Some of the most beloved amateur winners return to the Chopped Kitchen for a shot to compete in the $50,000 finale. In the appetizer round the competitors must use salsa and cheese blintzes in their culinary masterpieces. Then as the entree round gets started, an off-balance tug-of-war over a piece of equipment has everybody laughing, except for the chef who loses the fight. And grapefruit is among the loot the last two champs find in the dessert basket.
Mary Berg is celebrating summer's seasonal fruits and veggies. With her limited-edition bounty of peppers, Mary makes a sweet and spicy appetizer, Baked Goat Cheese with Jalapeno Cherry Jam. Her Creamy Zucchini Risotto is like summer on a plate, with parsley, mint and even those cute little zucchini blossoms. Mary has also got the perfect dish to highlight tomatoes aplenty: Tomato Butter Chicken. Don't forget the cocktails! Mary's Strawberry Cucumber Mojito is packed with garden-fresh goodness all muddled together in delight.
Ree Drummond is using just three ingredients in a round-the-clock range of dishes. For breakfast, she makes a delicious Ham and Cheese Loaf. Lunch is an unbeatable Penne Pecorino, and Fried Mozzarella makes a perfect anytime snack or appetizer. Ree's easy dinner dish is one-pan Miracle Mango Salsa Chicken, followed by Ice Box Cake for dessert. She gives her menu three cheers with three drinks: a Blushing Betsy Cocktail, a Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail and a White Wine Spritzer.
At the end of the workday, Ree Drummond and her team are having a casual office-warming party at their new space in town. For the appetizer menu, Ree makes Maple Bacon Dip with Apples, easy Italian Cheese Sticks and Marinara Sauce with a store-bought shortcut and Greek Guacamole with tortilla chips and cucumber rounds. She also has seafood-lovers covered with classic Crab Rangoon Dip and Fried Wontons. Finally, Ree adds some sparkle to the party with glamorous Strawberry Rose Bellinis.