Round 1, Challenge 5: Rainbow trout, honey whole wheat bread from Great Harvest Bread Company, apples courtesy of Alexian Brothers Health Care and hoisin sauce
David Rench: I didn't open my mystery basket until I returned home. I wanted to be surprised and see what would enter my head first. As I opened the bag I saw trout, bread and immediately saw a stuffed whole trout in my mind. I thought the first thought about stuffed trout was too ordinary. ... until the fish cakes idea entered my head. I have made crabcakes with a side of coleslaw, so I thought why not fish cakes and a side. ... From watching way too much food TV, I knew that Thai wants a balance of sweet, heat, sour and salt. So I took the ginger, lime, carrot, Sriracha and apple to make the base of the slaw. I ended up getting most of the sweet for the fish cakes from the hoisin, in the form of a striped garnish to make the plate pretty. I am a firm believer that we eat with our eyes first; so always make the plate look appetizing.
Roberta Fahey: My mystery ingredients were hoisin sauce, six apples, two large round honey whole wheat breads and rainbow trout. I used the hoisin sauce along with other ingredients for the trout. The bread and apples were used in the stuffing with a little Asian twist which is why I included the bok choy and water chestnuts. I had a lot of fun creating my menu and I hope that all of my hard work, love and dedication for food and creativity will be appreciated.