Saturday, April 05, 2014

BOSCH New Master Gourmet Range with Recipes from Chef Stephan Zoisl (My Private Chef)

I have an obsession for gadgets, IT gadgets, household gadgets and also kitchen gadgets. When there was an invitation for a demo and hands on, I sheepishly said yes. This is a new Master Gourmet Range available in Singapore from 1 April 2014.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl

This is an upgrade from the Bosch MUM5 series that we have at home. If you are already looking for the MUM8 range recently, this new MaxxiMUM range also has the 5.4 litre stainless steel bowl. It also has a ThermoSafe glass blender (1.75 liters capacity). A nice upgrade for the MUM8.

This machine compared to the MUM5 we have, has a full metal body and it's really solid. It weights 12.6 kg if you want to know. Heavy enough to be quite stable. The MUM5 was already quite stable compared to the earlier versions made of plastic, that some say is flimsy.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl

If you have been looking for Hand Blenders, the Master Gourmet range has a new MaxoMixx range. Of all the kitchen gadgets at home, I don't have this, because I have a similar one that has my name in it. (ahem)

If you want the technical details of the MaxxiMUM and MaxoMixx, you can visit the Bosch Singapore Home Appliances Website or the Bosch Home Appliances Singapore Facebook Page.

To demonstrate what and how this machine can perform, the BOSCH Team got Chef Stephan Zoisl to demonstrate some recipes. The recipes are included in this blog post, so you all can try it out. 


Recipe 1: Welcome Smoothie

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
With a press of a few buttons, the MaxxiMUM is also a Transformer in the kitchen (not the cartoons one). Push the EasyArm down and you can pop the glass blender in. It comes with a ThermoSafe glass blender, so you can blend frozen fruits in it, or blend hot boiling soups.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
This was Chef popping the ingredients into the machine.

Serving portions: 6

Ingredients:
  • Banana - 2 pc
  • Pineapple - 1 unit
  • Blueberry - 500g
  • Yoghurt - 500g
  • Crushed Ice  - as much as needed depends on preference
Method:
  1. Peel the bananas and pineapple. Cut them into smaller pieces.
  2. Place the bananas, pineapple & blueberries into the blender.
  3. Add the yoghurt & the crushed ice.
  4. Pulse the fruits and afterwards blend till all the crushed ice are incorporated.
  5. Pour into glasses and serve.

Here's a video I posted on Instagram last week.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
It was quite delicious. Full of anti oxidant, potassium and vitamin C.
if you happen to have a dishwasher, you can chuck the machine into the dishwasher to clean.



Recipe 2: Pasta Bolognese

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
If you have more dough, you might want to purchase the optional accessory. This is the Meat Mincer. Just fiddle with the EasyArm and you can attached the meat mincer. This is for those who are caring for children or old folks and you want to know exactly what goes into their food. They need softer food and you can make them freshly at home.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
This was chef using only chicken breast to mince the meat. No additives.

If you want to see this in action, here's a video:
 
If you can chopped them by hands, go ahead. If not, use a machine if you are a busy working mum or dad. Here's the recipe for the bolognese:

Serving portions: 4

Ingredients:
  • Minced chicken - 500 gm
  • Parmesan Cheese - 100 gm
  • Tomato Paste - 50 gm
  • Tomato Sauce - 250 gm
  • Tomato in Chunks - 250 gm
  • White or yellow onions - 2 units
  • Garlic - 6 pieces
  • Carrots - 2 units (150 gm)
  • Celery Stalk - 2 stalks (150 gm)
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 100 ml
  • Italian Parsley - 30 gm
  • Chives - 30 gm
  • Sweet Basil - 30 gm
  • Sugar (optional) - 40 gm
  • Grade Seed Oil / Canola Oil - for frying
Method:
  1. Peel onions and garlic and chop them finely. (Or use the BOSCH MaxoMixx Hand Blender)
  2. Preheat a big pot, with a broad surface. Fry the onions and garlic in a small amount of oil.
  3. Once the garlic and onions turn a light colour, add the minced meat to the pot.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Once is meat is browned, add small dices of carrots and celery. Add the tomato paste and saute for 1 minute.
  6. Add the tomato chunks and tomato sauce. Add some water (approx 100 ml)
  7. Simmer the sauce for about 20-30 minutes or till the meat is soft.
  8. Season with salt and pepper once again.

