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Buying Guides, Tips & Tricks

A Guide to Bread Making Tools

Posted on by editor
29
Apr

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A Guide to Bread Making Tools

Baking bread is relatively simple: Combine flour, water, yeast, and salt, proof it, pop it in the oven, and—voilà!— your very own homemade loaf. You might already have certain bread-making tools such as mixing bowls, measuring jugs and rolling pins however bread baking speciality tools can help you bake even better! Read on to find which bread-making tools and equipment you need.

1.Bread Proofing Basket

Ever wonder how artisan bread bakers get such perfect round loaves every single time? The secret is using a proofing basket. It helps to support and keep the shape and structure through their final rise. The natural rattan also leaves an attractive spiral pattern on the dough – a homespun aesthetic touch you will love.

Tip: Before first use, spray the inside slightly with an enzyme-free releasing agent to protect the rattan, and dust with flour. The basket can be cleaned every four weeks using a brush without water. To sanitise, simply place the basket in the oven for 20 minutes at 120° -140°C.

2. Cast Aluminium Loaf Pan

If you’re hoping to bake your bread into a sandwich loaf then a sturdy loaf pan is a must. These are necessary for quick breads and offer the perfect shape for a sturdy loaf bound for sandwiches. Nordic Ware Non-stick Classic Loaf Pan provides the ultimate in bread-baking perfection. This roomy loaf pan provides an even baking surface for a better rise to any bread recipe and can handle a 1 1/2-pound loaf. Its non-stick surface makes for extremely easy cleanup. Other than making quick breads, use them to make delicious marble or banana bread too!

3.Digital Weighing Scale

Too much flour packed into your measuring cup can make the bread dry and crumbly. With a scale, you will know exactly how much ingredient you’re using every single time. This eliminates a lot of uncertainty right off the bat and puts you in a position to control your bread and not the other way around! Safico Pro Digital Weighing Scale is a highly accurate digital scale that features a removable stainless steel platform, an easy to read LCD screen and gives accurate and precise measurements.

4.Bench Scraper

If you’re looking for a way to handle dough without it sticking to your hands, this essential tool is perfect for your kitchen. It’s great for scooping flour back into the dough, flipping your mixture upside down, pressing wet and dry ingredients together, cutting and portioning out dough. It can also double up as a cutting tool for other foods.

5. Bread Scorer / Baking Blade

No baker’s set of tools is complete without a high-quality bread scorer. The purpose is primarily to control the direction in which the bread will expand during “oven spring.” It can also be used decoratively to showcase a baker’s skill or indicate different bread varieties on a bakery display shelf. Score a beautifully risen dough before baking with durable Schneider Baker’s Blade. Its super-sharp razor blade will allow precision-shaped cuts on your loaves without deflating or pressing down the dough. Perfect addition for the enthusiastic bread baker.

Buying Guides, Tips & Tricks

Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Posted on by editor
31
Mar

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Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste

Food waste makes up about half of the average 1.5kg waste disposed by Singapore’s households  daily.  Most people don’t realize how much food they throw away every day — from uneaten leftovers to fruits and vegetables that could be eaten or repurposed. You can help reduce food waste by following these 5 easy tips in this article. Every little bit helps.

1. Shop Smart & Plan Ahead

Keep a list of what you have in your fridge, a quick way is to take a ‘shelfie’ (photo of your fridge and cupboard).Make a meal plan and a grocery list before you start shopping. This will help you to avoid over-buying, reduce impulse purchase and reduce food waste. Tend to forget what you need to get, let Securit chalkboards and chalk markers help you with it. Let them have a permanent place in your home, and start penning down what you need!

2. Store Food Correctly

Do you know that potatoes, cucumber and onions should not be refrigerated and should be kept at room temperature? Knowing how to store your food correctly can increase their shelf life and prevent them from premature ripening or rotting.

Stor’eat from Mastrad, connected storage system helps reduce waste and prevent food waste in households. Designed in borosilicate glass, they resist extreme temperatures (-20°; +400°C) and can go directly from the freezer to the oven as well as from the refrigerator to the microwave. You can even download the Stor’eat mobile app that makes these boxes smart and connected. Scan the QR codes located on the Stor’eat boxes https://bit.ly/3wRCtZ1 to optimize your storage and better control your supplies, remember expiration dates, and find your food quickly in your fridge, freezer or cupboard.  Less waste, for a sustainable consumption!

