by Todd Betzold

 

It is time for another Mystery Box Challenge tonight on MasterChef, as the Top 15 compete to live for one more day in the MasterChef Kitchen. Who will the Elimination Challenge get the best of tonight?

 

It is time for the second Mystery Box Challenge and tonight it is about the body parts of animals, including bull testicles and a cow's tongue. The past few years these body parts have become delicacies and tonight they have 90 minutes to create a dish using these body parts.

 

As the judges go around, Ryan tells Chef Ramsay he is going to win it all and Monti will be the next one to go home. Monti is working with the testicles, Christine is deep frying. Time is running out and they all scramble to get their dishes done. The judges take one last look to determine the three dishes that stand out. The first dish they call up is from Becky, who made a Sweetbread Duo with Chicken Liver Pate on Buttered Toast. Chef Ramsay said it is a bold move, but it works. Graham said it is delicious. Joe said he could serve this as an appetizer in a restaurant.

 

The next dish belongs to Ryan, who made Sweetbreads with Potato and Shallot Curry Oil. Graham said sweet, sour, salty, so balanced...it is a great dish. Chef Ramsay said it is delicious. The last dish is from Christine, who made Panko Fried Sweetbreads with Bok Choy. Joe said it is really terrific and a great accomplishment. Chef Ramsay said it is delicious and cooked to perfection. The judges discuss and the winner of the Mystery Box Challenge is Ryan (ugh, I hate him)!

 

The judges take Ryan back to the pantry to get his advantage for winning. He is in charge of the Elimination Challenge. The theme of the Elimination Challenge is fresh versus convenience food. The ingredients are Ahi Tuna, ham and crabs. The first advantage is he gets to choose what ingredient the chefs get to cook with and he chooses crab. The second advantage is he doesn't have to cook tonight, so he is safe for another night. The third advantage is he gets to choose which seven get to cook with fresh crab and which seven get to cook with canned crab. Sidenote: Ryan is so annoying.

 

They have 60 minutes to create a stunning crab dish. After five minutes in the pantry, the home cooks start in with their dishes. Tali, Ryan's Dream Team member, is happy with the live crab. Ryan gave a live crab to Christine. Monti gets canned crab and she hopes Ryan gets crabs...I love her! Christine is struggling with the crab and is running way behind. As Christine gets pierced from the crab and the medics come in, Ryan smiles from the gallery...such an ass!

 

As the time runs out, the judges discuss and think Tali and Helene have no idea what they are doing. Christine shocks them as she works her way through the crab. Time runs out and dishes are ready for tasting.

 

Tali is up first and he makes Paprika Buttered Crab with Saffron and Watercress Sauce. Graham said it looks like a horror movie. He used the back fin meat in the sauce and the judges are disgusted. Chef Ramsay said based on the performance, I'd start packing your knifes if I was you. Ryan's plan may have backfired and his Dream Team member may be headed home! Tali feels his stuff is so good they can't see the potential.

 

Josh is next and he makes Thai Crab Trio Curry and Rice with Crab Cake and Salad. Joe said it is spicy good and this dish rises to the top. Mike is next and makes a Crab Bisque. Chef Ramsay said he's taken fresh crab and made it taste like crab. Tanya is next and makes Thai Green Curry with Rice. Graham said that is a shining example of balance. Frank is next and he made Orecchiette Puttanesca with Homemade Pasta. Joe said this is like Hamburger Helper. Christine is next and made Ceviche Cocktail with Tomato Juice. Chef Ramsay said it is visually stunning and asked if she was really blind (jokingly). He said it is delicious and fresh and she cooks every time like an angel. He tells Ryan he f*cked that up big time...there is no disadvantage when it comes to her and he makes Ryan come up and taste it.

 

Next up is Helene and she made Dungeness Crab Soup with Cornbread. Joe said she has done a great job of taken a beautiful crab and making it taste exactly like canned crab. Graham said it looks like Shredded Wheat and waste of a great product. Last up is Monti who made Scotch Egg with a Crab Shell. Chef Ramsay said it was f*cking delicious and she is a freak and it works. Joe said this is a great dish and a great idea and asked why she can't bring that confidence with her. Ryan's plan backfired again...love it!

 

The judges discuss and the dishes that were head and shoulders above the competition are from Josh and Christine, so they will be team captains for the next challenge. They bring up four dishes for the worst dishes: Frank (he has limited range), Tali, Mike and Helene. Three out of the four had fresh crab over the canned crab. They ask Frank and Mike to step forward and they are safe. The bottom two are Tali and Helene, both familiar to this area. The homecook leaving tonight is Helene, as Tali is sent back to his station.

 

MasterChef airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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