Next Food Network Star ~ Official 2009 Summer Thread

[Nancyg56]

Yeah what's up with Brian?

I watched Melissa's new show and I thought for a first show it was pretty good. And she made the POTATO TART!! WOOHOO
But no way no how is that meal under $10. She uses Guyere cheese in the tart and that's about $8 alone! It's got potatos(cheap) and heavy cream (not cheap around $3 for the amount you need) thyme, and bacon- along with the pastry. I don't see how that's $10 and she made a salad and granita?

You got that right! I made a spinach gratin and used Gruyere. it was good but pricey! Heavy cream is also a budget buster if $10 per meal is the main objective.

I was a little dismayed when I heard the title of the show. Just as RR $40 a day was a little disingenuous I believe that this one will also have little "cheats" to maintain the "budget". It is not impossible to make a meal for 4 for under $10.00 but it cannot be done if you are using those ingredients.

 

[KristiMc]

Yeah what's up with Brian?

I watched Melissa's new show and I thought for a first show it was pretty good. And she made the POTATO TART!! WOOHOO
But no way no how is that meal under $10. She uses Guyere cheese in the tart and that's about $8 alone! It's got potatos(cheap) and heavy cream (not cheap around $3 for the amount you need) thyme, and bacon- along with the pastry. I don't see how that's $10 and she made a salad and granita?

I was thinking that also but then realized that she only used about 1/4 of the bacon and she only shredded a little bit of the block of cheese - so that is how they are getting in at $10. The items cost more - but she only used $10 worth of them.

I liked the tip about putting the bacon in the freezer before cutting it.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Is this the same set that Amy used? It looks familiar. I'm glad she made that recipe for the potato torte/tart/whatever, because I know a lot of people were interested in it. I still would have preferred Jeffrey.

Speaking of which... look what I found

 

[wdwjan]

Is this old news? Sorry if it is! (I've just started following this thread.) Melissa met her husband while working at Disneyland Paris! http://www.foodnetwork.com/melissa-darabian/bio/index.html I just thought that was cool. She used to work for the Mouse!

Jan

 

[DLR29]

I wanted to watch, but when we went to record it, it showed DD&D at 12:30 instead. Was it 12:30 Eastern time? That would be 9:30 over here and WAY too early for a Sunday morning.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, 12:30 Eastern. Right after Sandra Lee's new show about how to save money while cooking, and just before the Neeleys.

 

[chrismiss56]

Turned it off 1/2 through - She seemed forced to me and it started to bore me. I wish they had let her go with the Survival Guide instead.

 

[SKWDW]

I liked Melissa on NFNS and was looking forward to her new show. The $10 concept seemed out of the blue to me. It's only been a week since they aired her promo and it was all about kitchen survival. That being said, I enjoyed her show.

I also wish they had let her go with the Survival Guide instead.

p.s. Bob & Susie must have been thrilled to hear all that personal info. Personally, I think that one quick personal reference is fine for a 1/2 hour cooking show. It's supposed to be about the cooking!

 

[newtodis]

Wish I would have found this sooner! I'm so glad Melissa won but not sure who decided on the concept of the show.... I honestly think FN goes into the "challenges" knowing what kind of show they want and try to find a host for that "type" of show - not always the "best" cook/chef/personality/whatever. I hope the show gets better and FN realizes that yes people are trying to save money, but make a "regular" meal and give us tips along the way so we can decide where to "cut costs" based on what we're able to spend or use in the meal.

And I agree - what's up with everyone getting a show about random food stuff? I was peeved for a while about other hosts on FN - it seemed once you got one show on there you got like 5 (Paula - Paula's Home Cooking, Paula's Best Dishes, Paula's Party; Guy - Guy's Big Bite, Diners, Drive In and Dives; Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, ect).

 

[Buckalew11]

I tivoed this on Sunday and just watched it tonight.

I enjoyed it. I enjoyed watching her. I loved her tips and the food looked easy and very good. I'm going to try the whole meal!

I actually like the idea that she's doing yummy food on less money. Right now, I have less money to spend and so it is timely for me. It is nice to know you can eat some good stuff for less money. I usually get stuck in a rut.

 

[RitaZ.]

I made the potato gratins and they were quite good. Not sure how healthy they are with the heavy cream!