Tip: Bolognese sauce will develop flavour over time. You might want to prepare the sauce 1 day in advance.

Info: Original Pasta Bolognese is made with Tagliatelle, not Spaghetti.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
It's a demo session, so they are showing us lots of attachments that can go into the Kitchen Machine.
Here's the pasta attachment.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
The difference I see is that the "KA" brand has the attachment higher up. This one has it nearer to the table. Up to your habit and preference. Consider the various brands and see which is better for you.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
We were not given the pasta recipe, but you can search online for a recipe.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Freshly made pasta cook much faster and has a nicer texture. So if you are having a party at home. You can show off ya?

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Here, this was what was served to us. It's delicious bowl of freshly made Pasta Bolognese.


Recipe 3: Bacon Ice Cream

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Does Bacon Ice Cream sounds like an awesome idea to you?

We were quite excited when we saw the recipe and it was going to be made in front of us. Chef has infused the roasted bacon in milk and cream over night. See how bacon he infused? Here's the recipe:

Serving portions: 8

Ingredients:
  • Milk - 600 ml
  • Cream - 450 ml
  • Streaky Bacon - 200 gm
  • Sugar - 100 gm
  • Eggs - 8 units
Method:
  1. Roast the bacon in a pan till crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on a kitchen towel.
  2. Preheat the milk and cream, add the bacon and infuse for 2-3 hours (best overnight).
  3. Separately whisk the sugar and the egg yolk till creamy, stir well and add the bacon infused milk mixture into the egg mixture. Strain through a chinois and put back onto the stove. Stir constantly till you have reached custard stage. Cool down and transfer into the refrigerator.
  4. Once the mixture has cooled down, transfer into a mixing bowl and add dry ice. Stir and wait till properly frozen. Be careful as dry ice has a temperature of minus 78.5 Celsius.
  5. Alternative: You can use an ice cream machine and run the program till the ice cream has set.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl 
Chef preparing the custard for the ice cream.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
That's a chinois. I have always wonder why they call the sieve Chinese.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
The fun part! The dry ice and ice cream mixture in the 5.4 litre stainless steel bowl that comes with the MaxxiMUM.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Put on the included Beating Whisk accessory and let the show begin!

The whisk is a full metal 10 wire beating whisk, and it's height adjustable, so if you are only trying to whisk 1 or 2 egg whites, you can lower the whisk down even on a big bowl.

Add in crushed dry ice. I asked the chef how it was crushed, he says, ask someone to use a hammer and hammer it to smaller pieces.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Watch as the mixture turns frozen. Making ice cream with dry ice cause the ice to freeze quickly so it would be very fine. So the texture of ice cream made with dry ice is quite pleasant. There are many shops in town that makes such ice cream but they use liquid nitrogen.

I told you I am a gadget lover. I use an ice cream maker at home. I also have a Zoku. Both will work with the recipe above.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Tada! Ice cream very quickly! This was a huge quantity too!

Here's a video from my Instagram feed:


 
Recipe 4: Cheese Soufflé

If you want a recipe for Cheese soufflé, this is from Chef Stephan.

