While MasterChef waits for its budget to be approved, tonight’s contestants will need to create a stunning dish using just pantry staples.

The challenge follows on from last night, where the surprise guest chef was Jock Zonfrillo.

It’s certainly one sad mystery box reveal, as contestants lift the lid on their boxes to reveal flour and some more flour. Shockingly, there’s no Captain’s Table water crackers or Sultana Bran, and what kind of home pantry is this?

Can’t believe that tonight’s challenge is cooking using only pantry staples and not one person ordered Uber Eats. #MasterChefAU

— Katherine Allan (@kathrillhouse) May 5, 2021

The contestants have 75 minutes to create a dish using just the basics, as well as two additional ingredients from the garden, with the makers of the top five dishes going through to tomorrow’s immunity challenge.

Naturally, everyone decides to make ice cream, which is what everyone does with their pantry staples, right? There’s rosemary ice cream, basil ice cream, and thyme ice cream, and it’s so great to finally see some practical recipes that we can make at home.  

There’s just So much you can do with those ingredients so I’m doing ice cream #MasterChefAU

— Mad (@Madstar42) May 5, 2021

Therese is making basil ice cream, but she’s also making a crispy golden roti with chilli caramel, so we’ll overlook it this time. Jock pronounces it as one of the best rotis he’s ever eaten. “It was fantastic, it was crispy, buttery, and all the things we love in a roti.”

Kishwar is making pappardelle rolled out with basil leaves and topped with blow torched ricotta and a tomato broth, and that is not what pantry night looks like at our house (but we seriously wish it did).

Kishwar should win just on beautiful presentation and the fact that she didn’t make ice cream #MasterChefAU

— leakelodeon (@Asamishair) May 5, 2021

Sabina rolls out some super fluffy ricotta doughnuts with lemon curd and thyme ice cream – and that’s it, we’re going to have to have to give these a go, right now.

Do I need to buy an ice cream machine? I feel like I need to buy an ice cream machine. #MasterChefAU

— Dean Nye (@Dean_Nye) May 5, 2021

Judges Jock and Andy express their doubts about Depinder’s rosemary ice cream with poached apples, but they are soon eating their words. “Everything on that plate is textbook, the tuille is perfect… the rosemary ice cream is absolutely delicious.”

I need Depinder’s apples to be a success just to stick it to Jock and Andy. #masterchefau

— Tim Hutton (@TimHuttonAu) May 5, 2021

The top five contestants are revealed to be Kishwar, Depinder, Dan, Therese and Conor, who will battle it out for immunity tonight.

Related recipes: 26 doughnut recipes that will make you feel whole again

6 bakery treats you can make from pantry staples