Linksfield resident and reigning Taste Bud Battle Junior Chef of the Year Gabriella Shalekoff (11) will look to crown her successor in the competition’s final cook-off later this year.
Recalling her participation in last year’s contest, Shalekoff said she had fun and she enjoyed the entire experience.
The youngster, who wowed the judges in the finale with her chicken gua bao buns, said she would recommend that children enter the competition.
“The best advice I can give is to try your best and just enjoy yourself,” she said.
Gabriella said she still cooks and bakes every chance she gets.
“I love experimenting with new flavours and recipes. I want to carry on baking and maybe one day become a pastry chef. It makes me happy when I see everyone eating my food.”
Her mother, Lucy, believes cooking is a skill every child should learn as it gives them confidence, teaches them about food choices and prepares them for later in life.
“Not every child is sporty or academic, and cooking is another avenue for children to express their artistic and unique talent,” she said.
Taste Bud Battle South Africa is once again searching for the country’s best young chefs, with prizes of R50 000 to be won and the chance to be crowned the Taste Bud Battle Chef of the Year 2020.
There are four age categories in this year’s competition: pre-primary for children aged four to five, junior primary for children aged six to nine, primary for children aged 10 to 13 and high school teens aged 14 to 19.
Entries close May 31.
Taste Bud Battle’s theme for 2020 is Fruity Fun.
Contestants can enter by visiting the Taste Bud Battle website (www.tastebudbattle.co.za).
Johannesburg semi-finalists will be announced on June 11, with regional cook-offs taking place on July 11.
Finalists will be announced on August 31 and flown to Johannesburg for the ultimate Taste Bud Battle, where category winners will be chosen and the overall grand champion will walk away with fabulous prizes on October 3.
For more information visit www.tastebudbattle.co.za
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Gabriella’s Chicken Bao Buns & Fried Chicken
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 30 mins
Serves: 4
Ingredients
Twice fried chips
4 potatoes
Bowl of water
Deep fat fryer
Salt
Red pepper and tomato salsa
1 deseeded red pepper
½ red onion
1 pack cherry tomatoes
1-2 crushed cloves of garlic
¼ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
Dash of pepper
1 tbsp tomato paste
Guacamole
2 avocados
Juice of one lemon
Salt
Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Oil to shallow fry
Rocket
Micro shoots
Mayonnaise
250ml oil
1 egg
Salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste
Buns
4 bao buns (can get these from a Chinese supermarket)
For plating
Micro shoots, red onion
Method
Step 1 – Twice fried chips
1. Cut potatoes into chips.
2. Soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2 – Salsa
1. Place ½ red onion, red pepper and garlic in a blender and blitz.
2. Heat a dash of oil in a pan and fry onions and red pepper mixture.
3. Cut cherry tomatoes in half and add to pan.
4. Add a tablespoon of tomato paste and season.
5. Reduce to medium heat for about 10-15 minutes.
6. Once softened, return to blender and pulse until a chunky consistency is achieved.
Step 3 – Guacamole
1. Mash both avocados in a bowl.
2. Add salt and lemon juice to taste.
Step 4 – Chips first fry
1. Drain chips.
2. Heat oil to 130°C.
3. Once oil is heated, cook the chips for 10 minutes.
4. Remove from fryer, drain and turn fryer up to 190°C.
5. Fry chips again until golden and crispy.
6. Once ready, drain and season with a generous amount of salt.
Step 5 – Chicken
1. Place chicken on a board and gently tenderise using a mallet.
2. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
3. Fill one bowl with 1 cup flour, 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp pepper and ½ tsp salt.
4. In another bowl beat 2 eggs.
5. Dip seasoned chicken into the flour and then into the egg and then into the flour again and place on a plate.
6. Heat oil to about 165°C and fry the chicken until crispy, but moist inside.
7. Remove and rest on a clean plate.
Step 6 – Mayonnaise
1. Place 250ml oil and 1 egg in a jug.
2. Blend with a hand blender to make magic mayonnaise.
3. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.
Step 7 – Bao buns
1. Place bao buns in an electric steamer and steam for 10 minutes.
Step 8 – Assemble
1. Place a few leaves of rocket on an open bao bun.
2. Add a spoon of mayo and top with a spoon of salsa.
3. Add some fried chicken with a spoon of guacamole on top.
4. Sprinkle with micro greens and thinly sliced red onion.
5. Place mayo in a bowl and sprinkle with cut spring onions and paprika.
