Story and photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM

All rights reserved copyright

All food photos are of real food with no photoshop

The intrepid and audacious Travelling Gourmet TM goes to the launch of EQUAL’s new product at the…

MOST welcoming Black Bird Cafe…near the Cathay cinema. I was at the launch of Equal’s new product which now uses Sucralose, instead of Aspartame which cannot withstand high heat. Sucralose, on the other hand CAN withstand high heat and therefore can be used in baking and other applications where the ingredients are subjected to high heat. It is also a non-caloric sweetener, so you will not get fat! No Calories at all. Sugar, especially refined sugar and carbohydrates make you fat! I kid you not! Scientific studies prove it. The very bad news is that obesity leads to terrible chronic diseases like the dreaded Diabetes. I was very keen to see and learn about the new products, namely, Equal Gold and Equal Sugar Blend. There was food tasting too, with dishes made using the new products. As the Travelling Gourmet TM, I have a lot of food and wine tasting. That is why I also use Equal in my diet and exercise daily!

The compere for the event was the American actor known for his potrayal of a crusading journalist in the Mediacorp TV Crime Drama series called “Keong Saik Road”.  Bobby Tonelli is from the USA and is of Italian ethnic extraction. I enjoyed his laid back presentation introducing Equal’s new products to the audience. A nutritionist, Ms. Hyumi Wong was on hand to explain how your body does not recognise Sucralose as a sugar and therefore it will not be metabolises but excreted. This means there will be no spike in your blood sugar level. This is very important for diabetics. Sucralose is safe and approved by the US FDA (Food & Drug Administration) and the European Food Safety Authority and many more government agencies. Do not pay attention to the false and misleading information on the internet about the dangers of artificial sweeteners and microwaves and fluoride in your drinking water! Sucralose has been consumed by millions in over 80 countries worldwide. Sucralose has been found to be safe for use as a food ingredient by the general population, including children and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is also suitable for people with diabetes, because it does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels.

How sucralose is made from sugar

Researchers at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London, discovered sucralose in 1976, during a collaborative research program with UK sugar producer, Tate & Lyle, PLC.

Sucralose is made by a multi-step process that starts with ordinary table sugar (sucrose) and replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. This results in a stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, but is calorie-free.

After being discovered, sucralose was put through a conclusive safety testing program over a 20-year period. Today sucralose is permitted for use worldwide.

Le Menu including desserts made with Equal Gold…

To start…Savouries included Salmon Bruschetta, Creamy mini Chicken Vol au Vent. Mushroom Tartelet with truffle Oil and Pulled Pork Risotto Arancini Ball. Quite yummie!

From L to R: Creme Brulee, Tiramisu in a Marini glass and Panna Cotta

Sweets by Chef Sinclair Wong were tasty Tiramisu with Equal Gold which had only 522.8 Calories compared to 834 Calories from normal sugar or sucrose.

Earl Grey Tea Creme Brulee with Equal Gold was nice but there was no crispy caramelized sugar on top. Only 516 Calories compared to 697 with sugar. This is how to eat your cake and still have it!

There was also Panna Cotta with Equal Sugar Blend which has half and half of Equal and Sugar. Pretty good too.

Lava Cake or Moelleux aux Chocolat with Equal Sugar Blend was nice. However, there was NO molten chocolate inside oozing out. Probably overcooked for too long. Well, nobody’s perfect…

Equal Sugar Blend is for those who still want sugar but want to eat LESS sugar. As they say in Harlem, “Different strokes for different folks…”

At the end of the day, be healthy and make good nutrition choices. Food makes the man. eat healthy and be healthy! ENJOY!

Beverages made with Equal Gold included Virgin Mojito and Iced Lemon Tea…

Interview with Bobby Tonelli

“Where were you born Bobby?”

“In Las Vegas, Nevada.”

I replied, “As long as you are not from New York and not a Democrat…everything is good!”

I continued and asked Bobby Tonelli, “What’s your favourite dessert?” He smiled and said, “Chocolate Chip Cookies! Coming from an Italian background, we love desserts!”

I asked further, “What about your favourite wine? Bobby said, “Castello Brolio, a Chianti Classico from Toscany is my favourite.” I said, “Next time try the Chianti Classico from Badia a Coltibuono!”

“How about food?”, I enquired. Bobby replied, ” Bistecca al Fiorentina…”

I like Bistecca al Fiorentina too! 🙂

My next clever and cunning plan is to make one of my famous Fruit Cakes with Equal Gold…ENJOY!