It’s episode 27 of MasterChef Australia 2023 and it was a Pressure Test with a twist as Adi, Theo and Grace had to replicate a dish with no recipe!
With just two hours on the clock, the contestants had to use their taste buds and gut instincts to recreate Chef Luke Nguyen’s Beef Pho.
With ingredients waiting for them and their equipment provided, it was time to cook for Judges Jock Zonfrillo, Melissa Leong and Andy Allen, while Chef Luke was there to offer guidance.
Being a Pressure Test, whoever’s dish looked and tasted the least like the culinary expert’s, would be sent home!
The Pressure Test — Beef Pho
The first challenge in the Pressure Test saw the contestants identifying what was in Chef Luke’s steaming hot bowl of Beef Pho.
The trio recognised beef short rib, ox tail, rice noodles, and broth as the main ingredients, but there was something else hidden inside, a secret ingredient!
Luke revealed the “ancient delicacy”, of a bull’s penis, explaining it added a gelatinous texture to the broth and respected the ethos of eating the whole animal with minimal waste.
Before cooking, Luke advised the cooks that the broth should be clean and clear, flavoursome and well balanced.
Adi’s Cook
Adi was feeling excited and ready for her first-ever Pressure Test and as an avid Pho maker, she was off to a flying start: blanching those bones until the broth is crystal clear, and getting it cooked up in the pressure cooker before anyone else.
But then came the noodle drama because getting the perfect dough recipe was a wee bit trickier than she imagined.
After a few false starts, she finally nailed it on her fifth attempt – but time was running out, with only 15 minutes left to get that broth balanced and get her dish ready for tasting. Talk about pressure!
Theo’s cook
When it comes to Vietnamese cooking, Theo was a novice and struggled without the use of a recipe. Luckily, Luke and Jock came to the rescue, advising him to pare it down and reframe the dish as a simple soup.
After brewing the perfect broth in the pressure cooker, Theo aced the noodle-making, playing around with xanthan gum; however, the broth needed more work.
He worked on the taste, reduced and seasoned it to perfection, matching up to Luke’s standards.
Grace’s cook
Grace entered the challenge optimistic; however, like Theo, was rattled without a recipe.
Unlike the other competitors, she prioritised caramelizing her bones before putting them into the pressure cooker and though it took some noodle dough experiments, she eventually nailed it.
Towards the end, her broth looked a little gloopy and fatty and Mel and Luke gave her the heads up to skim off some of the fat; however, was racing against the clock to create a balanced flavour.
Judging
Theo was excited to present his Beef Pho to the judges.
Andy called Theo’s dish “was “close to perfect”, while also congratulating him on turning his cook around.
Next up was Grace, who said she was “proud” of what she had delivered. The judges liked her seasoning and praised her noodles for being bouncy, silky and soft.
Since she roasted her meat and bones at the start of her cook, Grace’s broth was heavy and cloudy which was also exacerbated by the fact she didn’t skim the fat off the top. Unfortunately, the judges were left with unpleasant greasy palates.
Finally, Adi presented her dish to the judges.
Her pho was praised for its broth clarity and well-cooked protein; however, it lacked seasoning.
The Verdict
Due to the leaving an unwanted taste of grease in the mouths of the judges, Grace became the eighth eliminated contestant.
MasterChef Australia airs Sunday – Thursday at 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play.
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