Forum Thermomix

Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Recipe Book Recipe Reviews => Topic started by: brazen20au on February 26, 2009, 09:42:07 am

Title: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on February 26, 2009, 09:42:07 am
quite a few of the recipes in the books need tweaking so if you have changes to suggest post them in this thread :) also use it to post your reviews of the recipes

suggested format:

Recipe Name:
Book Name:
Tweaking details:
Review:
Score: (out of 5*)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on February 26, 2009, 09:47:19 am
Recipe Name: lentil and tomato daal
Book Name: everyday
Tweaking details: there is an error in the first line when it asked you to add the coriander with the carrot (it is actually the LAST thing to go in). we found 2 limes too much  :-X and the lentils needed another 5-10 minutes longer. we also used a higher speed for the last 5 minutes to chop the tomatoes a bit more
Review: i will recook this and reconsider, but cooking exactly as the recipe said (well except 1 extra zucchini and a small amount of sweet potato) it wasn't something i'd eat again.
Score: (out of 5*) ** 1/2
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on February 26, 2009, 12:12:19 pm
Coleslaw

Everyday cookbook page 39

I don't add apple unless it is going to all be eaten the same day as it tends to go brown and looks unappetising - I add a little bit of sugar to compensate along with a handful of Italian parsley with the other ingredients. I usually only make 1/2 quantity and it only takes 3-4 seconds all up.

Couldn't get anything quicker than this salad, it takes longer to prepare the vegies for the bowl than it does to chop them. Haven't mastered the mayonnaise yet so use a bought one.

5/5 for me
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on February 26, 2009, 12:16:37 pm
Mushroom sauce

Everyday cookbook page 59

Made this without the porcini mushrooms (couldn't find them anywhere, any ideas what could be used as a substitute?).  used field mushrooms for best flavour and colour.  Mixed the cornflour and cream together before adding it to prevent clumping which happens sometimes.  Makes a reasonable amount so I froze small portions - so handy to have on hand for non TM31 meals like grills and snitzels or is great just served on toast.  Add more cream if too thick.

Excellent sauce, will keep packets in my freezer for ever!

Score 5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on February 26, 2009, 12:30:07 pm
Buttermilk scones

Everyday cookbook page 122

These are excellent exactly as is and always work.  I seem to make anywhere between 20 and 23 though - I use the MC lid to press them out - not that I am complaining, the more the better. This quantity and size cooks in 15 minutes.  Was never a scone maker before TM31 but I can certainly do this recipe proud now.

Will never stop making them, 5/5 for me.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on February 26, 2009, 12:31:39 pm
Rice Pudding

Everyday cookbook page 154

Perfect as is, 5/5 for me
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on February 27, 2009, 01:25:50 am
Mushroom sauce

Everyday cookbook page 59

Made this without the porcini mushrooms (couldn't find them anywhere, any ideas what could be used as a substitute?).  used field mushrooms for best flavour and colour.  Mixed the cornflour and cream together before adding it to prevent clumping which happens sometimes.  Makes a reasonable amount so I froze small portions - so handy to have on hand for non TM31 meals like grills and snitzels or is great just served on toast.  Add more cream if too thick.

Excellent sauce, will keep packets in my freezer for ever!



Score 5/5

They are available, dried, in packets at most gourmet food shops, the market and many larger supermarkets.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on February 27, 2009, 08:18:12 am
Rice pudding is 5/5 for me too. We also make it exactly as it is. Everydfay book.


Pizza dough; exactly as the recipe says, but I make 3, not 4 bases from it. (We like ours a little thicker) and I leave the bases to rise a little before I cook them.  Everyday Book.

Cape Seed bread is really tasty. I made it exactly to the recipe, but accidently turned all my seeds into flour. I think I will do the same next time.  Everyday Book.

Anzac biscuits were very nice.  I reduced the sugar to 110g and it was plenty.  Everyday Book.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on February 27, 2009, 09:19:12 am
Ginger Beer

Page 24 everyday cookbook

As is, deliciously refreshing.  Even HB, who doesn't like ginger beer, gave this the thumbs up.

