Ep 12. Octopus

In season 2 episode 12 of Iron Chef, the spotlight is on octopus. The food network has brought together two of the world's top chefs, Iron Chef Morimoto and Challenger Chef Tim Cushman, to create dishes placed before a panel of esteemed judges who will then determine a winner. In the first round of cooking, there is 20 minutes on the clock, and each chef must create a dish using the secret ingredient of fresh octopus.

Iron Chef Morimoto begins his cooking by boiling his octopus to tenderize it. He then creates a dish called “Ebi-chan” which is a type of nabe hotpot dish. He uses other ingredients such as squid, shrimp, and other seafood to create a variety of textures and levels of flavor in the dish. Morimoto finishes up his dish with a sprinkling of flavorful Japanese herbs. Challenger Chef Tim Cushman also takes a different turn with his dish. Instead of boiling his octopus, Cushman grills it and serves it with grilled vegetables. He also uses saffron mussel broth and a homemade black truffle mash to complement the dish.

In the second round, the chefs get another 20 minutes to use their creativity to create a dish using the remaining octopus that will stand out above the other contestants' dishes. Iron Chef Morimoto decides to create a dish called “Yumipon” which is a sushi roll with a twist – it's wrapped in crispy octopus skin. To add more flavors to the dish, he also uses additional raw seafood such as tuna and shrimp, along with avocado and cucumber. This sushi roll is then served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce with pickled wasabi stem and ginger to balance out the flavors. Challenger Chef Cushman goes for a more classic dish by making an octopus over lemon puree with fennel, which is a horseradish-like plant. He also creates a squid ink risotto to add more flavor and texture to his dish. He finishes off the dish by topping it with roasted cherry tomatoes and some tender octopus tentacles.

The dishes are then presented to the judges who evaluate them based on their taste, presentation, and creativity. The panel of judges includes a trained chef, a professional food critic, and a knowledgeable food enthusiast. The judges are particularly impressed with Iron Chef Morimoto's dishes and decide that he is the clear winner. Morimoto is crowned the winner and the audience cheers as he accepts his prize.

Overall, episode 12 of Iron Chef is an exciting and intense show filled with innovative dishes and surprises. The chefs showcased their talent and creativity, impressing both the judges and the audience with their impressive dishes. Anyone who enjoys cooking or watching culinary competitions will find this episode of Iron Chef to be both entertaining and educational. It is a show that is sure to captivate the viewer's attention and leave them wanting more.