Nekohime Posts

1) Since we are on the internet, and we can't very well taste each other's dishes, we will be judging by how good your food looks. Use creative plate design and presentation, make fancy knife cuts, etc. Make us want to take the first flight available to your place so we can partake of your delicious dish!

2) You must post the recipe you used, and a source/link to said recipe if available. If you create your own recipe, we give you mad props and that should be taken into account when voting, but it is not a requirement. If you made something difficult and/or time-consuming, that is also a plus. Recipes will be judged on how delicious they sound and how well they fit the theme for the month.

3) Post at least two pictures of the preparation and/or cooking process and at least one picture of the final product. Limit it to six total pictures, though. All pictures must include a sign that says Fakku, your user name, and the date. Pictures without a sign will NOT be considered. (Addendum: must be a sign IN the picture, not added after the picture was taken, unless you are cooking for work or school. Just let me know if that is the case.)

4) Everybody can join; however, we will only accept one entry per contestant per month. You can change your entry as much as you want as long as it's before the deadline, but there can be only one!

5) Post your entry as a separate thread on Food and Cooking with the tag [Top Chef Fakku (month)] or a variation thereof, and post a link to it on this thread. You must post a link to your entry in this thread or we will NOT consider it.

6) The winner will be chosen through a public poll during the first five days of the subsequent month.

1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup short or medium grain rice (glutinous/sweet rice is preferred, but if you can't find it any other short or medium grain rice will do)
3-4 cups milk
generous pinch of cinnamon, plus more for garnish
generous pinch of salt
1/2 bar dark chocolate, chopped OR 4-5tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp instant coffee
1/2 tsp vanilla
Sugar, to taste (optional)

1) Melt the butter in a pan, then add the rice, tossing to coat. Immediately add in 2 cups of milk, cinnamon, and salt and heat it until the milk is steaming. You need CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!!(TM) in stirring, so the milk doesn't boil over or burn.

From TCF April - Caffeine

2) After a few minutes, reduce heat to low and cook for about 20min, adding more milk if the mixture gets too thick and the rice isn't soft yet. Again, practice CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!!(TM)

From TCF April - Caffeine

3) When the rice is soft, add in the dark chocolate (or cocoa powder), coffee, vanilla, and the optional sugar. I generally don't add sugar nowadays, since I find that the chocolate + glutinous rice is plenty sweet for me. Stir until everything is incorporated. I used Ghirardelli 86% dark chocolate just because that's what I had lying around the house.

From TCF April - Caffeine

4) You can eat it while it's warm, or stick it in the fridge to eat while it's cold. You can top it with more cinnamon and coffee, sugar, or whatever else you want. I think one time, I even topped it with cornflakes. I generally like eating it warm for breakfast, and cold for dessert.