Ep 4. Ghosts of Holiday Ingredients Past

Iron Chef America is a cooking competition show that features some of the nation's top chefs battling it out in the kitchen. In season 12, episode 4, titled "Ghosts of Holiday Ingredients Past," the Iron Chefs are tasked with creating dishes using festive and classic holiday ingredients.

The episode begins with host Alton Brown introducing the theme of the challenge: holiday ingredients. He explains that the Iron Chefs will have to create dishes using these ingredients and that they will be judged on both taste and presentation.

The first ingredient for the chefs to use is gingerbread cookies. Iron Chef Flay decides to incorporate the cookies into his entree by creating a gingerbread-crusted pork chop. Iron Chef Symon opts for a lighter approach by using the gingerbread in his dessert, creating a gingerbread mousse with poached pears.

The second holiday ingredient the chefs have to work with is eggnog. Iron Chef Guarnaschelli decides to use the eggnog in her sauce for her entree, which consists of a seared duck breast with a wild mushroom and eggnog sauce. Iron Chef Zakarian decides to create a dessert using the eggnog, making a eggnog panna cotta with caramel sauce.

The third and final holiday ingredient is peppermint. Iron Chef Morimoto decides to use the peppermint in his entree by creating a peppermint teriyaki sauce for his tuna steak. Iron Chef Cora decides to use the peppermint in her dessert, making a peppermint hot chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting.

As the chefs cook, the judges watch and comment on their progress. The judges for this episode include food journalist Simon Majumdar, chef and restaurateur Marc Murphy, and Iron Chef America chairman Mark Dacascos.

As the tasting begins, each chef presents their dishes one by one. The judges taste each dish and make their comments, critiquing the flavors, presentation, and use of the holiday ingredients.

In the end, one of the Iron Chefs is declared the winner of the challenge based on their use of the holiday ingredients and the flavors and presentation of their dishes. The episode ends with the victorious chef receiving the traditional Iron Chef jacket and the audience clapping and cheering.

Overall, "Ghosts of Holiday Ingredients Past" is a festive and exciting episode of Iron Chef America that showcases the creativity and skill of the nation's top chefs. It's a must-watch for foodies and cooking enthusiasts alike.