3. Pick the Uglies

Try some ugly fruits and vegetables and make use of food that might otherwise go to waste. Off-colour or misshapen fruit and vegetables are often thrown away because they don’t meet cosmetic standards. But in fact, they taste the same, if not better. The next time you visit the grocery store, do your part by choosing slightly imperfect produce at the grocery store, or better yet, directly from the local farmers.

4. Learn to Preserve

Food preservation is a skill that has been cultivated for hundreds of years and is still used today. Preservation methods prevent foods from going bad, save money, and can improve flavour. There are many ways to preserve foods – pickling, drying, canning, fermenting, freezing and curing are methods you can use to make food last longer.  Le Parfait Mason jars have been specifically designed for long-term food preservation and have been approved for use with foodstuffs worldwide since the 1930s. Use these jars for canning fruit preserves, packing snacks for a picnic, or even use as an everyday drinkware! The brilliantly clear glass provides a view of the freshness of food and drinks  drinks which will never stain or retain odours.

5. Pack a Meal

One of the simplest ways to avoid food waste on the go is to bring  along your home cooked Investing in quality food storage containers like Zebra Stainless Steel Food Carriers that is easy to clean and fuss free to carry around makes a huge difference. Not a morning person? Try making extra portions of evening meals to keep in the fridge as ready-to-go packed lunches can eliminate the need to spend extra time making lunch before work or school in the morning.

Buying Guides, Tips & Tricks

Essential Pasta Making Tools

Posted on by editor
02
Mar

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Essential Pasta Making Tools

Pasta is one of the most widely consumed foods around. Homemade pasta is incredibly tasty and filling without being overly indulgent. Did you know that fresh homemade pasta absorbs sauces better and taste better too!

We nailed down the essential tools you require to make, cook, and serve pasta at home the way we like to do it.

1. Imperia iPasta Detachable Noodle Maker

Making your homemade pasta is easy as 1-2-3 with the Imperia iPasta detachable Noodle Maker. Not only is it easy to use but your family will be able to taste the difference between homemade and store-bought pasta!

Imperia’s Italian chrome-plated steel noodle maker is a must-have to all pasta lovers around the world. Fuss-free, the machine clamps to the side of your table, leaving your hands free for feeding dough through the rollers onto the guiding tray. It is easy to use and clean and features an adjustment dial that lets you make six different types of pasta, including linguine, ravioli, tortellini and super thin spaghettini!

2. Cuisinart Pasta Roller and Cutter Attachment

Bring the taste of fresh pasta into your home with this Pasta Roller and Cutter Set that attaches directly to your Cuisinart Stand Mixer. The pasta sheet roller lets you make fresh lasagne or hand-cut pasta of different thicknesses, while the other two cutters make fettuccine or spaghetti. Homemade pasta will become an everyday affair!

3. Imperia Raviolamp, Ravioli Classici

Roll your way to homemade ravioli success with the same tool used by Italian home cooks. Simply roll out a sheet of dough, place it on the base, add your desired filling and cover it with another sheet. Lastly, gently roll the pin over to cut and seal it. Voila, you have your perfect homemade ravioli.

4. Lacor Beechwood Rolling Pin

If you’re making homemade fresh pasta without a machine, a rolling pin is crucial for getting the dough perfectly thin, especially if making filled pasta where the dough will double in thickness once cooked. Lacor Beechwood Rolling Pin tapered style is the shape choice for most professional chefs as it allows for more manoeuvrability and control.

5. Imperia Wooden Square Pasta Drying Rack, Stendipasta

The worst thing that can happen after making a delicious batch of fresh pasta is seeing them stick together and become a heap of pasta. Unlike a sheet tray, which will trap the dough’s humidity when it makes contact with the pan, a drying rack ensures air flows evenly all around your dough. Hang and dry fettuccine, spaghetti and pasta sheets thoroughly before storing in air-tight containers or for an hour or so if freezing for later use.

6. Zyliss Pasta Tongs

Tongs are essential to prevent the pasta from slipping away when you are trying to get them out of the pot or when serving. Zyliss Pasta Tongs will hold on to your pasta through the spaghetti forks and not let it slide through. Designed for single-handed use, it features silicone tips that are heat resistant up to 400° F. This makes them perfect for swirling things around and plating your noodles to a restaurant-level flare.

