Scones with whipped cream

Tonight was one of those nights. Dinner was prepared (hamburgers), a friend came over for a chat, then ended up at the vet with a howling cat. Cat is having a sleepover at the vet's prior to an operation tomorrow morning. Then I realised I had to make something for morning tea for the volunteers that help out at my work site every Thursday.

I found a scone recipe on the TM recipe community website. Decanted some of the Costco organic strawberry jam into a smaller container (seriously...I am not carrying 1kg of jam to work), and whipped some cream using the instructions in the Everyday Cookbook.

It took less than 20 minutes to make and cook the scones, decant the jam, and whip the cream.

Source: http://www.mattawamum.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/scone2.jpg (accessed 29.1.14)

BBQ pork ribs

This is the most delicious pork ribs I know. Husband and Dad love pork ribs and it was a meal they used to buy when we went out for dinner. I was in Canada a few years ago visiting family and they served this. Needless to say I asked for the recipe. I now make a big batch and freeze for quick dinners - the meat is boiled then marinated so all that needs to be done is heated through in the BBQ or in the pan.

In a very large pot place:

                                    2 chopped carrots

                                    2 large onions cut in half

                                    1 bulb of garlic, inpeeled but cut in half

                                    4  bay leaves

                                    Some peppercorns

                                    2 celery stalks, chopped

Fill with water to approximately the level  that would cover the ribs if they were in the pot. Boil for about 30 minutes, then add the ribs, cover and simmer for  1 hour. Let the ribs cool at room temperature in a flat pan covered with the sauce.

Sauce:

In Thermomix add some ketchup, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, rice wine vinegar and red pepper flakes –  the sauce should be more brown than red. Heat the mixture on Speed 1/90 degrees/2 minutes or until the sauce bubbles.  Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Cook on Speed 1/50 degrees/ 5 minutes.

Source: http://www.reeds.co.za/sites/reeds.co.za/files/images/blogs/gallery/Pork_Spare_Ribs_tu0605.jpg (accessed 26.1.14)

Tomato pasta sauce

My father in law gave us a plethora of tomatoes from his garden. Husband only eats tomato in bruschetta or on pasta so I to use up the remainder of them I made tomato sauce as the basis for quick and simple pasta when I go back to work for the new year.

I used the tomato pasta sauce recipe in the TM Everyday cookbook - tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil all chopped in thermy then cooked for 30 minutes.  Simple to make and tasted delicious. I can't wait to add it to pasta when the weather cools.

Source: http://cafefernando.com/images/tomatosauce4.jpg (accessed 26.1.14)

Chicken and bacon roll with vegetables

Dad declared that he wanted meat for dinner - this was in the middle of the previous night's meal at a local sushi restaurant. So meat was to be on last night's meal. Husband searched the thermomix websites and cook books until he came up with what he considered a meaty meat dish. 

The Chicken and bacon roll in the TM Meat on the menu cook book fitted that bill. Husband was put in charge of making it. It took longer than the other recipes we have tried because it was fiddly (he had to butterfly the chicken, roll the stuffing into the chicken, and wrap the chicken in bacon). It turned out surprisingly good. The chicken was tender and held it's rolled shape. Next time I would probably make some white wine sauce to accompany the chicken.

I steamed some vegetables and made mashed potato to accompany the meat. 

Dad was happy with his meat meal.

Pizza

Pizza has always been one of those meals we just buy. However, a lot of pizza's upset my tummy so we are limited in where we can get them from and it all got too hard. So we rarely had pizza. Ironically we have more pizza when we are with my niece with coeliac than any other time as we go to Italian restaurants that guarantee gluten free pizza.

Without a doubt my favourite pizza is mushroom pizza, or potato and rosemary pizza (but I have only ever had a few good one's of those in Italy and alas I don't live in Italy so I don't order it here anymore).

My consultant provided me with a link to an amazing perfect pizza dough recipe from the Thermomix online community recipes. O my... too easy! I received the recipe this morning so there was no time for overnight rising in the fridge (next time that will happen). Home made tomato paste, mushrooms and a sprinkling of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. No more store bought pizza's!

Steamed salmon and vegetables

A simple and delicious meal that is on our menu each week. Wanting to continue this weekly meal I decided to give it a try in the thermomix. Corn on the cob took 20 minutes in the bottom tray of the varoma (Varoma/Speed 3). The salmon pieces were put in the top section of the varoma at 7 minutes remaining (this was probably a bit too long). The other vegetables (asparagus, julienned carrot, zucchini, onion) were added to the corn with 4 minutes to go. Delicious!

Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFx5Mk3nlmeGlioRqFjFFUyycZgLLl3jMeaFrr30u3WyD4YYn9XdSmg3etgca2UIHBkCXyyig2R5jPsiO_pGYhcEdsPWi0f3hdyUhtz1zVQzayc9eZroPxsMNeQVlRULxMjG3LvkaP6dd/s1600/DSC_0094-1.jpg

(accessed 21.1.14)

Swedish meatballs and mashed potato

The heatwave has abated (and we just retuned from a weekend on the high seas) so there is not much in the cupboard that doesn't involve salads. Swedish meatballs and mashed potato from the Thermomix Meat on the menu book was finally decided upon. The entire meal was cooked in the thermomix, using the varoma to cook the meatballs while the sauce was simmering.

The meatballs were delicious with heaps of additional vegetables hidden in the mix. The sauce was lovely. With mashed potato it was a very cream coloured meal! I had better success with the mashed potato this time by cutting the potato into little cubes.

Smoothies

Smoothies, smoothie & more smoothies

I have been starting each day with a smoothie - experimenting with different ingredients based on what I have in stock:

• Mixed frozen berries, apple juice & ice
• Mixed frozen berries, apple juice, greek yoghurt, banana & ice
• Mixed frozen berries, milk, greek yoghurt, chia seeds, banana & ice

Yummo!

Chicken veloute

This is the Thermomix demo meal. What a success and included leftovers for a quick meal the next night. I am thinking I could use salmon or a firm white fish with this also (though that would be a very white meal!).

I use the Everyday cookbook Potato and leek soup recipe with a dash of dijon mustard added to make the sauce for the chicken. Steam the chicken with some baby thyme leaves in the bottom of the Veroma and vegetables on the top level of the Varoma. Wallah! Impressive and tasty meal.

Berry and oat smoothie

Use of the Thermomix has declined during the heatwave when the BBQ got a workout and simple salads were the focus of our dining.

This morning I made my first smoothie using the Martha Stewart Oatmeal Smoothie recipe. I halved the recipe as I was only making enough for me, used frozen mixed berries, and substituted lactose free milk for coconut water as I didn't have any. It was delicious!!! I don't think I blended it for long enough (1 minute) as there were still small bits of ice but it added crunch it the drink. I will regularly be making this. Today I bought some white chia seeds to be included in the next one.

Source: http://www.marthastewart.com/951433/oatmeal-smoothies (accessed 13 Jan 2014)