Iron Chef Foodie Friends Competition 2: Tomatillo

The winner of our first Iron Chef competition picked tomatillo as our ingredient for last night's dinner.  It was definitely an interesting ingredient to work with -- I had to do research on tomatillos and learned that when selecting them, 1) they should be firm, 2) the smaller the better and 3) the husk should be fresh looking (not shriveled and dried).

I thought that we would all be tomatillo'd out after eating 2 apps, 3 entrees, 1 dessert -- oh, and there was a drink too, but everything was so delicious.  It was extremely hard to pick a winner.  The winner was the dessert (major points for creativity and having the hardest course); it was delicious. 

Our next competition's ingredient is sparkling wine!

Appetizers:
Fresh cheese in tomatillo salsa
Guacamole w/tomatillo salsa & orange juice

My dish (appetizer)
Fresh cheese in tomatillo salsa - a Rick Bayless recipe
http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/view?recipeID=141

Drink:
A spicy tomatillo margarita
(w/serranos and jalapenos blended in)
Oops - I drank almost all of it before
remembering to take a photo

Entree:
Brisket soft butter tacos with a cabbage slaw
and a tomatillo cream sauce

Entree:
Chicken soft tacos topped with a
tomatillo salsa, cilantro and queso fresco

Entree:
Fresh mozzarella and monterey jack
cheese enchiladas in a chile corn tortilla and
topped with a tomatillo sauce, queso fresco
and black beans on the side

Dessert:
Chocolate cake with a tomatillo
sauce (made with vanilla, cinnamon) and
topped with orange zest whipped cream

Iron Chef Foodie Friends Competition 1: Chipotle

Last night, we got together with 3 other couples for our first "Iron Chef" competition.  The ingredient: chipotle. 

Unlike the Iron Chef show on TV, we decided on the ingredient together and were able to prep & cook in advance.  (We had selected our course out of a hat also in advance.)

We made the Orange Chipotle Risotto and Chipotle Shrimp (the risotto was super interesting, having orange juice, saffron, chipotle, asiago cheese and parsley), but my favorite dish of the night was the Spicy, Smoky S'mores Bars.

The winner was chipotle ribs and beer can chicken -- delcious!  Lots of food, wine and fun had by all!!!

The next ingredient challenge is tomatillo.  We will be making the appetizer course which should be easy, but I'm wondering what the dessert and beverage will be?!

Appetizer
Chipotle Shrimp Cocktail &
Chipotle Guacamole w/Pineapple

Bonus Appetizer:
Potatoes w/Bacon and Cheese
with a Chipotle Ranch Dip

Entree:
Chipotle Beer Can Chicken

Entree:
Chipotle Rubbed Ribs (one w/a dry rub and one with a sauce)
Chipotle Beer Can Chicken

Entree:
Orange Chipotle Risotto
w/Chipotle Shrimp

Dessert
Spicy Smoky S'mores Bars

Here are 2 of the recipes:

http://www.food.com/recipe/orange-chipotle-risotto-in-rice-cooker-or-stove-top-290612

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-thornton/spicy-smoky-smores-bars-recipe/index.html