Episode
Chopped: Espresso Express
Overview
The chefs get a jolt of energy in the first basket in the form of ground espresso, but can they quickly make coffee click with the rest of the ingredients? Sweetbreads are one of the sweet surprises that the competitors must work with in round two, and a brightly-colored sugary snack must be balanced with black molasses in the dessert round.
Details
- Series
- Chopped
- Season
- Season 35
- Episode
- Episode 13
- Air date
- 2017-11-21
Episode context
Espresso Express is Episode 13 in Season 35 of Chopped. It aired on 2017-11-21.
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Episode 12: An Iron Chef Thanksgiving
Three brilliant Iron Chefs -- Marc Forgione, Jose Garces and Alex Guarnaschelli -- are set to judge four exceptional Chopped Champions on a mission to create an incredible Thanksgiving feast! The champs' Turkey Day appetizers must include turkey in more than one form, then another bird gets some love in the entree round. Then, an epic sandwich and a sweet casserole are two of the ingredients that keep the final two champs' gears spinning.
Episode 14: Weird Twist
The chefs learn they'll be cooking with ingredients that are bizarre, even by Chopped standards. Something slimy and something strangely-shaped are found in the first wonderfully weird basket. Garlic ice cream is not the most startling discovery in the entree basket. Then, the most shocking ingredient in the dessert basket doesn't seem so wild -- until you pop it in your mouth and get a jolt!
More episodes from this season
Episode 11: Pie Jinks
The chefs get news that the judges will be expecting three courses of flaky, perfect pies. Sour gummies and sausage are part of the appetizer round pie puzzle, then the entree round has the three remaining chefs making savory pies that must include baby kale. After a dessert round with candied ginger in the basket, who will be left eating humble pie, and who will win $10,000?
Episode 15: Chopped Grand Holiday
Four of Chopped's biggest winners return to share stories of their life-changing victories and -- in the spirit of the season -- play for a favorite charity. The four undefeated repeat champs open up the first basket to find a variety of festive surprises. A clever take on hardboiled eggs and a deckle of beef present the champs with a challenging task in the entree round. Then, only one chef can be named the champion again after the judges taste creative holiday desserts that include honey and chocolate.
Episode 10: Flavor Savor
The chefs are pleased when they open the first basket and it's filled with bright, fresh Mediterranean foods, including baby octopus. A prickly green and a meaty fish share the entree basket spotlight. Finally, the ice cream machine and the deep fryer come into play in a busy dessert round.
Episode 16: True Grits
The chefs get the Southern classic grits in the first basket and race to make appetizers that deliver on flavor, but one of the competitors has major difficulties in the final seconds of the round. An ingredient that is surprisingly similar to grits is discovered in the second basket, so the chefs must think fast and keep the creativity level high. Then, something blue and something boiled are in the dessert basket.
Episode 9: Gimme Gator
Strange incarnations of everyday ingredients, black garlic and coconut vinegar, challenge the chefs in the appetizer round. The judges go on the hunt for compelling flavor combinations in the chefs' alligator entrees, then a Peruvian fruit is the most unusual find in the dessert basket.
Episode 17: Cocktail Party
Shaken, stirred, or Chopped? Cheers to a fabulous first: a Chopped cocktail party! The chefs learn that they'll be preparing small plates as well as creative drinks in every round of this special competition. Tiny, lovely finger limes must end up on the plates or in the cocktails in round one. Scotch whisky and summer truffles keep the party going in the second round, then edible gold in the final basket guarantees the chefs will end on a festive note.
Episode 8: Feel the Burn
In this heated competition, the chefs make the most of fiery, spicy ingredients in the baskets. In round one, a dip made with hot sauce and a spicy piece of poultry challenge the chefs. Then, the hot raw root in the entree basket serves as proof that peppers aren't the only way to spice up a dish. Finally, some spicy candy and a baby fruit occupy the competitors' minds in the dessert round.
Episode 18: Amped for Ramps
The competitors find a prized member of the onion family in the first basket, ramps! But will the flavorful wild leeks play nicely with the other mandatory ingredients? An organ meat and an Italian treat are in basket two, then the two chefs who make it to the dessert round get a popcorn-flavored candy and a citrus-flavored stalk.
Episode 7: Spooked
Creepy surprises and freaky finds -- the chefs are sure to be spooked by what they get in the baskets for Halloween! A special meat platter grabs the competitors' attention at the start of round one, then a certain frightening ingredient is staring back at the chefs from the entree basket. The two finalists get hyped up on Halloween candy as they scare up some creative desserts.
Episode 19: Mardi Gras Goals
Get ready for some culinary revelry as four New Orleans chefs take on a Mardi Gras competition! The baskets are packed with perennial NOLA favorites, including po' boys in the appetizer round. The judges hope none of the competitors ruin the roux in the second basket, and a traditional cake and a boozy coffee challenge the final two chefs in dessert.