Congratulations to the grand prize winner!
Frank Allen from Jacksonville, Florida
Frank became a finalist with his round two entry of Cheesy Couscous Cakes with Guajillo Chicken, Mango Salsa and Guacamole. Then he out-cooked his competitors in the Chopped-style cook off to win the $10,000 grand prize.
Watch the four finalists face off during the final round in New York City.
Crispy couscous, Sargento 4-Cheese Mexican Blend and black bean cakes topped with guajillo-pineapple marinated shredded chicken tenders and then drizzled with a cilantro-lime crema. On the side you have a sweet, spicy and savory mango-pineapple-jalapeno-bacon salsa fresca along with a cool and creamy roasted tomatillo-avocado guacamole. The dish is then garnished with lime wedges and a sprig of cilantro.
*Finalists will appear in a Chopped Open Your Basket vignette that will air on Food Network.
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. except Maryland and North Dakota, age 21 or older. Void in Maryland, North Dakota and where prohibited by law. The Contest begins at 10:00 a.m. ET on 2/2/15 and ends at 5:00 p.m. ET on 6/29/15 (the "Contest Period"). The Contest Period will consist of three (3) separate entry rounds, as further detailed in the Official Rules, which can be found by visiting www.foodnetwork.com/choppedchallenge. Visit the website to enter. Sponsored by Television Food Network, G.P., 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.
Bacon-Kale Macaroni & Cheese
Serves: 4
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/2 cups whole milk
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Kosher salt
4 cups (2.5 oz.) stemmed and chopped kale
3 cups (20 oz.) Sargento Chef Blends 4 State Cheddar
1/2 cup (2 oz.) Sargento Artisan Blends Parmesan Cheese
8 oz. elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1 cup oyster crackers, crushed
Directions
Heat 3 Tbsp. butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add flour and stir until smooth.
Add milk, cayenne and 3/4 tsp. salt and cook, whisking constantly, until thick, about 4 minutes.
Add kale; stir until wilted.
Add cheeses; stir until melted. Add pasta and bacon; stir to coat.
Transfer to greased 2-quart broiler-proof baking dish.
Combine crackers and 1 Tbsp. butter. Sprinkle over pasta and broil until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
