Carmel Resident Enters Food Network's 'Chopped At Home' Challenge

CARMEL, N.Y. -- Tara Eacobacci is deathly allergic to garlic and onions, and so has learned to develop flavors in her recipes so those two ingredients are not missed. Her goal? To one day have her own TV show teaching others how to cook for someone with food allergies.

Carmel Home Cook Tara Eacobacci.
Photo Credit: *Submitted*

Jeanne Muchnick

06/10/2016 5:00 p.m.

"There's no reason why someone with a food allergy should have another piece of dry, unflavored grilled chicken or unflavored salmon at your next barbecue," she said. "I want to teach people that developing flavors can be fun, exciting and delicious."

Eacobacci, who works for a pharmaceutical company in Danbury, Conn., recently entered the Food Networks Sargento "Chopped at Home Challenge" going on now through Monday, June 13 with Stuffed Thighs Rice Nachos Drizzled With Cheese. The recipe is not only food-allergy-friendly; it's gluten-free.

The Carmel resident said she likes playing around with ingredients, never following one recipe. "I look at many recipes with foods I like and get my ideas that way," she said. In fact, she's known among her friends and family for her finger-licking short-ribs and gluten-free lemon/lime cheesecake. She even said her Italian mother-in-law now not only likes her food, she asks for seconds.

"Now that's a compliment!" she said.

Go HERE to vote and type in Eacobacci's name.

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