7. Jamie Oliver Wooden Pasta Spoon

Get ready for a spaghetti dinner with pasta utensils. This chunky funky Jamie Oliver Acacia wood pasta spoon is perfect for lifting and serving spaghetti and noodles. Made from solid Acacia wood, it is safe to use with non-stick cookware. The pronged design grips noodles and a central slot allows liquid to drain through. 

8. Microplane Premium Stainless Steel Zester

Need finely grated cheese for pasta? Nothing beats using a Microplane Zester. Simply take out your favourite Parmigiano-Reggiano block and rub it against the grater, directly over your plate of pasta. See the light wisps of cheese flutter down and start to melt on contact. This multi-purpose tool can also be used for grating garlic, ginger, zesting citrus too.

Bonus!

Join our hands-on pasta making classes and learn the basic techniques of rolling and shaping pasta. Learn to make your favourite Italian fettuccine, gnocchi or stuffed ravioli and more!

ToTT Junior Chef: Handmade Pasta & Chocolate Mousse
09 Apr 2022 | 11:00am to 1:00pm

Pasta Master Class
01 Apr 2022 | 11:00am to 1:00pm

Buying Guides, Tips & Tricks

Essential Kitchen Tools For Healthy Eating

Posted on by editor
26
Jan

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Essential Kitchen Tools For Healthy Eating

Have you been food binging during this festive season? Time to swap your diet and start eating healthy for a new me! From a spiralizer to a pair of herb scissors, we have rounded up a few essentials that can inspire you to eat more greens! Each one helps to simplify and shorten your food prep or cooking time.

1. Mastrad Multi Slicer Mandoline Green

You don’t have to learn any knife skills to achieve these precise cuts. With the Mastrad Multi Slicer Madoline, it comes with a set of five blades for grating, thinly slicing and cutting. Designed for safety, the tool features a food guard that keeps fingers away from the blade. Non-skid folding feet can be opened to elevate the stand, or collapsed inward for storage. Use this nifty tool to make creamy vegetable bakes or a salad in a jar!

Check out this recipe from Good House Keeping: Salad in a Jar

2.Benriner Vegetable Turning Slicer

With this vegetable-turning slicer, any vegetable can be cut into strands of different sizes within minutes. Made of Japanese highest grade steel, it consists of 3 interchangeable blades consisting of fine, medium and coarse. You can switch out the blades easily with the simple turning of the thumbscrew. A must have too for your CNY yu-sheng prep and skip those carbs by creating your own zucchini “pasta” if you have been having too many ba kwa. 

 

Check out this recipe from Tasty: Chicken Pesto and Zucchini Pasta

3. Westmark Herb Scissors

If you’re adding herbs to a meal when cooking, forget the knife and chopping board! Grab this lifesaver – Westmark Herb Scissors and simply chop a bunch in 1 quick snip! Made of stainless steel with ergonomic handles, the herb scissors have five stacked blades on each side, so it is easy to snip your herbs or scallions as small as you would like. If you’re worried about the scissors themselves being clogged with food fret not as they come with a cleaning comb.

4. Cuisinart 5L Digital Glass Steamer

Looking for a way to cook healthy food? Equip your kitchen with the Cuisinart Digital Glass Steamer. Steaming is a healthy and effective cooking technique because foods like vegetables retain their nutrients, as opposed to when they’re simmered in water where nutrients can leach out. The 5-liter glass cooking pot is large enough for family-size portions of vegetables, fish, chicken, rice, and more. Complete with digital LCD controls, you get full control of how you want to steam your food with pause and reheat functions

5. Zyliss Swift Dry Salad Spinner

With the Zyliss Swift Dry Salad Spinner to wash, clean, and dry your leafy greens, you might be inspired to eat more greens–and you won’t need to buy pricey bagged salads anymore. From prep to serve, it only takes a couple of steps, with just a single pump of the lever, you can effortlessly spin the water from your salad. Tight for time? This nifty gadget allows your salad to spin freely until it settles or use the brake button to stop the spin when it is convenient for you.

