Since I was so sick recently, I had a lot of time to lie on the couch and watch hours of TV — which I never do. And I got hooked on some of the programming on the Food Network, which — if you know me — you know is an unusual choice for me to be watching.

One of my favorite shows is Chopped, where four chefs have to make an appetizer, entree, and dessert. For each course, they have a mystery basket with four ingredients — and they must use all ingredients in some way in their dish.

Here’s an example of what one chef did for the contest. Also, he seems like an awesome guy in general. 🙂

This morning, on the way to work, I was thinking about this show (probably because I had watched an episode just before going to bed last night), and pondered why I was attracted to it.

The competition, to be sure, but there was more…

Oh! That’s what it is!

Because this is like my cooking!

I open my fridge and my pantry and there’s not much there. But somehow, from these odd ingredients, I need to make for myself a meal.

I do this just about every day! 🙂

Anyone else in the same position? How do you think you would do on Chopped?