Chinese New Year at Chu's

We decided foolishly to celebrate Chinese New Year day at Chu's with my sister, her hubby and her friends. Calm before craziness, but to be expected for such a big event. Chu's will be holding another Chinese New Year event this Friday, February 11. So, if you want to experience a traditional dragon dance etc., reserve NOW. Enjoy. Don't say I didn't warn you there's a long wait before your dinner arrives, so have a little snack before going. Worth the wait and good to have an appetite. Happy Rabbit Year!

Wok Star Eleanor Hoh & Norika Chu
We managed to get a shot together before guests arrived!

Norika presents Peking Duck before carving it up!

Norika was so fast at carving & making these rolls for us!
Definitely don't want to share with so many next time.

After waiting 1 1/2 hours for our dinner to arrive, everyone snatched these rolls so I had to scramble to get this shot and others! Sorry, they're all a bit dark and blurry.

Here's remainder of Peking duck stir fried with veggies.

Huge scallops with black beans & bell peppers on a sizzling platter.

We had to order long life noodles for luck. This came with seafood & veggie.

Loved this eggplant dish that came in a clay pot and kept hot on a little burner.

The guy who leads the dragon has to learn to get OUT OF THE WAY so silly us can get the shot! The guy was in every shot I took. Lots of banging of drums and cymbals. I put a red packet into the mouth of the dragon dancer. He looked dazzled by the frenzy. His mouth was full of red packets, poor thing.

East meets west with jazz music in between.

Baby bok choy, needed twice as much. We love veggies.

It's very strange eating with westerners, they don't understand 'family style' where you pick what you want and eat slowly with your rice! Well, the other reason was we were STARVING. Everything was delicious.
After dinner, we dropped by Villa 221 to enjoy reggae music on the beautiful back deck. The weather was gorgeous. I am quite excited about this new venue and hope to hold some of my Wok Star events there. They have a cozy and cool lounge area to set the mood and tone to my class.

If you fell off track with your New Year's resolution, this post explains my easy approach and Wok Star Kit with everything to help you kickstart for a healthier, happier and slimmer you.

You might also enjoy a Simple Home Dinner my sister and I made together showing that dinners don't have to be a big deal.

Indomania Rijsttafel at Miami River Wall (Updated)

Beef Rendang

Achar pickles.

Indomania Chef Ineke''s Rijsttafel at Miami River Wall

You can tell everyone enjoyed with empty plates!!

LATEST UPDATE :
Join us for an intimate, sit down 12-dish Indonesian Feast in north end of Miami Beach...
Monday, July 12:7pm. Call NOW, only 32 seats for lucky ones.
Mandatory RSVP & prepayment, click for complete details.

What a lovely way to spend a cool evening, meeting new people and enjoying Indomania Chef Ineke's exotic Indonesian Rijsttafel at Miami River Wall! The evening was being filmed for Fox Style File news anchor, Belkys Nerey. Don't blink or you'll miss me, my husband got more airtime than I did, sniff, sniff. You can hear me though, I have a slight British accent. I also got a chance to video Chef Ineke when she sat down to finally eat her own dinner. If you want to celebrate a special catered event at Miami River Wall, contact them to arrange. It's a beautiful setting inside with the two exquisite hydroponic vertical plant and herb walls and a back garden right on the river. You can see more where I posted about my Wok Star cooking classes held there.

Very few Miami restaurants serving Asian food give me the "experience" of wanting to be there. It doesn't have to be fancy, in fact, often that's a turn off cause you know you're paying for the decor. On the other hand, many Asian restaurants (in my humble opinion) do not showcase the beauty of Asia in their decor or in their food. Indomania has succeeded in giving me both. When you walk in, you feel transported. The little touches with the batik tablecloth and the beautiful photos (Pieter is a photographer) all make it very personal.

Chef Ineke and her husband Pieter designed their restaurant as if it's their own dining room. It's small, cozy and intimate. They come over to chat with you, I know it's not realistic when it's busy but I felt truly special to be able to connect with the chef who just made my dinner. Unfortunately, I ate at their restaurant way before I started food blogging so not much photos to show the space so you'll just have to go and 'experience' yourself. Everyone I've sent there agree they 'love' it too and keep going back.

When Ralph and I went, we shared a small Rijsttafel (see LOTS more photos) which gave us a tasting platter. But during the Miami River Wall feast, we got to taste a lot more and everything was spot on especially her Beef Rendang and Achar pickles. As you may or may not know, my mother was born in Singapore, so I grew up eating many of these foods. Eating at Indomania Restaurant always brings back wonderful memories for me. That's what food is supposed to do - give you memories and associations. It's what I tell people when I present my Wok Star cooking classes, it's not just about the cooking, it's about creating experiences and memories with people you enjoy!

I hope to organize a Hoh Wok Club gathering at Indomania soon and introduce you to Chef Ineke's fabulous Indonesian food. But if you can't wait, go, enjoy and tell Chef Ineke and Pieter you heard it from me.

P.S. Sorry about all the photos bunched together, but still learning new Blogger "editor" and after uploading photos, couldn't get them to separate to put the text in, so frustrating! I think it's obvious what the dishes are.

