Miss Universe Badia Spice Cooking Contest

Miss Universe Contest here in Miami — lot’s of events surrounding it. I was surprised that one of them was a cooking contest.  Do these beauties really eat let alone cook? The answer is yes.  Here are their photoes in the kitchen and one winning recipe.

The four top winners are pictured here with Pepe Badia, owner of Badia Spices. 

Here are the contestants eating dinner prepared by the culinary students at FIU Hospitality School.

 Miss Nicaraugua’s recipe

Steak with Japapeno Sauce and Sweet Plantain Mash

2 steak medallions, 1 cup Bdia Sour Ornage, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 cups cream, 2 jalapeno peppers, 2 galic cloves, 1 onion, 2 tablespoons parsley, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper.

marinade the steaks in sour orange, salt andpepper to taste .  In a saucepan, melt the butter in medium heat.  Saute theonion and garlic 2 minutes.  Add the jalapeno and cook for 2 minutes.  Add cream.  Let simmer 5 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add parsley and process in food processor.  Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat eith oilive oil.  Cook steaks 4 minutes per side.  Remove and let test 3 minutes.  Serve with halapeno sauce.

Sweet Plantain Mash

3 very ripe plantains, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, salt and 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro.  Add plantains to a pot of salted boiling water.  Boil 20 minutes.  Remove and mash.  Add nutmeg, cilantro and salt and pepper.

Fried Quequisque (malanga) Strips

1 cup malanga julienne strips, frying oil. Heat oil to frying tempaerature.  Add strips and fry 4 minutes or until crisp.  Serve over steak.