5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: UnConundrum on February 28, 2009, 01:10:54 am
I have tried Coles, Woolworths and Foodland for dried porcini mushrooms

Judy, here's an Australian source that sells dried porchini.  I think you have to buy 450 grams though.....
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on February 28, 2009, 03:17:08 am
hehe

judy, if you really get stuck let me know, i'm pretty sure the deli at our local markets would sell them
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: UnConundrum on March 01, 2009, 01:41:22 am
Thanks for that UnConundrum but what is the source, nothing came up! ;D

Duh!  Try this http://www.aoap.com.au/Content_Common/pc-Antipasti-Funghi.seo (http://www.aoap.com.au/Content_Common/pc-Antipasti-Funghi.seo)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 06, 2009, 12:33:25 am
Tell me, I'm sure the recipe is going to be far too much for 2 - once made, can they be frozen either before or after the steaming process. 

Yes, they are dirt cheap when you consider how much it takes to make them - cheaper than making your own pasta.  You can use them for ravioli, tortellini etc.

Two options - I prefer to make up extra filling and freeze balls/ice-cube trays of filling (so it doesn't take long to thaw) these can be placed into the wrappers once thawed - the wrappers last well if placed in a zip-lock bag and kept in the fridge .

If you are going to freeze whole dim sims then best to freeze them after cooking as the raw wrappers are more likely to stick (use semolina to sprinkle between if you do try freezing them raw - less sticking than flour).
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: trudy on March 06, 2009, 02:13:59 am
Hi Judy,

You will be able to get porcini mushrooms from the "mushroom man"at the Adelaide central market.  He sells them in small packets or to the weight that you require.  Just remember that when you soak them not to throw away the soaking water as it adds great flavour to soups ect.  DJ's also carry them and continental grocery shops or at least they do around here.  I live in Redwood Park - if you have trouble getting them let me know and I will get you some and bring them down when we visit my sisterinlaw at North Haven.

Trudy
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on March 06, 2009, 05:51:03 am
I have just finished making the Strawberry tart from the calendar - it is February's recipe.
The pastry was nice, but needs less butter.  I would drop maybe 20 gms from the given recipe and see how it is.  I baked it in a 23cm flan tine for 15 minutes, not the 10 suggested at 170C, not the 160 suggested, for the first, blind, baking.

The custard recipe has far too much flour in it and subsequently tastes of flour, not of white chocolate.  Again I would drop 20 gms and see how it goes.  I baked it in the flan for the second baking at 170C for 15 minutes.

The glaze recipe is just silly.  It has way, way too much cornflour and I subsequently had to fiddle about quite a lot with it.  I would suggest halving the cornflour and checking the consistency after half of the stated cooking time, unless you enjoy a thick, gluey mass.

All in all, a disappointing recipe.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: wombleydoo on March 06, 2009, 06:48:49 am
I don't like custard made with flour (as per the TM everyday cookbook). I use cornflour instead. The flour is very overpowering in flavour.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on March 06, 2009, 07:16:06 am
I don't like custard made with flour (as per the TM everyday cookbook). I use cornflour instead. The flour is very overpowering in flavour.

I agree and with 3 eggs in it, I doubt that there is much need for very much cornflour, either.
I wonder who tested this recipe? ??? :-\
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Harmony on March 06, 2009, 12:12:40 pm
Recipe Name: Bechmael Sauce (white sauce
Book Name: Everyday
Tweaking details: Increase butter to match the amount of flour (equal weights) and it is soooo much nicer!
Review: It then makes the most wonderful white sauce, even with gluten free flour (I use White Wings)
Score: (out of 5*) 5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: riv_mum on March 07, 2009, 01:10:17 am
Recipe: Chineese style stirfry vegies
Book: Everyday Cooking

