What I Would Have Done: The Bon Appétit Challenge

In the latest episode of “The Next Food Network Star,” the contestants competed for the chance to showcase their recipes on the July cover of Bon Appétit magazine. The theme was “a new way of grilling” and the winner was Rory and her baby back ribs. The editors of Bon Appétit says they’re always looking for recipes that are simple for the home cook, innovative and visually appetizing.

When I thought about what I would have done in the challenge (the contestants had 90 minutes to develop and cook their recipes), I thought about grilled salads because I think that’s a refreshing change from ribs (sorry Rory) and beef that’s typically slapped onto the summer grill. Grilled salads are also fast because it doesn’t take that long to cook. My favorite salad is the traditional Caesar salad, so that’s what I made for my make-believe presentation to the Bon Appétit editors. It’s simple and quick, and I added a twist with my anchovy-Parmesan crostinis instead of croutons. What do you think? Do you think it’s worthy of the July cover of Bon Appétit?