#cookingprograms

Of course, a set of preset automatic cooking programs significantly affects the cost, functionality and choice of the optimal multi-cooker. Typically, all programs work based data from sensors in the bottom and on the lid. Modern models differs by the number of basic programs and availability of custom programs. But, cooking time in these modes usually exceeds this value for conventional programs. As a rule, they are used to cooking the pilaf, porridges etc. They have the following features: - the possibility / impossibility of intervention in the work of automatic programs; - presence / absence of a manual mode (multi chef mode); - possibility / impossibility of changing the temperature and time during the cooking process; - step variations of temperature and time in different modes; - countdown time. Countdown starts at the moment of switching-on or after reaching a predetermined temperature. Of course, this feature of the model should be considered. Usually, modern models support a few dozens of popular cooking programs.

Groats (rice/buckwheat) and porridge (milk/crumbly/pilaf)

Groats mode provides cooking crumbly dishes from different cereals. Therefore, cooking in this mode continues until full evaporating the liquid. Typically, device uses the maximum power. Usually, cooking time for any groats does not exceed 35 minutes. Porridge (milk/crumbly/pilaf) mode also continues until full evaporating the water. Unfortunately, not all models support milk porridge program. It operates at a temperature of about 90 degrees. But cooking time lasts about 1 hour. The flakes are divorced by milk and are heated in the appropriate mode. Pilaf mode in the ending the cooking sharply increases temperature, drys and roasts the cooked rice.

Stewing, steam cooking, baking, cooking soup/broth/compote and frying

Usually, universal stewing mode provides cooking soups, meat, fish and vegetables. As a rule, it has long cooking time at a relatively low temperature. As known, steam cooking provides the cooking without fat with maximum preservation of nutrients. Typically, models with this mode have the grilles and container for water.

Of course, baking provides cooking at high temperature with the lid closed. Cooking soup/broth/compote uses predetermined temperature. Frying mode uses the set temperature. This value is kept constant during cooking and reaches of 180 degrees.

Auto warming up, keeping temperature, Multi chef mode

Auto warming up program provides defrost and warming up food. Usually, device uses a temperature from 30 to 60 degrees. As a rule, power consumption does not exceed 20 W. But some models envisage switching off this mode that is convenient in case when recipe envisages a natural cooling. Moreover, this mode can used for cooking yogurt. But this option is only available in models that provide the temperature of 40 degrees during at least 8 hours. Unfortunately, a higher temperature kills the strain of useful bacteria. Typically, program of keeping temperature operates at a minimum temperature. In fact, device merely compensates the heat leakage. Multi chef mode changes the values of time and temperature during cooking process. But some models support the formation of programs from the fragments with different values of temperature and duration. As a rule, this function provides programming the complex dishes.

Cooking yoghurt, pasteurisation and deep fryer

Cooking yoghurt keeps a constant temperature (not more than 40 ° C) for a long time (up to 8 hours or more). Pasteurization increases the shelf life of perishable foods. Pasteurization use a temperature of 60-80 ° C. Duration of this program depends on the foods weight. Deep fryer mode operates with the lid open and with the maximum temperature.

International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai, is an Official Partner of Taste of Dubai and has geared up into its fullest spirits to power-up the 9th Edition of city’s signature food and entertainment festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheater.

This annual 3 Day Festival of Good Food, Drink & Music, will be featuring a range of innovative and interactive culinary programs, sponsored by the Headline Sponsors of the event Electrolux and Co Sponsors such as Lurpak and American Garden amongst many others. Five prominent features at the event  will be run by Team ICCA, these include The Cooking Challenge, Chef’s Theatre, Chef’s Secret, Secret Ingredient and Hospitality VIP. While the ICCA Chef Instructors will be seen managing and doing their own demonstrations as well at the event, the students will keep themselves busy working with a range of chefs, including Michelin star celebrity chefs at their work stations.

“Taste of Dubai has always been a great platform for ICCA students. Working with the Michelin star chefs is one of the best experiences they can have in their lifetime as a Budding Chef. Being a part of this event, will not only help them get the insights of working with the world class professionals but will also get to preview their future in the industry”, says Sunjeh Raja, Director of the International Center for Culinary Arts – ICCA Dubai.

ICCA Chefs, Chef Francois & Chef Aziz Rajab will be in charge and doing demos in Cooking Challenge, Chef Marco Morana will be managing and performing demos in Chef’s Theater, Chef Daniel Hiltbrunner will be handling Chef’s Secret, Chef Mihaly & Chef Vrushali will be seen managing Electrolux VIP Hospitality and Chef Vinod will be taking charge of Secret Ingredients and doing the demos for all the 3 days of the event.

“We are delighted to be playing a vital role in the event in association with the organizers of Taste of Dubai & Electrolux, that come in line with the dedicated efforts that  ICCA has been putting through over time to maintain its presence of par excellence in the industry. Also, the excitement is rapidly building for us to be managing and running many more features at the event this year and thus powering the Taste of Dubai”, Mr. Raja added.