Buying Guides, Recipes, Tips & Tricks

Eggs Cooking Skills

Posted on by editor
28
Dec

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Be an eggxpert in no time

The ToTT of being a Chef #1: The eggciting start

“What to cook first?” is a question that many will ask when they think about learning how to cook or planning to whip up a simple meal.

With our ever handy guides from gifting, equipment usage and even recipes, let us introduce you to our new series for aspiring chefs and bakers with “The ToTT of being a Chef”  Let us inspire you to Cook, Bake and Host from understanding the basics of creaming in baking to mastering how to perfect a soft boiled egg.  Not only will you get to enjoy hacks and tips from us, the series will recommend you the right tools to go along with your cooking or baking journey. 

One of the most basic ingredients in both cooking and baking is simply, the egg. This budget-friendly ingredient can be cooked in many ways and in this article, let us share with you the 7 most basic ways to cook an egg, ranging from oozy soft boiled eggs to a nice heartwarming omelette. 

The 7 most basic ways of cooking an egg

Don’t forget that these 7 ways of cooking an egg have varying levels of difficulty too despite being beginner friendly! Fear not, we have arranged them in order of difficulty, starting off with the 2 most basic ways of cooking an egg: Soft boiled and Hard boiled.

Soft Boiled Eggs

Soft boiling makes the yolk in eggs runny yet creamy, and eating it along with the delicate and soft egg white just makes it such a simple way of appreciating the natural flavours of an egg. 

Basic equipment needed: Slotted Spoon, Saucepan
Recipe: How to Make Soft Boiled Eggs Recipe 

Hard Boiled Eggs

Love a good Egg Mayonnaise Sandwich? Hard boiling makes the yolks moist, deep orange and more solidified compared to soft boiled eggs. It also ends up with more chewy egg whites and a milder taste due to longer cooking times. It is crucial to not overcook hard boiled eggs as it may cause a reaction between the iron in the yolk and the sulfur in the egg whites which results in an odor. 

Basic equipment needed: Slotted Spoon, Saucepan
Recipe: How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs 

Image credit: tablespoon

Sunny-Side Up Eggs

Other than catching the beautiful sunrise on a monday morning, why not prepare some sunny-side up eggs to catch as breakfast too! The sunny style of cooking eggs packs an even more succulent flavour due to the frying factor. The egg whites are mostly fried while the yolk remains translucent and raw, forming a contrasting yet balanced taste. 

Basic equipment needed: Non-stick Skillet, Small Ramekin, Slotted Turner

Recipe: Perfect Sunny-Side-Up Eggs Recipe

Image credit: cdkitchen

Over Easy Eggs

Is this style of cooking an egg unfamiliar to you? You may have mistaken it for a sunny side up egg before. Over easy eggs are fried eggs cooked on both sides for a very short amount of time, until the egg whites are just about set and the yolk is still runny. Perfect to pair with toasts for your weekend brunch!

Basic equipment needed: Non-stick Skillet, Small Ramekin, Slotted Turner
Recipe: Perfect Eggs Over Easy Recipe

Image credit: epicurious

Poached Eggs

It’s getting slightly more difficult now as poached eggs take the 5th spot on this list. Poached eggs taste very similar to soft boiled eggs, however, its texture and appearance is on a whole new level. It has an extremely soft and delicate texture with a runny yolk. Pair your perfectly poached eggs with hollandaise sauce, ham and you get your very own homemade eggs benedict!

Basic equipment needed: Slotted Spoon, Saucepan,  Ramekin, Sieve
Recipe: Poached Eggs: How to Poach an Egg Perfectly 

Image credit: Recipetineats

Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs, a classic and a popular egg dish that is both delicate and fluffy! With a light and custardy texture, its taste is the perfect balance between light and strong,  as the egg whites and yolks are cooked into one.

Basic equipment needed: Non-stick Skillet, Mixing Bowl, Whisk
Recipe: How to Make Fluffy Moist Scrambled Eggs

Image credit: thespruceeats

Omelette

At the end of the list, comes the omelette dish. It has the biggest room for customisation in terms of the ingredients used! Like scrambled eggs, an omelette also has the yolk and the whites combined into one  Omelettes are only folded at the end of cooking, which makes it more neat looking compared to scrambled eggs. Get ready to let your imagination run wild and experiment with different types of ingredients for this dish!

