My favorite Food Network show

Have you ever watched Chopped on Food Network? If you haven't, you must watch at least one episode. I know what you're thinking: with all the quality network television shows to watch, it's hard to believe I opt for this instead. But it's almost impossible not to get hooked once you start watching.

It starts with 4 chefs in an appetizer round. They each get a basket with 3-4 mystery ingredients and then have 20 minutes to incorporate all of them into a dish. All ingredients must be used. Worst dish gets chopped and chef goes home. Entree round is the same, except they have 30 minutes. By the dessert round, only two chefs remain. Winner gets bragging rights and $10,000.

I mean, seriously, where else are you ever going to see people come up with an appetizer that incorporates catfish and marshmallows (yes, they really did - and I was really glad I wasn't a judge who had to try 4 different versions of it). Or watch them figure out just how to cook ostrich meat or eel correctly. Or make a dessert out of tomatoes and chocolate. All in 20 to 30 minutes. This is high drama at it's best, folks!

I'm most impressed that not only do the competitors usually come up with dishes that use all the ingredients, they actually meet the time deadline and most of the time, the dishes actually look pretty good. I'm pretty sure I would still be trying to figure out what to do with the ingredients by the end of the time limit, much less actually cooking and plating anything to be judged.

As if this show wasn't awesome enough, this week they started...are you ready for this??...Chopped All-Stars, where the chefs who host shows on the Food Network channel compete against each other. I can't wait to see who gets grouped together to compete - talk about must-see TV! Hope you get to watch - Bon appetit!