I hate backbiting but I love great bites

I love watching the cooking shows especially the Masterchef New Zealand and Australia because the series includes Masterchef classes where I could learn lots of tips from the chefs. I told my Quay Lo that I don’t like any shows that include a lot of backbiting among contestants and he agrees. For whatever reason the Masterchef series from the U.S. is full of this unbecoming behavior. While I recognize that some of this may be due to editing it still makes me wonder what people derive from putting others down. I can't think of a reason other than some distorted means of elevating one's self at the expense of another. Do they not have a voice of conscience? I really feel backbiting is an evil act and it is so wicked. I hope it is the producers who have deliberately highlighted drama and backbiting in the shows to attract more viewers. Of course then we have to ask ourselves why that would be considered as a device to attract more viewers. What do you think?

In the Masterchef New Zealand and Australia shows, you don’t see the contestants speaking badly about each other. In fact they seemed to be very supportive of one another. I think this is the right thing to do. We can still support each other even in a competition. I think a victory is more honorable if it is won by skill instead of using dirty tactics.

In one episode of Masterchef class, New Zealand, I saw how mango cannelloni was made by one of the show hosts.  It seemed so easy to do and such an impressive dessert. As I am a mango lover, I could not wait to try making this at home. When I started to roll the mango slices, it was not so easy after all. I did it though, but as you will see, it is far from perfect. My rolling was not tight enough and I think the filling was way too wet. In my next attempt, I will reduce the amount of cream and pat dry the pineapple and see if that helps. Perhaps I should chill cannelloni for 24 hours before I cut it. Still, this is a pretty dessert isn't it? I can say that it is delicious. 

Mango Cannelloni 

Recipe from Chef Josh Emett, Masterchef NZ

Click on the photo to get the recipe

I’m submitting this recipe to this month’s Cook Like A Star (Masterchef), hosted by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids, Anuja of Simple Baking and Baby Sumo of Eat your heart out

Mango salsa

I was introduced to Salsa by my hubby in 1996 when we were still in the states.  He made a bowl of salsa when we invited my good friend and his lovely wife Linda to our home for dinner one evening.  However, he did not put any mango. When I made it myself, I always put mango and I find that the mango enhanced the flavor more. Oh for those who like it a little more spice, add some Tabasco sauce. I love salsa and find it a very refreshing appetizer and it can vet up a appetite for the main course.

We usually serve salsa with Corn chips as an appetizer but tonight I am going to use it as a topping for pork burger. 

Ingredients

3 plum tomatoes diced

½ mango diced

1 cup choped parsley

½ red capsicum diced

½ yellow capsicum diced

½ orange capsicum diced

½ lemon (squeezed out the juice)

2 tb extra virgin olive oil

½  medium white onion diced

1 ts sugar

Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

In a big bowl put all the above ingredient together and mix well and put it into fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. It taste better eating cold.