Cooking for kids can be a tricky task, especially if you have a picky eater. So, we decided to challenge a professional chef vs. a mother of two to see who could make a better meal and win the kids' hearts… or should I say stomachs?
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Our first contestant was Lanae, mother of a 2-year-old boy.
Up against Lanae was professional chef, Anthony Carron– the chef, founder, and owner at 800 Degrees pizzeria.
Judging Lanae and Anthony was a panel of three judges, including 8-year-old, Miley...
...9-year-old Stella...
...And 25-year-old Andrew.
Today's secret kid-hated ingredient was none other than the dreaded cauliflower.
The contestants had 30 minutes to make their meal. Lanae decided to mask the flavor by frying it in a creation she called, "goat cheese cauliflower fried ball."
Chef Anthony decided to make a cauliflower soufflé*.
After 30 minutes of some serious cooking, time was almost up!
First up was Lanae's cauliflower goat cheese balls, sprinkled with extra goat cheese and honey on top.
And she totally masked the vegetable flavor (which by a kid's definition, definitely meant it was a success).
Lanae even received the highest form of flattery from Miley, who wished her own mom would make it.
Next up was chef Anthony's soufflé.
He also created a hit, winning everyone over with some cheesy goodness.
After some deliberation, the judges made their decision.
This week was a win for the moms, as Lanae took home the prize!*
Mom Lanae's Winning Recipe:
Here's what you will need:
* 1 head of cauliflower
* 1 lemon
* 4 eggs
* 1 cup of AP flour
* 1 cup of goat cheese (plus more for sprinkling)
* 4 tbsp. of olive oil
* 3 tbsp. of honey (plus more for on top)
* 4 chopped garlic cloves
* Sprinkles of salt, pepper, parsley and oregano to season
* Canola or vegetable oil for frying
Here's how to make it:
1. Chop cauliflower and remove all green and core. Put into food processor and pulse approximately 45 seconds-1 minute in a food processor. Make sure it is very fine, almost rice like.
2. Mix your spices into the cauliflower and place in a frying pan. Add 4 tbsp. of olive oil to the pan, one at a time, stirring well in between, as pan is heating on high. Constantly stir the cauliflower mixture for about 10 minutes on high until cauliflower mixture becomes golden brown in color (may need a little less or more time depending on how strong your stove top is).
3. Place cauliflower mixture in a large mixing bowl and add the goat cheese and honey immediately. This will get the cheese starting to melt right into the cauliflower and taste even creamery and better! Add the flour, garlic, and 4 eggs (mixing one thoroughly in at a time).
4. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out the lemon juice into the bowl, taking out any seeds that sneak in there. Grab a grader and zest 1/2 the lemon over the bowl. Stir thoroughly.
5. In a frying pan, add enough oil to fill up the pan about half way on high. Grab an ice cream scooper and scoop your mixture into the frying pan. Fry each side about 2 minutes. Crumble goat cheese and drizzle honey on top to serve!
