Starters

“The Italian Job”

Tuesday night’s episode saw the top eight arrive in Ethiopia for a unique culinary experience. After exploring the city of Addis Ababa, participating in a coffee ceremony and, finally, the mystery box challenge in the middle of a forest, Amanda and Leandri faced the chop in last night’s pressure test.

Leandri was very curious about it as the pair made their way through the streets of Addis and found themselves at the entrance of an Italian restaurant. “We’re going to an Italian restaurant in Ethiopia?” questioned Leandri. Not just any Italian restaurant, it turned out, but the Ristorante Castelli, which has been graced by the rich and famous, including some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

“Welcome to a taste of Italy here in the heart of Addis Ababa,” greeted judge Pete Goffe-Wood. Judges Andrew Atkinson and Benny Masekwameng made it known how important it was to remain focused for this pressure test. During a short history lesson, Leandri and Amanda learned that Castelli’s has been open since 1957 and is a family-owned and -run business. The pressure to create an Italian dish in true Castelli style was on!

Main course

“Our kitchen is your kitchen”

“This is not going to be lasagna or spaghetti bolognaise, this is going to be something a little more intricate,” remarked Leandri. And no kidding – the dish was lobster raviolo with tomato, spinach and ricotta filling, lobster medallions and lobster bisque. Owner Titziana Castelli cautioned the two contestants to make sure that the pasta was al dente and not too thin, otherwise the filling would fall out. Leandri and Amanda had to make their own pasta for this dish and both were apprehensive about how it turned out. “You have to fight to hang on to that apron because your battleground today is the Castelli kitchen,” said judge Andrew, much to the delight of the girls.

They had 60 minutes to make the pasta and re-create the dish to perfection. Both pummeled and rolled and pounded the dough to make sure the pasta came out soft and silky. Before they knew it, more than 20 minutes had passed and they hadn’t even started on the other components of the dish.

Cooking on a centuries-old wood-burning stove was a challenge to both of them as they tried to figure out the heat levels. With less than 10 minutes to go, the contestants were feeling the heat and neither was certain that they would get everything together on time. Rolling out the pasta was a nightmare; but it was heartwarming to see how the two encouraged and supported each other while the minutes ticked by.

Meanwhile, Kamini and Tiron went off to their Masterclass with local chef Habte Ayehu, against the backdrop of the famed Jemma Valley about two hours outside of Addis Ababa. He showed them how to make a local celebration chicken dish called “doro wat” that’s prepared and enjoyed with family. Kamini and Tiron learned a few new twists and turns such as dry-frying onions for 25-30 minutes with a little bit of spice and no oil. Next chef Habte showed them how to prepare “shiro”, a spicy vegetarian stew made with pea flour. The two couldn’t wait to wrap their taste buds around the flavorsome aromas and spices that went in to the two dishes. Dished up on a thin pancake-like bread, with a sort-of cottage cheese on the side, Kamini and Tiron gave both dishes the thumbs up and Habte was a happy man. Reluctantly, they left the picturesque Jemma Valley and headed back to reality to find out who had failed the pressure test.

Dessert

The all important taste test had Leandri passing with flying colours, even though her she had over-reduced her bisque. She left the judges’ table relieved and happy with her efforts. Next in was Amanda, who admitted that time had run away from her and that this may have affected the outcome of the dish. The judges declared that the taste on the whole was good and had “effective flavour”; the lobster was cooked perfectly and the bisque was balanced. However, the raviolo filling let her down. It was a close call, but sadly someone had to go and last night it was time to say goodbye to Amanda.

The Mahikeng sisters are in the top seven and the contestants are not yet done with the East African country. Tune in next week for more Ethiopian excitement!

After-dinner cheese

“Show me a soldier who’s gone out to war and comes back with a clean uniform and I will show you a soldier who hasn’t put up a fight,” Leandri told the judges, after they commented on her messy apron.

By Priscilla Urquhart

Tune in next Wednesday morning for a run-down of Tuesday night’s episode, and check out our MasterChef SA page, sponsored by Nederburg, for weekly updates.