Masterchef UK Professionals
Baker:
Season:
Week:
Challenge Type:
Barbecue Chicken with Crab Oil, Green Curry Sauce and Pickled Daikon Salad
Barbecue Chicken with Crab Oil, Green Curry Sauce and Pickled Daikon Salad
Dublin-born chef patron Mark had never cooked Thai food before this challenge and was excited to bring his own spin to it. Mark: "When I came into the competition, I probably hadn't intended to cook as widely as I have, but I struggled with refinement. After the first couple of challenges, I realized how intense it was going to be, how much I would have to push myself. Today, I'm just going to make sure that everything that goes on the plate is there for maximum impact, maximum taste." He grilled chicken over charcoal, leaning into his strength with American barbecue. Mark: "I'm going to make an infused crab oil that I can baste the chicken with - infused with basil, mint and some lemongrass. I really want to taste that crab flavor." He also prepared jasmine rice and a pickled salad of daikon and fresh herbs. His green curry sauce used a curry paste built with ginger, garlic, chilies, lime leaves, and coconut cream. Mark: "I want a curry sauce that really embraces those beautiful flavors of Thailand." {Judge}: "The great thing about charcoal grilling is it's a really dry heat, so you can get really crispy skin. I love the thought of that smoky barbecue chicken. Spiced crab oil could be inspired, depending on how he carries it off." Mark finished the chicken in a pizza oven to ensure it was cooked through. Mark: "I tried to pack a lot into the time limit. I hope it's done enough to stand out."
{Judge}: "The chicken is nice and moist and juicy still. That crispy, smoky skin is delicious. I do think the crab oil does add something, in the background, something umami. This green curry, it's not adventurous with the chili heat. It feels a little bit more Sri Lankan with that rich coconut flavor. But I do like it. The pickle daikon salad, I think, is delicious. For me, it's the nicest thing on the plate. It's a nice plate of food. It's just lacking that extra punch that I expect with Thai food. Need to throw a bit of chopped chili on there." {Judge}: "Mark's chicken has definitely got the flavors of the barbecue running through it, but that crab oil is slightly lost. And I think his Thai green curry could have had a much bigger kick in it."
Would you like us to create a recipe to match this dish?
We try to create several recipes every day, and we'd love to prioritize a recipe for you. Just fill out the form and watch your inbox - no cost, no catch.
Your request has been submitted
An error occurred. Try again later