Basic equipment needed: Non-stick skillet, Silicone Spatula, Whisk, Mixing bowl, Chopping board
Recipe: How to Make an Omelette

Buying Guides, Tips & Tricks

A Guide to Cheese Knives

Posted on by editor
25
Jun

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A GUIDE TO CHEESE KNIVES

When you’re into cheese and entertaining, you will want the right cheese knives and tools to elevate the experience. From slicing and chunking to spearing and spreading, there’s a tool for every kind of cheese you encounter.

Image credit: Freepik.com

1. SOFT CHEESE

Brie and camembert lovers rejoice! 

Take the oozy mess away with the proper type of cheese knife to prevent your favourite cheese from sticking to it. These delectable cheeses are known for their amazingly mild taste and creamy, moist, and buttery textures that just seem to melt in the mouth.

Boska Soft Cheese Knife Monaco+
Suitable for: Soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert.

Special characteristics: While the slim blade reduces resistance when cutting, this makes it easier for one to slice the  cheese as it does not stick and the shape of the cheese remains intact.

Boska Spreading Knife Monaco+
Suitable for: Spreadable cheeses like fresh cream cheese and soft goat cheese. Maximise the use of this knife by using it  for pâté, butter and pesto as well! 

Special characteristics: As the blade can be bent, the knife will also slightly blend during the spreading. This makes spreading simpler.

Image credit:dibruno.com

2. SEMI-SOFT CHEESE

Semi-soft cheeses have a smooth, creamy interior with little to no rind. They are known for their high moisture content with flavour profiles that range from mild to pungent. Popular semi – soft cheeses are like Gouda, Port Salut and Provolone. These crowd favourites are great for slicing and snacking and make great additions to sandwiches and cheese platters. They melt beautifully, however their moisture content and relative softness can make them difficult to shred at room temperature.

Boska Semi Soft Cheese Knife Monaco+

Suitable for: Soft and semi-hard cheeses, like Gorgonzola and young Gouda.

Special characteristics: The holes in the blade reduce resistance when cutting and the cheese does not stick when you cut it while making sure the shape of the cheese remains intact.

Good to know: Prick a piece of cheese at the serving tip to serve it to someone, so you do not have to touch the cheese with your hands. Handy and hygienic!

Image credit: tasteatlas.com

3. SEMI-HARD CHEESE

A perfect balance of moisture and aridity, these cheeses provide a firm, slightly springy texture with a delicate blend of savoury and tangy flavours. Typically denser in consistency, the cheese is often made by compressing curds into a solid, draining them of any remaining whey in the process. Taken directly from their moulds, some cheeses (i.e. Edam and Jarlsberg) receive a coating of wax, thus avoiding the need for brine. Did you know that semi-hard cheeses are aged anywhere between 1 to 6 months depending on each specific type?

Boska Semi Hard Cheese Knife Monaco+
 Suitable for: Semi-hard and hard cheeses like cured Edam and Cheddar.

Special characteristics: Use the serving tip to prick a piece of cheese to it. In this way you can serve cheese to someone without touching it with your hands. Extra hygienic.

Image credit: Castellocheese.com

4. HARD CHEESE

As the name suggests, hard cheese is firm as they are aged longer, and thus, has a lower moisture content.  Often savoury, popular hard cheese choices are Parmesan and Manchego. The labouring process of production of hard cheese begins with separating and draining most of the whey before pressing the curd, which is then either brined to create a hard rind or waxed.  Finally, the cheese is aged for between 2 to 36 months, and in some cases even longer. The length of aging determines the intensity of the flavour. A well-aged cheese will be more flavourful, less creamy and grainier in texture.

Boska Hard Cheese Hatchet Monaco+ 

Suitable for: Manchego and mature farm cheese
Special characteristics: This tool is very useful for removing the rind of the cheese

Also useful: Slide a piece you just cut from the cheese onto  the broad blade to serve someone without touching it with your hands.

BONUS!
ToTT x Ile de France Virtual Cheese Appreciation Class

Join us for a fun, interactive and (of course) delicious virtual cheese tasting conducted by Mr Thibault Phulpin. Let him guide you on the different types of cheese, the best way to taste the cheese and what wine to pair them with. You will also get to learn how to build a show-stopping cheese and charcuterie board for your next home party!

