe
Presentation: 3/5
>nice vibrant orange contrasting against the dark crepe and white cream. Would have preferred a different plate and the shallow DoF makes it a bit difficult to see
Originality: 5/5
>a use of the theme ingredient beyond just cooking and serving rice, top ranks here
Appeal: 2/5
>like the use of basmati and the sauce looks good. crepe looks dark in one picture but not the other; did you edit color in post? if yes, be wary since the crepes look a little burnt in the final submission
Challenge Goals: 2/5
>same line of reasoning as FPM; the inherent flavor and texture of rice takes a position further in the background to the other flavors
Total: 12/20

>>12073349
Poodle "Whatever You Have At Home" Risotto Stew
Presentation: 2/5
>similar approach to the first dish but color is less vibrant and inviting. would prefer to see more thoughtful plating and barely noticed the sliced bread
Originality: 2/5
>imo, typical rice dish with typical ingredients without taking it in any new or fun direction
Appeal: 4/5
>classic flavor combinations, good use of aromatics, good variation in textures, like the one pot approach
Challenge Goals: 3/5
>again rice seems to support other flavors; would have liked to know what kind of rice was used. Had it been an interesting mix or a more assertive type of grain the score would have been a point higher
Total: 11/20

>>12073358
ion !jxaL03vL/Q Spanish Chicken and Rice
Presentation: 4/5
>nice bright garnish and chicken thoughtfully placed atop the rice. Think I would have preferred a different plate though
Originality: 2/5
>looks to be a classic recipe with no novel or out-of-the-ordinary ingredients being brought to the table
Appeal: 3/5
>nice color on the chicken, appreciate using that fond. Kinda wished i saw more textural elements
Challenge Goals: 3/5
>rice dish but feels like the rice serves as a foundational element to more assertive flavors
Total: 12/20

thanks to everyone who took the time to submit and review

>>12073285
FPM !!TWee2o8cjLQ Beef Kao Pad
Presentation: 3/5
>like the vivid color and overall looks appealing. Could be more thoughtfully plated; maybe more height or shape
Originality: 3/5
>going thai with fish sauce and lime was interesting. Still just fried rice, want to see more creative use or preparation of the rice
Appeal: 4/5
>no elements here that i dislike; wish I saw better color on the beef and broccoli
Challenge Goals: 3/5
>it's a rice dish but personally feels like the rice serves as a supporting element to more assertive ingredients
Total: 13/20

>>12073328
quaff !!QRRRsHZIZUK Glutinous Rice Parcels
Presentation: 3/5
>appreciate the contrasting green and red/orange. Could be a tidier or more interesting
Originality: 3/5
>not an immediately obvious choice imo; still a classic dish with typical ingredients
Appeal: 4/5
>good color on the protein, really liked seasoning the rice with roasting marinade and fat. only seen these in banana leaf; think i'd like it better in a paper parcel. wish there was an element to cut through the richness; veggies, pickles or side of slaw
Challenge Goals: 4/5
>this dish seems more rice-centric than the previous dish with the natural flavor and interesting texture of the rice showing through more
Total: 14/20

>>12073328
Sakeanon Arancini
Presentation: 4/5
>appreciate the pretty plate and basket; not overcrowded but seems substantial
Originality: 3/5
>also not immediately obvous choice to me; still a classic dish with typical ingredients
Appeal: 3/5
>looks like a good mix of contrasting textures and flavors. marinara looks a bit watery imo and think it would have been better stuffed for another layer of flavor and texture
Challenge Goals: 5/5
>every additional ingredient here feels like it takes a backseat to the rice to really showcase the secret ingredient
Total: 15/20

>>12005971
fug forgot the timestamp and totem

here's my submission, sorry kitchen is a mess; currently painting it
tried to add thought process, detailed steps, etc. since i forgot to take some better pictures

checking in/bumping; still not 100% sure i'll participate but will try

>>11926597
it seems to make a noticeable difference to me and my friends when I dry brine steaks overnight

The burnt one had puffiest skin, the least stickiness but still could've been better.

I'm going to remove the skin from the meat and see if I can crisp it from the other side as I work through the leftovers

I forgot to tell you what went wrong

They all ended up kind of salty. I'd skip the dry brine and go straight into cooking. Pressure cooking gave me puffier skin but i'd reduce the cook time so it doesnt come out too tender. All of them had a sticky quality to the skin. I think it's this translucent layer under the skin. I'm going to try and crisp it straight from the fridge next time at 450F because I think it crisped up too quickly, the fat layer under the skin didn't have time to puff up and crisp

Ate in front of the TV. Here's the final spread

Thanks for sticking around anon

Close up of the salt-baked quarter

>didnt bake this long or hot enough for the salt bake to work properly