Serving portions: 4 - 6 (depending on the size of the baking dish)

Ingredients:
  • Butter, plus extra greasing - 50 gm
  • Breadcrumbs - 25 gm
  • Plain flour - 50 gm
  • Milk - 300 ml
  • Eggs - 4 units
  • Parmesan cheese, finely grated - 100 gm
  • Bacon chunks - 100 gm
  • Chicharoon 100 gm

Method:
  1. Preparing the soufflé dishL Heat oven to 200C/fan or 180C or Gas Mark 6. Place a baking sheet on the middle shelf. Butter 4x5cm soufflé dish generously, then sprinkle in the breadcrumbs and roate the dish to ensure the butter is evenly coated. Tip out any excess breadcrumbs.
  2. Making a thick white sauce: In a pan, melt the butter over a medium heat, stir in the flour. Cook, stirring for 1 minute. Take off the heat and gradually stir in the milk, mixing it in thoroughly before adding more. Return to the heat and stir continuously until very thick (around 10 mins). Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool. Crack the eggs, placing the whites into a clean bowl and stirring the yolks into the sauce. Stir in Parmesan and season well.
  3. Adding the egg whites: Use the MaxxiMUM Kitchen Machine or MaxoMixx Hand Blender to whisk the eggs until peaks form. Take a metal spoon and gently stir the whipped whites into the white sauce in a figure of eight. 
  4. Top-hatting: Spoon the mixture into the dish. Run a cutlery knife around the edge to create a 'top hat' effect, this ensures the soufflé rises above the rim and doesn't stick. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and risen and has a slight wobble.
  5. Serve immediately, together with bacon ice cream, bacon chunks and chicharoo.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Making of the white sauce.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Whisking of the egg whites.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Mixing the whisked egg whites into the white sauce. Soufflé is almost ready for baking!

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Off into the oven.


Recipe 5: Bombe Alaska

The recipe was for them to show us how to make strawberry coulis effortlessly. It requires the use of the MaxoMixx Hand Blender. It also made use of the MaxxiMUM kitchen machine to make meringue.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
I just thought the strawberries look so beautiful, so am showing this picture!

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
A few whizz and the coulis is ready! Here's the recipe for the Bombe Alaska:

Serving portions: 4

Ingredients:
  • Caster Sugar - 150 gm
  • Vanilla fresh or essence - 1 teaspoon
  • Strawberries - 250 gm
  • Icing Sugar - 20 gm
  • Rum (optional)
  • Ready Made Sponge Cake - 300 gm
  • Ice cream, any flavour - 1 litre
 Method:
  1. Cut the sponge cake into 8 round slices and arrange on trays that will fit into your freezer. Using an ice cream scoop, place a scoop of ice cream onto each slice of sponge cake. Cover with cling film and freeze for about 1 hour. Ice cream has to be hard.
  2. Cut the strawberries and place it into the MaxoMixx Hand Blender, add in icing sugar and blend well. Set aside.
  3. Use the MaxxiMUM Kitchen Machine to beat the egg whites till soft peaks form. Add in the sugar gradually, beating well between each addition until the sugar has dissolved and mixture is glossy. Beat in the vanilla. Transfer into a piping bag.
  4. Transfer the ice cream / sponge cake slices onto an overproof tray - pipe beautifully the egg white over the ice cream. Make sure it's fully covered.
  5. Use a blowtorch to burn the meringue. Alternatively you can use the rum and flame the Bombe Alaska. If you don't have a blow torch - preheat the oven to 200 C and bake for 4 minutes.
  6. Place the Bombe Alaska onto a place and serve with the strawberry coulis.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
This was the sponge that Chef has prepaid earlier. Use round moulds to cut out round bottoms for the Bombe Alaska.

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Before you pipe the meringue on the ice cream, make sure they are super super hard. Melted ice cream is a no no!

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Squirt squirt squirt! Easy does it!

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
After torching, pour the coulis around the Bombe Alaska

Bosch MaxxiMUM / Demo by Chef Stephan Zoisl
Tada! It's ready! Serve immediately and don't waste time! Ice cream inside will melt!


Some info for you if you plan to buy the machine for yourself or a present to your mum.

If you are planning to give your Mum a Mother's Day present, from 11 April to 11 May 2014, Bosch is extending a special price of up to $200 off its range of food preparation appliances, coupled with complimentary gifts with purchase.