For every sign up, you will get 4 different types of cheese from Ile de France with free doorstep delivery!

Early bird promo (For the 1st 35 sign ups): Book before the end of June and get a Free Mini Boska Cheese Board(12cm)

SIGN UP NOW!

Tips & Tricks

Molecular Gastronomy for Kids

Posted on by editor
31
May

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MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY FOR KIDS

Take culinary physics out of the lab and right into your kitchen. Roll up your sleeves together with the kids and get them curious about the food they eat!  Have fun experimenting and making a mess in the kitchen – in the name of science!

1. ICE CREAM IN THE BAG

Kids love ice cream, don’t they? Instead of buying, why not get your kids to make their own with this super easy recipe! You only need 5 ingredients to make this homemade ice cream that will delight everyone. Kids will love seeing how quickly they can make their own ice cream and learn the chemistry between salt and ice. Don’t forget to add their favourite toppings like sprinkles or for a healthy treat trying adding fruits instead!

2. ROCK CANDY

Know a budding scientist with a sweet tooth? It’s easy for you and your kids to grow a rainbow of homemade rock candy crystals with a little kitchen chemistry. Making their own rock candy is a fun and tasty way to grow crystals and see the structure of sugar on a big scale.

Tip: Crystals will form on a cotton or wool string or yarn, but not on a nylon line. If you use a nylon line, tie a seed crystal to it to stimulate crystal growth.

3. POPPING BOBA

Make bubble tea and have your boba party at home! Popping Boba are little flavoured jelly balls filled with juice that burst in your mouth when you bite into them This ingenious process is made of a technique called reverse spherification. Sounds complicated? Just follow our recipe and have a ball of a time with the entire family.

You can add that tantalizing juice balls into any desserts you like and enjoy that burst of flavours with every bite.

4. POWDERED NUTELLA

Add a degree of fun and creativity to meals with maltodextrin, a food-additive that is made from starch and is used commercially to make things like ice cream, puddings, and peanut butter smoother.  Fans of this chocolatey heaven in a jar would find this amazing as once it hits your tongue, it doesn’t stay powdered: it reverts to that gooey-smooth spread texture we all know and love.

5.FRUIT JELLY CAKE

Jelly is great for sensory play  and science experiments as its tactile, edible, smells great and also very versatile.  Rich in protein and minerals, agar-agar, also called kanten, becomes gelatinous when dissolved in water, heated, and then cooled. It can even set in room temperature, unlike gelatin. A simple, delicious recipe to do with your kids this June Holidays! To make it more fun, use moulds to create various shapes and sizes.

BONUS: FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL:
ToTT JUNIOR CHEF: SCIENCE IN THE KITCHEN

Join our Father’s Day Special class with your child! In this class, your kids get to learn the joy of cooking a meal for themselves and also understand the science behind it. A great bonding activity for both parent and child!

What will you learn:

  • BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
    – Homemade BBQ Sauce
  • Nachos with Homemade Salsa, Guacamole, and Mayonnaise
  • Galaxy Magic Drink

June Promo: Non-ToTT Members enjoy 10% off 2 signups for this class.
SIGN UP NOW!

Buying Guides, Tips & Tricks

Tricks and Tips to care for your Non-Stick Cookware

Posted on by editor
20
Apr

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TIPS & TRICKS TO CARE FOR YOUR NON-STICK COOKWARE

1. USE ONLY SAFE UTENSILS

Avoid using metal utensils on your non-stick pans as they may have rough or sharp edges which can damage your pans. Use wooden or heat-resistant silicone utensils to protect and prolong your non-stick coating.

Recommendations:

2. USE LOW TO MODERATE HEAT

Too much heat on your non-stick frying pan can cause the non-stick coating to bubble and deteriorate its non-stick properties. As a guideline, use low to moderate heat and allow the pan‘s heat to rise to the desired temperature slowly. If you’re looking to sear, use a stainless steel or cast iron pan instead to achieve high temperatures and that perfect sear.

3. PREHEAT YOUR PAN

Using a fat like oil or butter before cooking helps the coating last longer but do avoid using cooking sprays. Using cooking sprays over time will cause residue to build up especially on the sides of the pan which is tough to remove and shortens the lifespan of the pan. Remember to first add the fat onto the cold pan before heating as the fats enhance the non-stick effects of the cookware. Most importantly, some non-stick pans can emit potentially toxic fumes when heated without a lubricant and this should be avoided.

