The chefs of Chopped were sure surprised to see basket ingredients in disguise in tonight’s April Fools’ episode. Presented with ingredients that appeared to be peas and carrots, grilled cheese, tomato soup and milk, what they actually had were candies, pound cake, strawberry puree and buttermilk. After the episode, the judges — Amanda Freitag, Geoffrey Zakarian and Alex Guarnaschelli — face the dessert round in an all-new Chopped After Hours, cooking with the same deceiving ingredients.“I have great news! We’re bringing in massage therapists,” says Ted. “I’ve also got vintage Champagne.” But before he goes any further, he blurts out, “None of that is true. It’s our April Fools’ episode!” The baskets were designed to fool the chefs, but the judges feel it’s their duty to bring that same spirit to their dishes. “It’s up to us to have our own version of a reaction to April Fools’,” says Alex, who’s got a few tricks up her sleeve — although Ted may have an even bigger trick up his.
“Maybe it won’t be strawberry shortcake, but it will look like one,” says Alex when Ted sees she’s making biscuit dough. But hers straddles the savory line with fresh tomatoes.
“It’s more like a sherbet,” explains Amanda of her strawberry and buttermilk ice cream sundae flavored with pink peppercorns. “There are no sure bets in the Chopped kitchen,” Ted says, playing around with her pronunciation of “sherbet” (although it is a valid point).
“It needs sugar and it needs love,” says Geoffrey of the spiced syrup he’s made from melting down the candies to use in his Eton Mess. “Both of which I provide,” he suavely tells Ted.
But the biggest joke of all is the prank Ted pulls on Alex, which has her running out of the pantry. “I didn’t think I was going to get you,” exclaims Ted to a visibly surprised Alex. “I can’t handle anything,” she screams.
Click the play button on the video above to watch the entire After Hours episode and see the dishes Amanda, Geoffrey and Alex created. Then browse behind-the-scenes images for an insider’s look at the cooking.
Start a conversation with fellow fans and tell FN Dish in the comments below how you would have approached this basket: What would you make out of peas and carrots (candy), grilled cheese (pound cake), tomato soup (strawberry puree) and milk (buttermilk)?
Catch up on past Chopped After Hours episodes by watching all the Web-exclusive battles online.
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Fooling Around in the Kitchen: The Judges’ Take on April Fools’ Baskets — Chopped After Hours