The Bosch MaxxiMUM Kitchen Machine MUMXL20T (Titanium Silver) will be $200 off at $1299. It also comes with an extra bowl valued at $109 for the Mother's Day promo.

The Bosch MaxxiMUM Kitchen Machine MUMXL40G (Granite Grey) will be $200 off at $1499. It also comes with an extra bowl valued at $109 for the Mother's Day promo.

The Bosch MaxoMixx Hand Blender MSM87180 will be $10 off at $209 for the Mother's Day promo.

If you want to touch the real thing and see demos, you can head down to BOSCH Live Kitchen at Tangs Orchard, B1.  On 6 Apr, 12-2PM there will be a demo by Chef Trish. On 12 Apr, 3-5PM, there will be a demo by Chef Gina.




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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel.

If you have the love for all things porcine, you probably would have heard of Kurobuta, Berkshire, Iberice, etc. Have you heard of the Mangalica from Hungary? It's known for its rich, buttery fat and delicate taste.

If you do an online search for the Mangalista Pig, you would see it has lots of hair and it looks like a sheep! It was a popular breed long ago when lard was order of the day. Hungarians cooked using lard and this pig has lots of it. Then because of health reasons, people switch to different type of oils.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

If you would like to try it, Clifford, the brasserie at The Fullerton Bay Hotel is having a special a la carte dinner menu from now till 31 March 2014.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

The wife and I had a nice 2 person date night here just last week. This was a invited session by the hotel, but it was just the two of us having a meal under the lovely high ceilings of the restaurant. This place has a nice view of the Marina Bay too, a nice place to have a date and watch the sunset.

We love the breads here. You can guess who ate which bread. The lady always love her grainy breads and I love prefer a simple mini baguette.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

Someone asked me on Instagram when we dined there the other day, if Clifford uses French butter, so we asked. They are using New Zealand ones now. No, the F is for Fullerton, not Facebook! We now who the Facebook addicts are now!

Duck rillette here is quite addictive and let me warn you, you will eat it non stop.

For the dinner, we were served the following dishes that had components of Mangalica Pork.
It was quite fun as we had a copy of the menu, but we don't know what was coming out.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
Back Bacon Farm Salad ($28)

The wife who loves salad thinks this is brilliant. It is garden greens with scrambled organic egg, so it's a nice warm salad and the dressing is a truffle dressing. The salad has back bacon from Mangalica Pork that's very delicious.

Most eggs in salad are hard boiled or poached eggs, this is a nicely scrambled egg and mixed together with the bacon and salads.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
The Mangalica and Iberico Cold Cuts ($32)

If you are a fan of Charcuterie, you would like this. It's toasted with toasted rye or other farm breads and pickles. I like the Mangalica while the wife likes the Iberico.

This was rather addictive as I ate slice after slice of it. The pickles went well with it too. I love the crispy rye that has been toasted. It goes so well with the cold cuts.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
Executive Chef Sandro Falbo

It was nice of the Chef to say hi to us. We had a quick chat about this pork and he got back to cook more surprises for us.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
The Pasta ($38)

If you like Black Squid Ink Pasta, try this Tonnarelli here.  Served with white prawns and Mangalica sausages, this dish is very delicious indeed. If there's one dish for the night that the wife can eat over and over again, this is it. She's a fan of squid ink pasta and I usually don't think it's any special. This however got me eating a few more mouths than usual. It's the slight acidity of the tomatoes that gives the dish an umami and at the same time cut through the richness of the sausage.

There was a service staff here that we talked to, he said, this is really good and his girlfriend is a fan of squid ink pasta and he himself has made a reservation himself to have this with his girlfriend.


Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
Parmesan Breaded Loin ($42)

Theses looked like deep fried meat balls when they are served, but it's chunks of pork loin that has been deep fried. It's also served with truffle salad. There's quite a few pieces of it because it's a main meal portion.



Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

This is how it looks inside, juicy inside! Reminds me of tonkatsu. It is actually, the same cooking style, except it's from Hungarian pork.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
Grilled Pork Chop ($42)

If you don't like deep fried pork loin, you might want to try this grilled pork chop. It's another of our favourite for the night, together with the Pasta. It's served with potatoes with coriander sauce, french beans and a tomato salad.

Look how nicely it is done. The charred fats from this pork is very tasty.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

Just as we ate halfway through it, I remembered to take photo of this. Looks good ya?
This pork that we tried did not have the strong gamey smell, and the meats are nicely marbled and had quite a nice texture.

The other special Mangalica dishes on the menu includes:
- Homemade Mangalica Collar Sausages and Braised Ribs.
- Braised Mangalica Belly

I think I want to return before the promotion on our own to try the braised ribs and braised belly. It sounds good doesn't it?

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

The usual tea/coffee and petit fours that they serve here at Clifford. Kueh Lapis, Macarons and Chocolates.

Magic of Mangalica Pork @ Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore

I could not resist not trying the Lemon Tart.
It was not sour enough for the wife. She loves the super sour ones that really gives you the kick!

If you want to try out this Mangalica Pork, head down Clifford before 31 March. The usual menu is still available, this is just a supplement available for a limited time. The night we ate was only the start of the week, and the brasserie was quite filled up. So, make your reservations.


Clifford, The Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay
Singapore 049326

Tel: +65 6597 5288
Email: clifford@fullertonbayhotel.com



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Saturday, March 15, 2014

Bye Bye McDonald's King Albert Park!

This is the McDonald's at King Albert Park nearest to our home. Yes, people around this area buy houses / condos / HDB because they are within the 1km radius to get into schools of their choice. Guess what? Within the 1 km of this McDonald's are MGS, Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School, Ngee Ann Poly, etc!

It's also the favourite drive thru for takeaways! The wife's friend has a friend who drives through this McDonald's weekly, with photos she can see on the friend's Instagram.

This McDonald's is also where the wife used to have breakfast / lunch / dinner with her classmates! It's closing for good on tomorrow (16 March 2014 at 2359 hours) after 23 years in this location. She says, we have to come here and have the last meal here! She said many of her classmates have already gone to have their last meal there! (ok.. roll eyes....)

 Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

Many people can also be seen taking photos with Ronald and also Hamburglar! There are more inside the other entrance, next to Cold Storage!

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

The crowd here has been pouring in non stop! The McDonald's aunty who works here cleaning the tables says, for the last 3 or 4 weeks, it's been like that! I have to work so so hard, cleaning the tables non stop.

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

Our last meal here, this time the Big Mac and Chicken McSpicy.
I usually have my meal with Ice Milo, but this time, it's just the good old Coke.

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

Bye Bye Big Mac from KAP!
We will visit you again at Beauty World!

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

The fries at KAP has always been very nice. We always suspect it's because the HQ is just upstairs!

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

The wife and her usual McSpicy.

The cleaning Aunty was saying, this is very spicy oh.. I cannot take it, too spicy for me! She's funny lah. She will clean her tables, then come back and talk to us momentarily and go back and work. I guess we are the only people who talked to her!

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

We wanted to sit there a bit longer, but don't want to hog the seats like ahem the NP kids, so we ordered more food. Some how, the McWings seems crispier and juicier inside that night. LOL!

Bye Bye McDonald's KAP

The McNuggets and the Curry Sauce! This stall is where we used to come and buy McNuggets to babysit our cousin when she was younger. Buy a box of 20 and we will all sit and eat them slowly with a variety of sauces!

When they first started their Open Doors Kitchen preview thingy, our family visited the kitchen. That was like years ago! That's when we learn it's possible to order File-O-Fish without salt if you don't want it!

Good bye McDonald's KAP. Maybe when the new condo and shops are completed at the very same site, you might want to come back here!

McDonald's King Albert Park
11 King Albert Park,
#01-01-05
Singapore 598292



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