Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

Be a Wok Star!

blog

Miami Historic Haven: Patch of Heaven Sanctuary hosts Wok Star class

By Leave a Comment

Ready for a unique Wok Star experience?  Start with my cooking class followed by a fascinating tour of  Patch of Heaven Sanctuary, a hidden jewel in South Miami! You’ll feel like you’re in Asia, surrounded by ancient relics and luscious foliage. You’ll end the afternoon with flavored beverages and Asian pastries. I’m so excited to share this hidden treasure with you. I first visited POH when I attended a Yoga Retreat and spent a day there taking the tour. What a relaxing experience it was and met many like minded people I’ve stayed in touch with. 

Majestic Entrance to Patch of Heaven Sanctuary with huge, gorgeous Poinciana tree.
Why I chose Patch of Heaven Sanctuary to host my class?
My classes are usually held in upscale kitchen design showrooms because a beautiful environment sets the tone for learning and creativity. POH is so serene and peaceful, you’ll immediately feel like you’ve stepped into a beautiful retreat out in the countryside. You’ll be ready to learn ANYTHING in these surroundings.  I am so honored to be hosted by them. 
Beautiful wood tables where class will be held!
Courtyard beside the area where the class will be held.
Why Patch of Heaven Sanctuary is so unique?
You won’t find anything like this in Miami. It’s like stepping back in time, as if you’re in Asia. Everywhere there are Buddhas and Asian relics, or timeless pieces picked up from all over the world. Cozy spaces, wood benches to sit, meditate and be in the moment.  
There are a few more interesting projects in the works which are not featured here like the Bat towers and Beekeeping project. You’ll hear the history and fascinating stories about POH. I’ve taken this tour personally and it’s definitely so worth it.

There’s the most beautiful Koi pond, a couple of houses with adorable indoor waterfalls, swimming pool and a horse barn. It’s TOTALLY a magical space. I’m only sharing a small portion of the property because I want you to experience the wonders yourself. You’ll be blown away by its extraordinary beauty at every turn. Bring your camera, you’ll want to remember this place and share with others. 

This unique property encompasses tropical hardwood hammock forest, pine rock-land, exotic gardens and historic structures built by the Matheson family in 1964.




Cost of POH tour?
Cost is $25 which goes directly to POH to help with upkeep of their property. There will be infused water to hydrate as well as Asian pastries on your return. 

Purchase my Wok Star class EARLY!
This is a first come, first serve basis. Do not put off till last minute and be disappointed you cannot get in. TOTAL is $110: $85 for class, $25 for tour. This is a complete experience.  

Click HERE to book your experience NOW!
Keep in mind, you can book their various spaces for weddings, photo shoots, Quinces, Corporate events, launches, musical events, food festivals, well, for anything you want with a different vibe! There’s plenty of parking too, so rare in Miami.

About Patch of Heaven Sanctuary:
POH is a one-of-a-kind historic estate dedicated to reforesting and preserving their native plant and wildlife species. Visit Patch of Heaven Sanctuary website for complete details.  It is a nonprofit charity organization located in the Redland area of Miami-Dade County and their mission is Preservation, Conservation and Education.

 

Homemade Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce!

By Leave a Comment

Necessity is the mother of invention is spot on! There was no time before my class to locate gluten free Hoisin Sauce for a guest, so I made it myself.  I didn’t want her to miss out on my signature Rainbow Lettuce Wrap appetizer and the Hoisin Sauce is the highlight of this dish, and sets the tone of my class.

Wow, I am so, so surprised my version came pretty darn close to my beloved Koon Chun brand of Hoisin Sauce!  No other brand has come close in way of texture and flavor, so I am thoroughly pleased with my homemade concoction.

If you do NOT have gluten issues, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Koon Chun brand. I have tried so many brands but this is the ONE AND ONLY. You can find it at your local Asian market or you can order online. Here’s link to my Amazon page for your convenience and yes, more expensive than your local Asian market but saves you a trip. 

I had all the seasonings at home to make a gluten free version Hoisin Sauce and this came together in 3 minutes!

Put all the seasonings into small food processor and whir till combined thoroughly. 

Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce Seasonings:
3/4 tablespoons rice vinegar
1    tablespoon sesame oil
2    tablespoon honey
4    tablespoon bean paste with chili

Adjust and balance the flavors to how you like it.

If you want to have a more sour flavor, add more rice vinegar.

If you want it sweeter, add more honey, you get the drift and this is what being a Wok Star is all about. Make it for your taste buds! 

I didn’t need to add tamari cause the bean sauce was quite salty already. 

I had the perfect ceramic bowl with lid so it’ll look nice to present in class. You can use a clean glass jar with lid and it’ll keep for about a week. I suggest you use it up as fast as you can and you’ll WANT TO!

  

Koon Chun has been supplying me with their Hoisin Sauce and Brown Bean Sauce to include in my WOK STAR KIT for years and I LOVE the quality of this brand. Their factory is in Hong Kong and the owner’s son took me for a factory tour on one of my trips to visit my mother.

My most famous dish I make with Hoisin Sauce has to be BBQ Spicy Hoisin Ribs!  Make this for your next party and you’ll have loads of fans! No kidding, but try it on yourself first so you get the hang of it. So easy, only 3 ingredients! 

For more dishes using Hoisin Sauce, just type in Hoisin Sauce in search box in top right of my website on any page.

Note: I make a commission on Amazon for purchases made through my link in this post. I only recommend brands I have personally tried or know of from other people who have tried them. For me, good brands are extremely important, that is why I have included basic seasonings in my WOK STAR KIT, so you’ll succeed at your first attempt with wok cooking.