Here are more reviews of Indomania!
All Purpose Dark
Food for Thought
New Times Dining Review

Father's Day Gift Idea

SHIN
4500 Biscayne Blvd, #200, Midtown Miami, FL 33137

Dads can be Wok Stars too!

For this Father's Day, I want to thank my Dad for giving me the gift of teaching my cooking style to people around the world!

Show your appreciation for your Dad and treat him to my Wok Star Cooking Class he'll treasure for the rest of his life!

Just a bit of background about my Dad's cooking style...
My Dad and Mom's cooking styles were very different. Mom is a home cook and I learned to cook from her but my Dad had a unique style all of his own. He had a repertoire of a few dishes but REALLY made them well. He was very eccentric and used expensive gourmet ingredients that would give my Mom heart palpitations. Oops, that's another blog for another time, nudge me to write it.

Great Father's Day Gift Idea...
Wok Star Cooking Class with Eleanor Hoh
A perfect combination of socializing, entertainment and learning


Wednesday, June 24 : 7pm-10pm
$55 per person
4 dishes paired with
Gancia Prosecco (new sponsor), Tiger Beer and Fiji Water
EXTRA HIGHLIGHT: Sifu Chad Bailey will give us his take on Chinese herbs

SHIN
Few spaces left, first come, first served basis...

Reservations and prepayment required
Click to book your class, buy a gift certificate and view menu

Crash course in recipe-free, stir fry technique to make weeknight, quick, easy, healthy, delicious, sizzling wok meals in a lightweight, cast iron wok with little cleanup. Get tips on how to organize ingredients, work-space and get the scoop on Asian ingredients and where to find them.

Wok Star Kits will be available so you and your Dad can go home and start being Wok Stars right away!
OR if your Dad is not in Miami, gift him the Kit which has my complete cooking classes and the wok set, EASY.

Thanks to Gancia Prosecco, Tiger Beer and Fiji Water for providing pairings to go with my dishes, they add a nice touch to my event and my guests and I appreciate it.

May Events (Updated) - Wok Star appearances

Las Olas Wine and Food Festival
Saturday May 2

Street Festival is FREE
$75 admission for wine and food tastings with over 60 restaurants
proceeds to benefit American Lung Association

The new Culinary Pavilion is on the corner of SE 9th Avenue and Las Olas Blvd. Do come out and join us in this very worthy cause to raise funds for American Lung Association. There are Romero Britto posters and festival tee shirts, all very affordable and you can never have enough tee-shirts! I love to support causes I believe in and donate gift certificates to many auctions. My Dad passed away from lung cancer, so Dad, this one's for you.

Join me for a delicious, Pineapple Stir Fried Rice, an all-time favorite and most requested dish. Find out the "secrets to a successful stir-fry" using my Wok Star Kit, get a tasting, a free recipe postcard, a San-J tamari sampling and a chance to ask questions. See schedule for line up of wonderful chefs below.

3 - 4 Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

4 - 5 Chef Hugh Sinclair, Caribbean Cuisine, Personal Chef, Iriespice, Inc.

5 - 6 Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards

6 - 7 Milo Rodriguez, Master Mixologist, Bombay Sapphire Gin

7 - 8 Chef Alex M. Gulal, Executive Chef, Grill Room on Las Olas .Riverside Hotel

8 - 9 Chef Jean Pierre, CEO, Owner , Chef Jean Pierre Cooking School, Viking Range Celebrity Chef

9 - 10 Chef Paula DaSilva, 3030 Ocean Restaurant at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & contestant on national TV Hell’s Kitchen with Chef Gordon Ramsay


Visakhabucha Day Ceremony
Wat Buddharangsri of Miami
15200 SW 240th St, Miami, FL 33032
source and photo : watmiami.org

I've been to many events at this Buddhist Temple and it's always fun and very serene and peaceful. There will be a few Thai families offering lunch so you can purchase from them but PLEASE remember to donate something towards the Temple! Visit their website for other events throughout the year and I hope to be there...

Visakhabucha Day is considered the most important day in Buddhism because it combines three important days of the Buddha's life. These days are The Day of Birth, Enlightenment Day, and The Day of Death (Parinipana).

On this day please bring food and dessert to offer the monks and to share with others. The schedule for these days are as follows:

Sunday May 10th, 2009
10:30 a.m. Monks chanting in Pali and laypeople taking "RUB SIL", monks collect alms.
11:00 a.m. "TUK BARD" (Offering foods to the monks in the alm bowl), followed by lunch for the laypeople.
1:00 p.m. "Wien Thien" (To walk/meditate around the religious hall with candle, incense and flowers in remembrance of the Triple Gem in the evening of the Vesak full moon day) ceremony, followed by the Dharma teachings (in Thai).
6:00 p.m. Monks and laypeople do evening chanting and meditation.

Practicing the Dharma and chanting is a way of building and accumulating your own inner power, peace and happiness that will be with you for eternity. We hope you can join us on this important occasion.