About ICCA Dubai

Established in 2005, the International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA) Dubai is an industry centered vocational training (VET) center. Specializing in Culinary Arts, ICCA  is one of the leading culinary training providers in the world with a vision to redefine ways in which professional and personal culinary training is offered. The students are provided a truly world class culinary experience, with its accreditation & recognitions from City & Guilds London, Knowledge Human Development Authority (KHDA) Government of Dubai and with its strategic location at the region’s finest educational hub, the Dubai Knowledge Village.

Featured amongst the Top 10 Culinary Institutes in the World and awarded the “Recognition of Quality Culinary Education” by the World Chefs, a global authority on food standards. The “Recognition of Quality Culinary Education” award seeks to recognize training and education that meets or exceeds the culinary standards education established by World Chefs.

When it comes to furthering your education or nurturing your Knowledge & Skills set, but are worried about the time and place, then online education is your solution.  Online Education Programs are an option that offer convenience of time to learn from home. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), as they call it are online learning modules available to the public regardless of their geographic location or education level. It is a model for learning online for anyone who wants to take a course at their own pace and schedule.  A typical MOOC has more or less defined topics of study, facilitators and assessments. Students watch short video lectures online, read through online content and complete the assignments based on which certifications are provided.

Here, at the International Centre for Culinary Arts – ICCA Dubai, we have taken a joint initiative with Fatafeat to provide an online education platform that is, Fatafeat ICCA Academy Online for Culinary enthusiasts, to deliver a new way of learning food. Fatafeat is a subsidiary of Takhayal Entertainment which is a part of Discovery Communications, and is Middle East’s first and only Arab free-to air food channel. We all are familiar with Discovery Communications in the television world. It is the world’s #1 pay-tv programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories.

The Fatafeat ICCA Online Academy program is based on the innovative idea of bringing together Television and Online media to effectively deliver Certified Culinary Education accredited by City & Guilds, London. The accreditation by City & Guilds is given due to the program’s high level of quality instructions, online materials and support for learners, all of which will allow you to achieve the Fundamentals of Culinary and Home Kitchen Skills. Upon the successful completion of the specified “Online Assessments” from  Fatafeat ICCA Academy Online, an accredited program certificate from City & Guilds London is awarded to the candidate.

The basic idea of these online programs is to develop new skills and build expertise in a specialized area to update your knowledge & skills, professional profile, advance your career, or just to broaden your knowledge base at the comfort of your home, and you could begin whenever you wish.

Let’s take a look at the benefits and advantages of MOOC’s.

Choice of language; The MOOC classes happen in more than one language. It does not matter what language you speak, subtitles are always available and they are just a click away. You can follow the Fatafeat ICCA Online Academy in English or Arabic.

Learning at your own pace and space; Learning happens in a more informal setting, at a place of your convenience and often around your own schedule. Our online culinary courses have deadlines for tests and assessments, but they are easy to keep up with. You can even serve the dishes you make for your assignment to your family as a meal.

No age and qualification constraints; You don’t need a degree or previous knowledge to follow the course, only the willingness to learn and interest for the subject is needed. Someone as young as 13 can sign up for this program.

Learn from anywhere; You can learn the courses offered by universities or institute around the world sitting in the comfort of your home. Through our MOOC program you will have ICCA Dubai in your home!

Choosing the right career path; Doing a MOOC will help you decide whether to go for higher studies in that particular subject so as to make a career in the same. The Fatafeat ICCA Academy Online is a perfect platform to take you into the world of professional culinary education.

City & Guilds London established in 1873, is the world’s largest Vocational Awarding Body. Certifies over 1.3 Million students annually the world over and helps increase an individual’s value proposition and competitiveness within the Global market. Their accreditation is recognized as a sign of quality in over a 100 countries around the world and are used both by Governments and Industries. This Online program and accreditation will not only provide in depth knowledge in the subject but will also help in molding a career path in Culinary Arts.

When I was a kid, I loved to watch my Grandma & Grand dad both good Bakers, as they baked in their kitchen. It was fun to see how they turned simple ingredients into Sweet Magic.

This Sweet Magic inspired me to become a Pastry Chef. I continue to follow their practice Baking from the Heart and with Passion and try to bring the same flavors’ in the Cakes as they both once used to make.

When looking for some nice desserts in a place like Dubai, one generally tends to see two distinct kinds of  concepts:

Look fancy and beautiful, but taste not as nice as it looks.

Look simple and not so attractive, but taste it, you simply love it.

For me, the first and most important thing about a Cake is the look, it has to be something, “Wow, how and who made that kind!” and when tasted, the flavors should actually beat the looks!

The appearance might not be very important when we bake at home but  then the taste is.  However, when you make something good for others or if you are a Professional Pastry Chef and also expect people to spend their money on it, then good appearances do matter as much as good taste.

