Steamed vege and rice

I used the steamer for some vegies last night and thought I'd test out making rice at the same time - very impressed with the rice which I wasn't expecting! I ordinarily make my rice in a rice cooker and it is fail proof. The TC rice was really good, especially if you don't like gloopy, sticky rice.

I followed the recipe for this one - 1000g water, washed rice in strainer, vegies in steamer basket on top for 15 mins. I had my vege reasonably large still and they were on the crunchy side (somewhere between blanched and steamed) - brocholi and beans on the bottom and corn cobbs on top. I think possibly small cuts or a little longer for the vege may be ideal but it was still very eatable.

Next time I might try just the vege and a sauce in the bottom but this is a winner for a quick steak and vege meal.

Mashed potato and other experiments!

So, my husband loves the TM mash and I thought I would give the TC recipe a go to see how it stacks up. We both loved it although I am partial to the TM recipe as it includes parmesean and just seems to give it a nice boost so will add that next time. Would recommend cutting your potato up reasonably small though as at the demonstration I saw the mash was still a bit 'bitsy', I cut mine up smaller which I think allow it to be thoroughly cooked and was therefore nice and smooth.

I had a couple of failures - cake mixtures seem as though they would definitely benefit from the use of the butterfly for mixing. I was trying to convert a choc zucchini cake recipe and it didn't quite work so will try mixing with the butterfly next time.

Also attempted a fried rice by 'winging it' and that wasn't awesome either - egg didn't seem to cook right but may be a flaw in my methodology rather than a flaw with the TC!

The first recipe - LCM/LTM Bar adaptation

So I got home and felt like Old Mother Hubbard and all I could muster up was the ingredients for these (which, having a 2.5 & 4yo went down a treat!!) - simple and popular.

110g butter
100g sugar
2 tbs honey
1 tsp vanilla
60g Rice Rubbles/Pops
100g Cornflakes
50g dessicated coconut

Put butter, sugar & honey in TC bowl for 5mins at 100C on speed 3
With 1 min to go, add in the vanilla
Add Rice Bubbles, Cornflakes and coconut and mix for 10secs speed 1, then 10 more secs speed 2
Press into a lined rectangle baking tray and refridgerate for a few hours or until firm
I added 'sprinkles' to mine to make them more exciting but you could decorate them with chocolate or anything that tickles your fancy really. You could also make them with just rice bubbles or try cocoa pops etc too I'd imagine!

The experiment begins!

So, I have a few friends who have a Thermomix (all who have affectionately nicknamed there prized appliance) but I have been too much of a scrooge to fork out $2000 to be the proud owner of one myself.

I heard rumours a few months back of a machine which is essentially the same as a Thermomix but at one third the price, a bit of googling later and I discover the Thermochef. Not too helpful though as everything seemed to be in Spanish (or equally indescernable language to me) - but there was one Australian company promising to bring it to a store new me soon!

So, I have now been to said store, purchased the thermochef (at closer to half price than a third but still decently below the $1000 mark) and I am embarking on my experiment to see if me being a tighta**e can really pay off or if I should have just bought a thermomix.

Inital thoughts are that there is a definite sense of you get what you pay for. I have 'babysat' a friends thermomix before so amsomewhat familiar with the machine but by no means an expert BUT in saying that, I am impressed with the thermochef so far. The materials seem to be quality and the functionality differences I notice at the moment are the lack of reverse and I haven't quite worked out the interval speed equivalent yet either. Also the built in electronic scales of the thermomix is a bonus as the thermochef scales are off to the side but definitely not a deal breaker.

Also, as this is a relatively new addition to the market ( I think I heard they've been around for 18months??), the recipe book is a little sparce so I will try and use my preloved recipes plus adapt a few from thermomix to create a lovely repitoire of culinary delights!!

Please feel free to share with me if you have any tips tricks or recipes to add