The one thing we have been more inclined to do since owning the thermomix is find ways to use up leftover food. We had two hard as rock French sticks left in pantry and after using one for croutons. I blitzed up half of the other in the thermomix for a few seconds to make fine crumb. Baked in the oven for 5 minutes at 180c and crumbs done.
The thermomix really makes short work of bechamel sauce (white sauce) for lasagne. No stirring, and cooked doubled the recipe for two lasagnes for a dinner party in 15 minutes. It was super smooth, no lumps. Really fantastic! And then then used the Thermomix to chop up the cheese for the topping. Am loving all the different uses for this one machine.
It’s a wet cold Sunday morning, perfect weather for a hot breakfast, we tried the thermomix poached eggs.
There was a little lead time ensuring the water was boiling first before adding the eggs. Then the eggs were in dropped into the fast boiling water. We fully expected the whites to disintegrate everywhere in the basket but instead we were surprised and impressed by their cooked rounded shape unlike the flatter poached eggs husband normally serves up from stovetop pan. The only downside is the basket apparently only allows for two eggs at a time but with the ‘prepare and walk away’ factor, I’m not complaining. Takes 3 minutes to poach the eggs and gives me time set up the plates while the thermomix does the work. Our young food critics gave them the seal of approval, and Miss 8 even asked for another one.
Wowee, just made Nutella, thermomix ground up hazelnuts, chocolate and coconut oil, cooked for 6 minutes in the thermomix, then a few seconds to blend. Hey presto delicious, preservatives free. Recipe from quirky cooking website. Reduced sugar by half. Thickens when cooled in fridge.
http://quirkycooking.blogspot.co.nz/2009/10/chocolate-hazelnut-spread-dairy-free.html
Note: I used the old site to find this recipe, didn’t continue to the new site.
Followed two more guided recipes for bread rolls and pesto. Proving the rolls took longer than specified time because indoor temperature wasn’t warm enough, once the dough had doubled in size, then popped into fridge to save for the morning. So kids had fresh butter rolls hot out of the oven for breakfast and plenty for lunch boxes. Pesto was super fact, seconds to blend and very tasty.
I can see having a herb garden is going to be useful.
So excited to have more time to test the thermomix today. First breakfast, chose easy waffles from recipe community, plus fruit smoothie of course. Talk about easy peasy, the hardest part is measuring the ingredients into the bowl. Seconds later a smooth batter ready to pour into the waffle iron. Kids love the waffles and berry smoothie of course.
Next decided to make chicken stock, just added chicken, root veges, herbs, wine and salt into the TM, cooked and puréed in the TM. Made a huge amount of chicken stock paste 500g ( 1 Tb makes 500ml of chicken stock) , the accountant in me wants to calculate the cost savings already, not to mention the benefit of knowing that the stock made from is pure natural fresh ingredients, no msg or additives.
For lunch the kids wanted to try pizza, so we made the dough which makes two large pizzas. Only two minutes kneading by the TM and the dough is one ready to prove, too easy. The hardest thing is adding in the ingredients! .
Next, lemonade using the guided recipe. Just seconds and two whole lemons including the skin, caster sugar and water. Kids and I love the lemonade, it’s better than the homemade lemon cordial we make. Husband makes the comment that this is better than any cafe bought lemonade he’s ever tasted. He’s already thinking about cost saving too and smiling! A whole jug from two lemons from our garden, no mess no squeezing, no pulp, just blitz a few seconds.
Next we tried guided fruity dream recipe ( soft serve ice cream) raspberries, sugar and an egg white made a “Mr whippy” ice cream. The kids loved it. Although I will substitute sugar with a banana next time or halve the sugar. Was a tad sweet for my taste buds!
And just to give the TM a rest we made a soup using chicken stock made in TM the old fashion way on the stove in a pot. It’s funny but we feel energised, wonder if it’s the quality of the food ?
Verdict after day four:
Love the ease of use, one bowl no other dishes or equipment needed, integrated scales, self clean, touchscreen guided recipes, turns itself off when cooking finished, recipes seem to be very well tested and can’t wait to work my way through more of the basic cookbook. Haven’t even used the multi level steam cooking yet. Potential is incredible. Love it so far! Who doesn’t need a kitchen helper like this. The breakfasts are better than cafe food!
Ps went to Milly’s Kitchen to buy loaf tins and it was satisfying to see a huge billboard in the front of the store showing all the Kitchenaid equipment all just for $3500, about three machines plus accessories. If I was starting again, I’d only buy the thermomix.
NZ thermomix mum's blog 