Review: Love this one - perfect every time. Instead of oyster sauce I sometimes use soy and a tbsp of honey or add a couple of tbsp of bought stirfry sauce. You can also add chicken or beef stir fry strips  - just give them 2 min cooking before you add the veg. A very quick meal. Bulk it up by stirring through hokkien or singapore noodles.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on March 07, 2009, 03:07:55 am
Cathy, your comment re the custard was interesting. I've made it heaps of times and could never taste the flour. Then the other night it seemed to taste of nothing except the flour. Will take your advice and use cornflour instead. I MAY even try it without .
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 07, 2009, 04:22:17 am
Well Cookie1 and Riv Mum, I have done it.  However, a slight tweaking took place at the end because I like a sauce with my chinese vegies.  I dissolved 2 teaspoons cornflour in a little water, added that to 1/2 cup boiling water and l chicken stock cube. Poured that through the lid and cooked a further minute at 100o on reverse and soft speed.  I had cooked the vegies prior to that for 9 minutes and the texture was just perfect for me. I loved it, best recipe I've done! Added 1/2 packet of singapore noodles and put it in the thermo dish to keep warm whilst I steamed the dim sims to go with it.  Poured a little ketjap manis over the dim sims - as nice as everyone has been saying. Have frozen the left-over dim sims for now - have a plan for them though so will get back with that idea when I do it.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: wombleydoo on March 07, 2009, 08:32:15 am
I could taste the flour when I tried the custard at the demo I went to. Its much nicer with the cornflour.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 07, 2009, 09:03:25 am
judydawn, my buttermilk bread ended up a shape in between a loaf and a foccaccia
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: bron on March 07, 2009, 08:42:14 pm
Only problem for me is that all these recipes aren't in my book.
 :-[
Any chance you could put up the ginger beer, please ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 07, 2009, 11:12:25 pm
Ginger Beer

180g brown sugar (or to taste)
2 lemons, washed and peeled, pith removed
150-200g ginger, peeled and cut into cubes (I used 150g)
1000g Mineral Water chilled

Place sugar, lemon and ginger into TM bowl and blend for 20 seconds on speed 8.

Add 350g mineral water and mix for a few seconds on speed 8.

Strain mixture through basket into a jug and add the remaining mineral water.

Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Halve the recipe for 2 people.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on March 10, 2009, 12:38:49 am
That was a great review of the Strawberry tart Amanda - even though the recipe was very hard to work through, you stuck at it.  I didn't buy the calendar for this very reason, the recipe books etc suck! This is what I find most disappointing with my purchase of the Thermomixer - the recipe books, not the machine itself. I'd love to see them collaborate with the editors of Womens Weekly magazine and let them come up with a recipe book which we could all trust.  What recipe from the Womens Weekly doesn't work?  Triple testing is the key to this problem and by someone who is good at it.  We need reviews like yours to show people responsible for them that it is just not good enough.

Cathys remark about cornflour instead of flour - I agree wholeheartedly.  I always use cornflour, never flour.

Thanks Judy.
The problems with the recipes and recipe books does seem to persist and has been a major irritation to me since I first discovered the machine 18 months ago.  I have raised it several times with Perth and I think that the only answer is for Thermomix Australia to spend some serious money on a test kitchen.
It does the machine no service to have very poorly formulated or not properly tested recipes and must cause all sorts of disappointment and frustration to people who may not have as much experience with cooking.

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: baf65 on March 10, 2009, 03:29:38 am
the Vegetarian Cookbook is out!! and its been written, tried and tested by Tenina so here's hoping its a goodie, I saw some of the things that are in it last night and it sounds great!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 10, 2009, 04:04:44 am
yippee!!!!!

and i agree amanda, the mistakes in the book don't bother me too much as i tend to just fly by the seat of my pants anyway, but there are lots of people who need a recipe to follow and they are likely to be turned off using the thermomix if the recipes aren't right.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on March 10, 2009, 05:44:34 am
Excuse my hopeless ignorance, but how would I go about buying the Vegetarian book?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 10, 2009, 05:57:17 am
you'd need to find a consultant / demonstrator cookie :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: baf65 on March 10, 2009, 07:22:23 am
cookie are you going to any of the cooking classes? they will be on sale there I think, or else contact your consultant or send me a PM and I can sort one out for you.  They are $30
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 10, 2009, 07:56:03 am
Shortcrust Pastry Page 119 Everyday cookbook

