So last week I was invited to attend the launch of Ching He Huang’s Lotus Wok and the simultaneous release of her new book ‘Eat Clean: Wok Yourself To Health’.
Now I’m not sure about you, despite my adoration for the wonderful Ching, I can’t be alone in feeling like this could have the potential to be yet another beautiful chef harping on about the’ease of cooking yourself to a glowing new you’ with a simple’chia-seeded, matcha-powdered’ complex menu.
Interestingly, I must say, I found myself eating my words (pun absolutely intended).
You see, Ching’s recipes are both exquisitely appetising and yet healthy and nutritious enough to tick the box of any well-disciplined/attempting-to-be-disciplined diet watcher.
Upon entering, I was greeted by a delectable plate of her free-range chicken wontons with a succulent, homemade ginger and soy dip. Not to mention these gorgeously-mini duck wraps with the good ole’ classic plum sauce. These honestly, were little parcels of Heaven on a plate (as well as gluten free and low calorie I discovered on my third round).
Mid-tasting, Ching called us over to the hobs to demonstrate the versatility of her Lotus Wok. I recall seeing her on television with the legend that is Ken Hom extolling the wonders of the wok but until this demonstration I had not realised that you really can use it for cooking virtually anything.
The Lotus Wok is rather romantically so-called because, like a Lotus Leaf the coating is hydrophobic which makes it incredibly easy to clean, and the nano-silica coating allows the oil to permeate the (oleophilic) surface giving the food the authentic Asian taste of a traditional wok.
Firstly a veg-tastic stir fry with broccoli, carrots, edamame beans, kale, smoked tofu, brown rice and egg. I have often had problems cooking tofu, regularly producing rubbery, tasteless chunks, but Ching explained that I had cooked it for too long and this wok enables speedy cooking at extremely high heat (up to 400°C).
The result was delicious, filling and healthy. The second recipe,’Soy Kale and Chicken’ coated in soy sauce, garlic, ginger and chilli was so tasty and the two dishes took a matter of minutes to produce.
The book is jam-packed with recipes which, with little planning, can be produced in no time and which will more than satisfy any craving for hot, tasty and healthily low-calorie fast food.
It looks as if my New Year’s Resolution can be reinstated after all. Ching, you’ve converted me into a fully-fledged lover of the humble wok! I will (try to) make you proud.
Ching He Huang’s Lotus Wok from JML is priced at £49.99 from 8th February at JMLdirect.com. Set includes the following:
· Carbon Steel Wok
· Dome lid
· Steamer rack
· Ching He Huang’s wooden spatula and chopsticks
· Free copy of Ching’s Eat Clean recipe book (worth £16.99)