I belong to a foodie group that does a Chopped challenge monthly. In my first month in the group I was honored to win the monthly cover photo challenge. This is my first attempt at the Chopped challenge and I’m pumped to compete! This months “basket” is pork belly, instant grits, lemon lime soda and honey. I pondered going with Asian flavors but went southern instead. Pork belly burnt ends finished in a homemade 7up BBQ sauce on a white cheddar and chive griddled grit cake with sweet and spicy fried grit breaded green tomatoes and pickled red onion. The creamy grits inside the crispy cake with the rich melt in your mouth pork is decadent. The fried tomato and tangy onions really complement the richness of the pork. To utilize my basket the pork belly was cubed and then marinated overnight in a diet 7up and soy with garlic solution.I had no time to smoke so did them in the instant pot to tender and then broiled in the oven to finish. The bbq sauce is diet 7up based with sugar free ketchup, Worcestershire, Brown Swerve and spices including onion , garlic, red pepper , black pepper and a little allspice and ginger. Grit cake is instant grits with cheddar and chives stirred in. Refrigerated overnight in circular molds and then fried on the griddle until nice and crispy. Green tomatoes are dredged in cornmeal , egg wash and then instant grits mixed with red pepper and paprika, fried and brushed with honey. Lastly the red onion was quick pickled in apple cider vinegar , Swerve sweetener and some red pepper. Pretty tasty, I kept the belly and sauce keto so I can eat it. The rest goes to our daughter and she doesn’t mind lol Judging is on use of the basket, originality and plating. Competition is stiff so we shall see thanks for looking!