Successfully made this at the weekend - never made pastry before in my life so was pretty proud of myself.  Made it 2 ways, once with butter and then with margarine (to see what the difference was).  The butter one was easier to roll and tasted sweeter (?) but the end product looked exactly the same.  I made pasties - those you buy are either too spicy or the diced vegies aren't cooked so the TMX chopped them to perfection in around 3 seconds and I just added around 180g mince meat. Made 8 out of the 2 lots of pastry but could get more if I made them smaller. 

Will certainly do again - a big 5 out of 5 for me. No longer am I scared of pastry making.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 10, 2009, 08:26:57 am
Amanda, must thank you for your comments on the cook books.  I wasn't sure if I had come on too strong and it is nice to have someone agree with you on this matter.   :-*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: baf65 on March 10, 2009, 09:02:53 am
judy there is a meat cookbook in the pipeline
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Master Moderator on March 10, 2009, 03:38:28 pm
Does Australia have a Winter???
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 10, 2009, 09:07:34 pm
not like a european or north american winter but yes! it snows here occasionally, every few years 8)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on March 10, 2009, 11:27:43 pm
not like a european or north american winter but yes! it snows here occasionally, every few years 8)

Yes.  I remember it 'snowing' when I lived in Melbourne.  It reached -1C, and everyone at work was very excited.  One of my colleagues lived in the hills a bit, and he came into work late because he was busy taking photos.  He had a photo of himself pointing at the snow on his car.  If I looked VERY hard, I could see it  ;D :D ;D  (I know that you get enough snow to ski in the mountains - I'm just teasing). 

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 11, 2009, 12:55:14 am
lol!
we've already had a couple of nights that got down to 4'c here and it's only just autumn! lol mind you it has snowed at christmas - summer - time in the mountains several times that i remember (maybe once a decade or more)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on March 11, 2009, 01:50:05 am
Thanks for the replies re cookbooks.
Baf65, I'm going to the April 2nd cooking class at Bentley so will look then. Daughter is coming with me. Otherwise will contact you if I need help. I haven't heard from my "consultant" since one call after I got my machine. I don't expect them to keep in touch with me but it would have been nice to know when new books are available and how to get them.
But then...............................we can't all be wonderful........................I guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 14, 2009, 10:15:39 am
Someone had to do a review on this one so I suffered for everyone and gave it a try.

Midori Splice Page 26 Everyday Cookbook - drinks section

Recipe makes 4-5 large cocktail glasses but I only made one for me to test it.

Nice starter to a dinner party for the ladies.

4 out of 5 for me. 

Expensive to get all the bottles in but they will last a long time - especially in this household.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 14, 2009, 11:35:22 am
LOL

thanks for being such a martyr judy ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on March 14, 2009, 11:11:35 pm
Thanks, Judy, it is good to know tha there are people out there who are prepared to put themselves on the line for the greater good!! :D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 17, 2009, 05:17:53 am
managed to get them from the mushroom man at the market.  At that price $7.50 for 20g, I think I will even eat the container!!!


I had a friend who travelled to Europe frequently and always brought back heaps of dried porcini at very low cost.  Forgotten how much I used to pay - but much less than $7.50 for 100g !!

How I miss her  :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 17, 2009, 07:26:30 am
Someone had to do a review on this one so I suffered for everyone and gave it a try.

Midori Splice Page 26 Everyday Cookbook - drinks section

Recipe makes 4-5 large cocktail glasses but I only made one for me to test it.

Nice starter to a dinner party for the ladies.

4 out of 5 for me. 


is that 4 out of 5 glasses are consumed by you ???  ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 07:08:16 am
I'll put my two bob's worth in here about the recipes books etc for Thermomix in Australia. 

