The Bravo network has whipped up a delicious new recipe with Top Chef Masters, and its main ingredient is Kelly Choi.  Kelly, no stranger to television, declared that Top Chef Masters is her dream job.  "I loved the idea from the get-go," she said. “I live, breathe, and my purpose in life is to love and relish food and spread that joy."

While Top Chef Masters is a completely different program from its predecessor, Top Chef, I wondered if Kelly is at all compared to its hostess, Padma. “I haven't gotten that too much, but of course, she has set an amazing precedence for me and those are big shoes to fill,” she said. “But Masters has its own personality and its level of chefs is different. Also, they are competing for charity.”

While Kelly is the hostess, there are several contestants and three judges that include the iconic restaurant critic Gael Greene of New York magazine, British journalist Jay Rayner, and James Oseland, editor in chief of Saveur magazine. So what is it like working with Gael Greene, I asked.  "She is a trip; we can say anything we want … and she is a great dancer!"

As for the Big Apple’s greatest eateries, “There are some really great restaurants in New York, ” Kelly said. “I love to go to Gramercy Park Tavern during the holiday season." While discussing its warm ambiance, she added that she loved the tavern’s décor during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Kelly’s favorite holiday foods are butternut squash lasagna, a soup-based rice cake dish which is customary for New Year’s, and of course, the traditional turkey and cranberry. For dessert, her favorite is brownies with a little wasabi or cayenne pepper sprinkled on top. As for cocktails, she loves cold apple cider spiked with wine.

Kelly received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the College of William and Mary and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. While she admits that she has not been formally trained in food, "Food is a big part of Korean culture," she explained. Born in Seoul, Korea and raised in Virginia, Kelly reminisced about growing up and spoke fondly of her father’s commentary on every dish her mother prepared. “My mom and I cooked together a lot," she said.

In addition to Top Chef Masters, Kelly has been the hostess of NYC TV’s multi-Emmy award-winning series Secrets of New York.  In the documentary-style program, Kelly explores the well-hidden parts of New York City, such as the very top of skyscrapers like the Chrysler Building, the top of the George Washington Bridge and the inside of the subway system, just to name a few.

Kelly Choi resides in New York and truly enjoys her exciting and lucrative career in television.

Kelly Choi’s Ridiculously Easy Spicy Sweet Noodles

 
          This is an incredibly simple recipe that makes a great base for whatever protein you want to add to it. It’s also tasty enough to stand on its own, which I've done countless times. It's always light and delicious and perfect for those times when you don't feel like really cooking.
          Keep in mind that the beauty of this recipe is in how versatile it is. Use the measurements as approximations and add or subtract according to your taste.
 
Rice noodles or soba noodles (you can also use angel hair pasta)
Gochujang - A Korean hot red pepper paste that can be found at most Asian markets
Sugar
Sesame oil
Sesame seeds
 
          Cook noodles according to package directions.
Drain most of the water out of noodles, leaving about 1-2 tablespoons.
          Add a dollop or so of gochujang, according to taste. (I like to add 2 dollops, which makes the noodles spicy.)
Dissolve paste in water left in pot and mix.
          Pour sesame oil over noodles, about 2 tablespoons or so.  Sprinkle in sugar, about 1-2 tablespoons.  Mix well.
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top, and enjoy the spicy, sweet flavor!
 
Adding other ingredients
Grilled shrimp or julienned chicken or beef is delicious.  I also love topping the noodles with cilantro or bean sprouts and squeezing fresh lime on top for a Vietnamese-inspired taste.