Challenge 1: Hazel Oreluk makes an apricot sauce for her chicken breast dinner

I prepared Chicken Breast with Apricot Sauce, and Parsnip and Potato Chips with Sour Cream and Chives Dip, an easy-to-make, budget-friendly meal for someone who has limited time to cook. I thought chicken breasts, parsnips, and apricots would be easy to integrate but I was a bit puzzled with the sour cream. Assuming that there may be a few non-fans of parsnips (little ones especially), I thought I'd "hide" it among the potato chips. I think the intimidation of being in the challenge coupled with planning dishes that would be agreeable to adults and kids alike were the hard parts. I used ingredients in ways a regular home cook would use them avoiding complicated preparation and cooking methods.

My technical low was the time it took to brown the chicken breast whole, so I opted to cut it in strips. The high was tasting the parsnips chips! I often use parsnips in soups or stews but have never done it as a chip. When I was cutting the parsnips, it smelled "cinnamony" so I was not sure how it would taste after deep frying it. My husband, toddler, and I tasted it, and we loved it! I think I found a healthier alternative to french fries. With fall coming, this meal would be perfect for colder weather because the chicken with apricot sauce is hearty while the parsnips and potato chips are comfort food. My husband said it goes well with beer!

I had this picture-perfect plating in my head but due to room temperature, knife skills, and other factors, the plating did not turn out as well despite my reconfiguring it to look "artsy" on a plate. Can I say "rustic Midwest" as a presentation style? (note to self: take classes on knife skills and piping skills.)

After this first challenge, I have so much respect for professionals: it's one thing to cook for family in a relaxed atmosphere and another to cook for customers who will be judging your work. Of course, I would like to be one of the Top Four and eventually win, but if it is not in the stars, this experience is rewarding. Finding out parsnips taste delicious as fried chips is one reward!