According to Alton, Every Cutthroat Kitchen Competitor Needs This Pantry Ingredient

Hear from Alton to find out what one ingredient he thinks all Cutthroat competitors ought to grab in the pantry.

Related To:

Alton Brown

Host Alton Brown, as seen on Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen, Season 1.

Photo by: Jeremiah Alley ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Jeremiah Alley, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Spices, flour, bread, vinegar. These versatile ingredients are seemingly crucial to making and transforming myriad challenge dishes on Cutthroat Kitchen, but according to host Alton Brown, none of these is the most-crucial ingredient to grab while shopping.

On this week's all-new episode of the After-Show, he revealed that when it comes to those precious 60 seconds in the pantry, contestants ought to be sure to grab one ingredient above all else: eggs. "I don't care what you think you're making. Don't come out of the pantry without eggs," he said. "It's liquid meat and can do so many different things." From binding meats and creating batters and doughs to beefing up vegetarian dishes, eggs can shine both in and on countless dishes, and it's chefs' ability to know that before shopping that could ultimately save them while cooking.

Inspired to cook with eggs? Check out some of Alton's best egg plates below.

Don't miss an all-new episode of Cutthroat Kitchen on Sunday at 10|9c.