4. USING FOR STORAGE

When you have finished your stir frys, use containers to keep your leftovers instead of storing  them on the pan. Food especially acidic ones can damage the coating when left for extended periods. Wash the pan with warm soapy water and a soft sponge.

Recommendation: Mastrad Stor’eat Smart Food Storage Box

5. CLEAN GENTLY

After use, let the product cool to room temperature before washing it with a soft sponge, plastic scrub or washcloths with warm, soapy water. Avoid using steel wool, stiff bristle brushes or scouring pads as they may scratch and damage the non-stick coating. If you have food residues that are stuck to your pan, let it soak in water for to help loosen the hardened bits before cleaning. The cookware must always be completely clean and dry before it is put away.

6. PROPER STORAGE

Proper storage is also an integral part of the overall maintenance of your non-stick cookware. When nesting non-stick pans, insert a paper napkin or tea towel between them to keep the bottom of one pan from scratching the non-stick coating of another.

Buying Guides, Special Occasions, Tips & Tricks

8 Red Hot Kitchenware to spruce up your kitchen for CNY

Posted on by editor
28
Jan

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8 RED HOT KITCHENWARE TO SPRUCE UP YOUR KITCHEN FOR CNY

Let’s go all red for Chinese New Year! Red symbolises good luck, joy, and happiness. We handpicked eight red hot kitchenware to brighten up your tables for the New Year!

LAVA Cast Iron Casserole

Whip up a prosperity feast to usher in the Chinese New Year with your family and friends. Serve them up right from the stove in this eye-catching and vibrant Cast Iron Casserole from LAVA. It is perfect for braising, roasting and stewing ingredients. Three layers of beautiful porcelain enamel are fired twice for maximum beauty, lasting durability and superb cooking performance. Did we mention it is pre-seasoned too? You do not have to spend the extra time to season your new pot before you start cooking. Comes in other vibrant colours and sizes too!

Mastrad Mini Chopper

Looking for a handy kitchen tool to speed up your cooking preparation? This compact, non-slip mini chopper from Mastrad helps you to chop your garlic, onions and shallots in a jiffy. Simply twist the wheel on its lid for about 30 seconds to chop 100 grams of ingredients. Remove the blade and double up as a serving or storage bowl. No more teary eyes when you chop the dreaded onion!

Mastrad Silicone Quick Tongs

Designed to grab, turn, mix and serve your food with care and precision, the Mastrad 12″ Silicone Quick Tongs is a must-have for every kitchen. The heat-resistant silicone tips have a non-slip surface, which allows them to precisely grip even the smallest portions. Ideal for use with non-stick cookware, the tongs stand upright, open and close easily, and have a removable base for emptying running juices

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Love the smell of freshly-baked CNY goodies? The KitchenAid Stand Mixer comes equipped with a powerful mixer that mix, knead and whip your ingredients with ease. It includes a wire whisk, flat beater, and a dough hook, which is handy for baking pineapple tarts and cookies this festive season. For more versatility, the attachment hub transforms the mixer into a pasta maker so you can create your wonton wrappers from scratch.

Available at ToTT stores from $1,099.

Nordic Ware Angel Food Cake Pan

Are you ready to present your show-stopping bakes during this CNY? Bake a delicious Yuzu chiffon cake (https://tottstore.com/recipes/yuzu-with-grapefruit-pulp-chiffon-cake/) using Nordic Ware Angel Food Cake pan. With an integrated centre tube, this pan ensures uniform heat distribution which allows a well-baked and fluffy cake to be achieved.

Mastrad Pastry Sheet

A favourite among chefs. Roll out your pastry dough like a pro with Mastrad Pastry Sheet. With its flexible non-stick surface, heat resistant to 230 °C; you can prep and bake on it while cutting down clean up time and use of baking sprays. The measuring guides printed on the surface makes baking a breeze – no more pulling out a ruler with doughy hands to measure!

Zevro Classic Single Canister Dry Food Dispenser

Banish the clutter from your kitchen with this stylish high-quality dispenser from Zevro. The compact design makes it easy to fit on most countertops. The dispenser is ideal for cereals, pasta, coffee beans, nuts, sweets and more. Simply twist the knob and portion out any dry food you want!