16th Asian Food Fair & Cultural Show
Sat. & Sun.May 9-10
$10 admission
51 N. Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444

I've not attended this event before but looks very interesting. Let me know what you think if you go. On their site, it looks more Indian, I love Indian food, yummy.

JAPAN CULTURE WEEK
FREE and open to the public
May 11th – 16th, 2009
The Alliance Francaise de Miami
618 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL. 33130
(305) 859-8760

Source: excerpt from press release issued by Japanese Consulate

For a complete schedule of activities, please contact (305) 530-9090 or check their website.

Wok Star cooking presentation, Friday May 15: 6:30pm-7:00pm when there is a sushi competition. There will be famous sushi chefs from local restaurants. Chefs will compete for the honor of Florida’s top sushi chef live on stage in the SushiMasters Florida Regional Competition. Attendees of this competition can sample delicious Japanese and Asian-fusion delicacies.

This week-long celebration to share Japan’s traditional and contemporary culture. Activities and exhibitions will highlight the best in Japanese art, music, photography, dance, fashion, martial arts, anime, robot technology, and cuisine.

Also, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will host an evening full of wonderful activities designed with the museum in mind. Visitors will witness a special tea ceremony presentation and are invited to participate in an exclusive raffle and receive coupons for discounts in admission – courtesy of the Morikami Museum.


Great Mother's Day (May 10) Gift Idea...
Wok Star cooking class
Saturday, May 23: 12pm-3pm
$55 per person
Click here for reservations and prepayment or to buy a gift certificate

My latest thing is to bring together interesting groups in unique spaces. People are constantly saying one of the best things about my classes is how lovely it is to meet other neat folks, it's like an exclusive, private party.

So, if you want to come...spaces are on a first come, first served basis, prepayment will guarantee your space(s). So, please don't leave till last minute and be disappointed when you cannot get in...commit now.

Arclinea
upscale Italian kitchens by designer, Antonio Citterio
3140 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134

A perfect combination of socializing, entertaining and learning

Crash course in a recipe-free, stir fry technique to make weeknight, quick, easy meals in a lightweight, cast iron wok with little cleanup. You'll see how everyday dinners can be delicious by simply using readily available fresh ingredients and a few seasonings. Get tips on how to organize ingredients, work-space and get the scoop on Asian ingredients. There's a door prize for a lucky winner.

Wok Stars say "easy style" is very liberating and encourages them to be expressive, creative and to improvise.

Dining at home is much cheaper, cozier and healthier, plus you know what's going into your food and you can cook it exactly how you like it! Even better when cooked in an Arclinea kitchen!!!

A Wok Star Kit will get you started so you can BE A WOK STAR! (also name of my blog)

3 dishes savored with Tiger Beer and Fiji Water
Rainbow lettuce wrap appetizer with ground turkey, hoisin sauce & crunchy pumpkin seeds
Simple Asian veggie stir fry served with soy chicken & char siu (roast pork)
Shrimp with asparagus, carrot & topped with cashews
Tilapia with zucchini, squash & bell peppers in spicy, brown bean sauce

For more details of Eleanor's personal appearances as well as TV, radio and reviews:

Look forward to meeting you at this class...
Eleanor

Year of Ox Predictions and Horoscopes

Year of Ox predictions and horoscope:
Chinese New Year is early, Jan. 26 is the start of Year of the Ox. My sister, Valerie is an Ox and boy, this is so ACCURATE!

If you are visiting South Florida and want to take my Chinese New Year Wok Star Cooking Class, I'll be giving two classes:
Arclinea Miami in Coral Gables, Sat. Jan.10, 12pm-3pm
Gibson Guitar Showroom in Design District, Wed. Jan.21, 6:30pm-9:30pm




Here are a few dishes I served in 2008, Year of Rat. Keep it simple and have everyone bring a dish.

Stir Fry Beef with Pineapple and scallions and Shrimp with snow peas and red bell peppers







Desserts always includes tangerines or oranges, Chinese cakes and candied dried fruit served in a red lacquer box. Traditionally, red packets are exchanged with good luck money inside. Instead of money, I always give a little buddha that brings luck all year round, especially if you rub his tummy everyday.







Characteristics of Ox:
They are steady, honest, gentle and reliable. Patience and hard work bring success to the Ox. They can become hotheaded, inflexible and stubborn when pushed. They are often very skilled with their hands.

Celebrities include:
Jane Fonda, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby, Kate Moss, Jack Nicholson, Margaret Thatcher, Meg Ryan, Princess Diana and George Clooney.

Compatible with:
Snake, Rooster, Rat, Dog Less Compatible with : Dragon, Monkey, Pig, Ox, Tiger Least Compatible with : Ram

Forecast for Ox:
The Year of the Earth Ox is predicted to be an exciting year full of new beginnings. This is also a year for stability, growth and building for the future, as the elements of Earth and Water come together. For your predictions and horoscopes.

How others fare:
Aside from the Snake, the Rooster (my eldest sister Cynthia, this is your year too!) has the best prospects in the year of the Ox. Everything seems to go your way. Things you may have thought not possible will become a reality for you in this positive year.

For a lot more about Chinese New Year traditions on what to eat, wear and how to decorate your home.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!