CHAPTER SEVEN

MENUS

FROM DATE NIGHT TO SURF AND TURF, ECLECTIC ETHNIC TO A FESTIVAL OF TRUFFLES, THESE MENUS GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR FINE DINING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SOME ARE INSPIRED BY HELL’S KITCHEN CHALLENGES, SOME HAVE BEEN PUT TOGETHER FROM DINNER SERVICES, AND ALL ARE DRESSED TO IMPRESS AND DAZZLE YOUR GUESTS.

WELCOMING HOME A HERO

Based on the special service for a marine staff sergeant who had just come home from a year-plus tour of duty in Iraq. Serve this elevated comfort food menu to one of our nation’s finest to celebrate their safe return.

STARTERS

Caesar Salad, Baby Gems, Pickled Red Onion, Parmesan Croutons

King Crab Capellini with Chili, Lime, and Green Onion

ENTRÉES

New York Strip, Truffle Polenta Fries, Tomato Jam, Sautéed Spinach, Red Wine Jus

Eight-Ounce Beef Burger with Caramelized Onion and Bacon Jam, Sharp Cheddar, and Special Sauce on a Brioche Bun with Sweet Potato Fries

Lemon and Thyme-Roasted Chicken Breast, Sweet Corn Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, and Chicken Jus

SIDE

Rainbow-Colored Carrots with Butter and Parsley

DESSERT

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

STYLISH VERSIONS OF EVERYDAY DISHES

This menu turns comfort food into fine dining, a task well known to Hell’s Kitchen contestants.

STARTER

Butter Lettuce Salad

ENTRÉE

Eight-Ounce Beef Burger with Caramelized Onion and Bacon Jam, Sharp Cheddar, and Special Sauce on a Brioche Bun with Sweet Potato Fries

SIDE

Truffle Mac and Cheese

DESSERT

Red Velvet Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

HELL’S KITCHEN CRAPS

In this challenge, each chef rolls a lettered die and quickly calls out an ingredient starting with that letter: P for potatoes, D for duck, L for lime, a second L for lemon, H for heirloom tomatoes, and P again for pine nuts was the roll of the die for one winning team. This is a fun one to try at home!

STARTERS

Trio of Oysters

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata, Pine Nut Gremolata, and Pickled Red Onion

ENTRÉES

Creamy Asparagus Risotto with Lemon and Mascarpone

Duck Breast with Walnut-Grape Compote

SIDE

Dauphinoise Potatoes

DESSERT

Lemon Meringue Tart with Lemon Sorbet