Growing up seeing my grandparents and also other “old time” Pastry Chefs baking, still can clearly remember the flavors they had created then. Now for me not only making good flavors but with a beautiful texture and nice structure is the next most important thing in a Cake for me.

When we have a fantastic flavor, playful texture and an exciting structure then our Cake has a story, to create a harmonic composition that connects the look, the feel and also taste to greatly experience.

I like both, the  new exciting flavors and also the very traditional tastes.

As Professionals we need to convince our customers about our product and then we need to ensure that they will never forget what they have seen and tasted.

When I bake, my main focus is on the uniqueness in the quality of flavor and also the fancy in the look of it.

Lately the trend around the World is actually to value the “old fashioned” baking and turning back to the traditional Artisan ways in Pastry, Bread, Gelato and Chocolate as against the “Soul-less” industrial mass production.

As we are celebrating The Holidays and U.S. celebrates National Chocolate Day yesterday and today here is a delicious recipe that is a MUST TRY.

Quick to make. Easily portable and above mouth watering.

When you do give it a try post a picture on Facebook and tag ICCA DUBAI or post it on Instagram and tag @iccadubai #iccadubai

Compliments of the season!

WHITE CHOCOLATE AND PECAN FUDGE

Yield: 30 small pieces

Ingredients:

1 Cup (250gm) Butter

1.5 Cup (375ml) Milk

2.5 Cup (500gm) Granulated sugar

1 Cup (120gm) Pecans (chopped)

1 tsp Vanilla extract or essence

4 oz (125gm) White Chocolate (finely chopped)

Method:

Oil an 8 x 10 inch (20 x 25cm) baking pan.

Place the butter milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to boil and stir until the sugar begins to dissolve.

Simmer the mixture until it reaches the soft ball stage (The soft ball stage is when you spoon a tiny bit of mixture on your palm and it can be rolled into a soft ball.)

Remove from the heat and beat until the mixture starts to thicken which will take about 5 minutes.

Add the chocolate and stir until it has melted.

Fold in the pecan nuts and pour the mixture into the prepared pan.

Let it cool to room temperature then chill in the refrigerator until set which will take 2-3 hours.

Cut into 1 inch (2.5m) pieces.

The discussion on healthy food or rather unhealthy food is never-ending. There are many dimensions to this discussion. So, is home cooked food healthy? Or is clean, hygienic food, healthy? Or is food low in calories, low on sugar or low on fat healthy?  Should we go ‘organic’ or should we take the ‘GMO-free’ route? Sure enough, different people have different takes on what is “healthy”. To understand this better, we need to understand what ‘healthy food’ means.

I would say ‘A food’ that contributes positively towards the physical and mental well-being of an individual is healthy food. In most cases, we cannot take up the topic of ‘healthy food’ in isolation. It is highly intertwined with one’s lifestyle and an individual’s medical condition and needs. There is no universal ‘mantra’ for eating healthy.

Fruits and vegetables are in general very healthy and if you include a variety of them in your diet you would most likely get your daily requirement of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrate, dietary fibres and believe it or not protein. However, one may argue, what if it is Genetically Modified or if it is laden with chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Is it still healthy? If we cook our food don’t we lose a lot of these nutrients?

Let’s examine meat, poultry, game and seafood in our diet. They are an excellent source of protein and iron. They also provide essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Seafood is a good source of vitamin A & D, Omega 3 & 6 and a host of minerals. The scientific community has long suspected that the inclusion of fish in the early human diet significantly contributed to the development of the human brain. But we cannot ignore the fact that seafood may have abnormally high concentrations of chemical toxins and heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. This is due to the dumping of industrial wastes into our rivers and oceans. FDA recommends limiting the intake of fish high on the food chain, such as sharks and mackerels, to 2 serving a week. Red meat and animal fat have significantly high cholesterol and may lead to a build-up of high uric acid levels in the body.

So, what really is unhealthy? I feel no food is unhealthy on its own if had in moderation and a variety of it is included in a person’s diet.

Professional Cooking Courses at Top Cooking School in Dubai

Cuisine from latin, coquere, “to cook” is a delicate blend of fine art and scientific precision. It is a passion acquired either by tasting good food or by preparing good food. As Brillat Savarin said “Beasts feed. Man eats. Only the man of intellect knows how to eat.” From the age of service de confusion to the present day where we are talking about digital dining and healthy junk food, cooking has undergone a 180° change. We are not far, when the culinary discourse will take a 360° turn.

I developed a passion for good food from an early age when, I would taste practically anything that tasted good. My earliest memories were of my mom’s traditional mouthwatering delicacies. My years in culinary school inculcated in me discipline, humility and taught me to respect hierarchy.

“A good apprentice cook must be polite with the dishwasher as with the chef.”- Fernand Point.