Chinese New Year Cooking Demo @ ToTT by Chef Eric Low

Last Sunday, I was invited by OpenRice (Singapore) to attend their first cooking demo class with ToTT (Tools of the Trade) on the Chinese New Year Workshop - Good Fortune, conducted by Chef Eric Low. Despite of the gloomy and raining weather, all participants were still very excited about the class and everyone were also eager to pick up some tips and cooking skill from Chef Eric.

The three hours cooking class was indeed a fun and fruitful one with Chef Eric whom is humorous and knowledgeable with his answers during the class. Although there was no hands-on but Chef Eric makes every little details visible thru two big TV screen in front of the class where we could get a good view of the ingredients plus steps during cooking process.

ToTT-ful Christmas Sale

Christmas is just about 3 weeks around the corner and from now till 25 December 2012. During this period ToTT Christmas Sale not only features exciting new products in the store but also their promotions on bundled Christmas Gift Sets, 50% discounts on selected Cooking Classes as well as their exciting new Christmas Menu (shown below) at the ToTT Bistro.

Below are some of brief run through and highlights on ToTT Christmas Sale but you could read up more on their website here.

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Pizza Perfector (UP S$249.00; Sale Price: S$199.00) from Theo And Co is a new addition to ToTT store with it's easy‐to‐use, electronic, countertop pizza cooker which designed and used by master pizza chef, Theo Kalogeracos.

This electric pizza oven features a rotating tray with an upper and lower heating element for even cooking. On top of that, it also comes with an automatic timer switches which off when the pizza is done in approximately 10 minutes in order to ensure flawlessly cooked pizza.

EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS GIFT SETS

And for this Christmas, ToTT has put together bundled Christmas Gift Sets, which feature up to 50% Discount, to cater to individuals with different cooking and hosting preferences.

Under the Cook Gift Sets, the bundled set of IMPERIA Noodle Maker and IBILI Raviolis Cutter shown above (UP: S$77.90, Sale Price: S$54.40) is ideal for budding pasta makers who can show off their pasta dishes during this festive season.

Whereas on the other hand, you have SUNNEX (HK) Aluminum Roasting Dish with ZYLISS SWITZERLAND) Baster with Syringe and Cooking String Roll (UP S$39.20; Sale Price: S$27.00) which is a perfect Christmas gift for roasting feast this festive season.

I am sure this ZYLISS (SWITZERLAND) Salad Spinner with Salad Knife and WESTMARK (GERMANY) Dressing Shaker (UP S$58.90; Sale Price S$41.00) would be a great helper to you while preparing some salad to go with the Christmas Roast or potluck party.

Furthermore, during the Christmas Sale period, ToTT members and DBS/POSB credit card holders are also entitled to enjoy 50% Discount Off (Usual S$118.00) selected cooking classes held onsite. More details of the schedules and classes can be found here.

CHRISTMAS MENU AT TOTT'S BISTRO

From now to 25 December 2012, ToTT Bistro has specially prepared 4 delgithful Christmas dishes shown below to whet your appetite at affordable price of ONLY S$8.50 each. I am already eying on the "Roast Pork Belly with Cranberry Sauce" which I am going to try it once it is available in their bistro.

Turkey Pastrami Pizza

Zucchini And Tomato Spaghetti (Vegetarian)

Roast Pork Belly with Cranberry Sauce

Lamb Stew with Mashed Potato

So do head down to ToTT if you are looking for some kitchenware or gift sets this coming Christmas as I am sure there is something that suits your preference.

ToTT
896 Dunearn Road
01-01A
Singapore 589472
Telephone: (65) 62197077


Store Operating Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11.00am - 9.00pm
Sat, Sun And PH: 10:00am - 9:00pm

Bistro Operating Hours:
Mon - Fri: 10.30am - 9.00pm
Sat, Sun And PH: 9:30am - 9:00pm


Note: All related photos and products information and pricing in this post are credited to ToTT and FoodNews.

Black Sesame Paste With Almonds Using Cuisinart Hot And Cold Blender

Black Sesame Paste is one of the common dessert found in dessert chain outlets such as Ah Chew Desserts, Dessert Hut, Er Gu Dessert (二姑糖水) and etc. And some believe that by consuming black sesame paste it also helps to nourish the blood, lubricate the intestines and clear "wind" in the stomach too.

On the down side, for those suffer from spleen troubles, diarrhoea or loose stools should avoid over-consumption of these small seeds.

BLACK SESAME PASTE WITH ALMONDS

After the previous recipes on Broccoli And Spinach Soup, Pumpkin And Meat Porridge; this post I would be sharing another quick Asian dessert which I am sure most of you would love it. The consistency of this Black Sesame Paste could be adjust with additional 100 - 150ml more of water during cooking if you prefer a more dilute and watery paste.

(Serves: 4 | Preparation: 10 minutes | Cooking: 20 minutes)

Ingredients:
150g Black Sesame Seeds
50g Uncooked Rice
4 Cups (1000ml) Water
150g Caster Sugar/Rock Sugar
1 Stalk Pandan Leave, knotted
50g Roasted Almonds, roughly chopped

Method:-
1. Pre-soaked the rice for at least 30 minutes, drain well and set aside.

2. Rinse the black sesame seeds, drain well and pan-fry till completely dry and fragrant.

3. Place sesame seeds and rice into Cuisinart Hot And Cold Blender glass jug together with water. Set the timer to 20 minutes, blend the mixture for 30 seconds using SPEED 1.

4. Next add in pandan leave and sugar, bring the mixture to boil on HIGH for 5 minutes before switching it to SIMMER and continue to cook until end of the cycle.

5. When everything is cooked, remove the "pandan leave" and PULSE the mixture twice or more to achieve your desire texture.

6. Ladle Black Sesame Paste between serving bowls, garnish with roasted almonds and serve immediately.

To serve you could top it with some roasted almond to enhance the taste or even with a scoop of Vanilla Ice-cream if you are open to some adventure new combination. Till then I would update more recipes such as "Watermelon Granita", "Porridge", "Bolognese Sauce" using Cuisinart Hot And Cold Blender soon.

STAND A CHANCE TO WIN CUISINART SILICONE WARE

Just for your information, I saw from ToTT's Facebook page that they already round-up the 8 Finalists for Cuisinart Soup Making Competition (Singapore region) which will take place on 01 December 2012. After which the winning team will represent Singapore in the regional competition in Hong Kong for the championship! So why not "VOTE" and support your favourite soup shown above at ToTT Facbook Page (link here) and be one of the 4 Lucky Voters to win a set of Cuisinart Silicone Ware worth S$80.00!

I have "voted" the Healthy Prawn Broccoli Soup (2nd row, 2nd soup), what about you?