 

Novikov Miami Spice Excites Your Palate

By Leave a Comment

Alright, so now we have a Russian opening a Chinese, Japanese restaurant in Miami that’s world famous, love it, bring it ON, Novikov Miami! I didn’t get a chance to meet owner, Arkadiy Novikov but hope to one day soon. I want to get into his head what his thoughts were with his restaurant concept and to date have 50 concept businesses around the world. I find out he graduated as a chef and into environmentally friendly products. I like that.

WA WA: Shrimp Cilantro Dumplings, Saffron Sweet Corn Dumplings set our palates tingling, wow! Good wrappers are an indication of what’s inside. You could taste flavors of each ingredient, how did they do that? Definitely order these as your appetizers.

So, I think he’s onto something. But to do it with flair and style and to succeed worldwide is another story and Novikov is on the right path.

Their London outpost attracts celebrities and such and so will Miami I’m sure but it doesn’t detract from the fact they serve excellent quality Chinese Banquet style food. It’s very rare to find that any more, so we are lucky we get to experience it. So, don’t wait too long to visit.

About the decor…
Theatrical, whimsical comes to mind!  As you enter, a beautiful sculpture with colorful swirls, twirls and red flowers immediately sets the ambience of the space! Don’t just go and sit at your table, stroll around to see EVERYTHING.

The designers did a fantastic job, the artwork and colors are right up my alley. Red is dotted throughout, it’s not only my favorite color but it represents prosperity, good luck, happiness, good health in the Eastern philosophy. 

My favorite areas are of course the line up of fresh produce and fish with yes, you guessed it, RED backdrop!  Red makes the impeccably arranged vegetables and fish stand out, both are for sale. His concept was to resemble Asian markets and in this case, a very upscale one. I miss fresh markets terribly, I used to adore going food shopping with my mom. What a nice touch, there’s nothing like the aromas and freshness with the display of vegetables and fish.

Their stainless steel kitchen is immaculate, tidy and very organized. Don’t miss the hanging Peking Ducks, they were the highlight of my lunch!

Look up, those lampshades remind me of Asian hats, with different shapes and configurations. Bright purple and white orchids make this humungous space a lot more cozy.

There’s also a very zen sushi bar with a magnificent wood table and red accent cushioned chairs. Red banquettes are along the back wall with an area for private dining for 12 but I didn’t see it.

About the food…
I was invited to preview their Miami Spice Lunch menu, so it was perfect to have my friend from Miami Drink Scene join me so we could have more variety. My explanations are in the captions of each photo, so enjoy! I marked WA (Wok Star Approved) on ones I liked some with double WA, ha, ha. 

About the cocktails and sakes…
What a gorgeous bar area with lit up counters. Fancy cocktails are the in thing and they definitely made some exotic ones like their signature Wasabi and Lychee Martinis and Apricot Margarita. I love their display with Sakes encased in a glassed area which means they must be very premium, exclusive ones.

About the service…
As I asked our server, Eduardo about certain dishes, his explanations were so detailed I asked if he was a chef? Of course he was, so interesting that he is now a server. He had a lovely personality and smile which I think is so important. If you’re going to have a complete experience at an upscale, elegant restaurant like Novikov, a server can elevate your experience no end. And their charming General Manager, Alex Manuel circled back several times to make sure we were taken care of. 

I definitely want to return and try their a la carte menu and already know a few dishes I want to try! Share your experience in the comments, what dishes spiked your fancy?

Whimsical, colorful sculpture wows as you enter!
Theatrical main dining area with Asian looking hat lampshades.
Delighted with pickles as we sat down. Pickles were traditional at good restaurants in Asia, helps to open your appetite.
WA: Dim Sum appetizers of Shrimp Cilantro Dumplings, Saffron Sweet Corn Dumplings set our palates tingling, wow! Good wrappers are an indication of what’s inside. You could taste flavors of each ingredient, how did they do that? Definitely order these as your appetizers.
I know nothing about drinks but this looks fully loaded and the bartenders make exotic cocktails!
I love the modern Asian decor. Red is my favorite color and it was dotted throughout, good job!
Beautiful presentation this Wok Salmon with Black Bean Sauce.  WA: Robata Hangar Steak was melt in your mouth and perfectly grilled.
Very zen looking Sushi Bar, we didn’t experience any sushi this time.
Stocked with Sakes, beautifully displayed.
Loved the red backdrop for fresh fish display, didn’t realize they were for sale.
Just realized fresh produce were for sale too! This display with vegetables and the platters below is so beautiful, I could stare at this all day.
WA WA: The highlight for me was their Crispy Peking Duck! At first I was like, don’t mess with my Peking Duck. Never before have I had Peking Duck with a crispy crust but still tender. The contrast was exquisite. The San Pei Chicken with Aged Soy Sauce came in a cute clay pot.
What an end to our Miami Spice Lunch…Umeshu Black Forest and Key Lime Tapioca paired with Lychee Martini. They were very light as it turns out, whew.
I couldn’t resist taking a photo of their very neat and tidy kitchen with the Robata Grill. Our server, Eduardo who is a chef explained there are 3 levels of heat. No wonder our hangar steak was so tender.
You can’t leave without taking a peek at those hanging Peking Ducks.
Note: Full disclosure, I was invited to a media preview for Miami Spice Lunch Menu but doesn’t sway my judgement. I try to be as honest as I can.