Cole & Mason Red Oxford Gloss Pepper & Salt Mill 

Bring vibrant strokes of colour and style to your kitchen countertop or dining table with Cole & Mason’s Oxford Red Gloss Pepper & Salt Mill. Using a ceramic mechanism, the traditionally shaped mills optimizes the flavour of sea salt crystals or peppercorns and adjusts grinding levels from fine to coarse by tightening or loosening the knob on the lid.

Special Occasions, Tips & Tricks

Mid Autumn Special – Mooncake & Tea Pairing

Posted on by editor
26
Aug

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Mooncake & Tea Pairing

Been indulging in too many mooncakes? Let us guide you on how to pair the right tea with the mooncake you are about to have. This not only brings out the taste of this delicacy, but it also balances out the richness of the pastry. Read on to find out what are the best tea accompaniments for the different types of mooncake:

1. Lotus Seed Mooncake

The ever-popular lotus mooncake is the representative of a Cantonese-style mooncake, a must-have for Mid Autumn Festival. Top-quality lotus seeds are sourced and processed to achieve a smooth and fragrant filling. To make it richer and savoury, salted egg yolks are added to give an aromatic taste.

Best Paired with: Oolong

Why: Mooncakes with salted egg yolks have a stronger and richer taste. The smoky and woody flavour from Oolong helps to bring out the fragrance of the lotus paste and salted egg yolks, at the same time balances out the delicacy’s sweetness.

2. Snowskin Mooncake

Originating from Hong Kong, snowskin mooncakes have become wildly popular across South East Asia. Unlike a traditional baked crust, the outer layer (crust) is made of glutinous rice that is preserved at a low temperature—which explains how the name came about. With a slightly chewy and stickier texture, some say it is pretty similar to a Japanese Mochi! Snowskin mooncakes can be filled with everything from lotus paste to fruits and even chocolate. Best served chilled.

Best Paired with: Green Tea

Why: Green tea has a light, bitter aftertaste that pairs well with these dessert-like mooncakes. For example, Houjicha, which has a roasted mellow profile, with low astringency pairs harmoniously and enhance the subtle taste of these non-baked snowskin mooncakes.

3. Teochew Flaky Yam Mooncake

Round, flaky mooncakes that are composed mainly of flour, shortening and sugar. This traditional delicate pastry is usually filled with a smooth and sweet yam paste. Wrapped in a thousand-layer pastry crust, this Teochew delicacy is best eaten warm by gently heating up in the oven.

Best Paired with: Jasmine Tea

Why: Flaky Yam mooncakes tend to be rich and heaty and it is recommended pairing them with a light and floral tea like Jasmine. It is the most famous scented tea in China which is made by infusing the tea leaves with the scent of jasmine blossoms which gives it its signature aroma.

4. Red Bean Mooncake

A traditional and nostalgic favourite of our parents! Filled with sweet red bean paste made from azuki beans, this mooncake has been always a sought-after flavour among mooncake lovers. Today, we see more bold and creative creations, for example infusing orange and lemon peel into it, giving the traditional flavour a new twist.

Best paired with: Silver Needle or White Peony tea.

Why: White tea is classified as a lightly fermented tea with very little or no fermentation at all, making it light, fresh and rich in anti-oxidants. The floral notes in both teas will mellow out the sweetness from the azuki beans.

5. Five Kernel Mooncake

As the name suggests, it is made up of five types of coarsely chopped nuts and seeds, held together with maltose syrup, giving it a thick and crunchy texture. Typically, they are made with almond, walnut, pumpkin seeds, winter melon seeds and sesame seeds. For that savoury bite, Chinese hard-cured ham and bits of pork fat are added into the filling too! Did you know that the assorted nuts and seeds represent the 5 moral standards of Chinese teaching: benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and trust.

Best paired with: Pu’er Tea

Why: Pu’er is a variety of fermented tea produced in China’s Yunnan Province. A stronger tea helps to balance the heavy filling of nuts, seeds and sticky, sweet maltose syrup. Drinking Pu’er not only aids in digestion, but it also helps to breakdown fat content and lowers your cholesterol.

Extra: For the tea connoisseur, consider these elegant and functional teaware to brew a cup of hot tea.