It is great to see how many recipes in the books have received 5/5.

I agree that there have been problems in the past and that many of the recipes really don't work (at least in my hands).  Amanda knows better than most here, having owned her machine for over 18 months, that there really were problems with getting people at TMX Oz to listen.  Recipes were not tested before publication, except by those submitting the recipe.  I find it hard to believe that they were not open to more suggestions and assistance.  When I suggested early last year that there should be a forum (before Tenina's time), I was told that nobody would participate and that they would be lucky to receive a recipe per month.  Mind you they never encouraged anybody to send in recipes.  It has been frustrating IN THE PAST.

Things have changed - Tenina is doing her bit to turn things around with the TMX in OZ blog with monthly recipe comp and with testing recipes submitted for the comp and for the new books.  I know she did a lot of testing for the veg book.

It is great to see the constructive comments here and I hope people will test my recipes and comment on them.  As you can see now, I am nothing to do with the food industry and so am just your average punter.  I can't guarantee my recipes are going to work for everyone, but I am willing to accept criticism and suggestions.  The more criticism the better for me as then I will know that you have tried them - and not everyone has the same palate and likes as me.

Currently, I believe the same is true of the new TMX in OZ group. They are ready for interaction.   So, let's get as many recipes to them as possible that we have tried, and maybe not quite perfected, and also help test recipes on the blog and comment there too.  Trust me - they (Tenina) will listen.

Remember - the cheapest way to get a new vego recipe book is to submit a TMX recipe and have it chosen for the competition.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 07:20:34 am
Just thought that I would add that I must confess that I am probably the worst person for not following recipes, but flying by the extensive seat of my pants, so have made very, very few recipes from the books.  Hence they can't be bl;amed for my failures.

I always intend to test the recipes as per the book, but then get side-tracked and start tweaking.  So. I really do appreciate those who have  followed the recipes and commented, favourably or otherwise.

I really, truly believe that Tenina (who has been in the US and NZ flying the TMX flag) is listening and NOTING what we say.

Keep up the great work team - it is very satisfying to see so much new information and ideas in English. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 08:47:16 am

  However, with the cost of the machine, I do feel we deserved better right from the word go and it shouldn't have been left up to us to sort recipe problems out for the 'professionals'. They are, after all, getting paid and we are not.


VERY TRUE - HERE, HERE .  I am amazed how few people know about the Thermomix still in Oz,  think it must be worse in UK as there are almost no blogs or resources relating to TMX that I have found in UK.  Haven't hear from fannyadams lately, but from here posts http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=487.msg1689#msg1689 (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=487.msg1689#msg1689) I think that is so.

After sales service for me has been almost non-existent, but then my consultant knows that I am happily using the machine.

It would be good to get more "news" and ideas from HQ - Tenina is starting that now. 

The machine only sells thru referrals and so it really is sad  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( to see the lack of tangible assistance.

I can't believe you were not encouraged to start this website - the better our recipes taste for our guests the more people that will want to buy one. 

LOL - I tried to start an Aussie group - but when I found this forum already set up by Master Moderator, I started referring people here.

Now, even Thermomix in Australia thinks that it is mine !!!!  No, it's OURS, although I have wasted more time than anybody fooling around here, so presence may be 9/10's of the law. 

I am not even sure that Tenina is getting that much assistance (probably shouldn't say that) as I really don't know that the TMX group realise how powerful the internet can be for TMX.  She seems to be the only one really keeping the communication channels going.  May be wrong - but if I am then somebody from TMX in Oz can abuse me via email.  Not holding my breath tho'.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: baf65 on March 18, 2009, 09:30:30 am
I am surprised that there are not more consultants on here to be honest and how few of them know about it when I tell them about it
Its a pity as there is a lot of very very knowledgable consultants out there who have been using and selling the machine for many years, it would be great to get more involvement from them
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Ayla on March 18, 2009, 10:55:57 am
So, I'm gathering the recipe book you get with the TMX isn't entirely trustworthy?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 18, 2009, 11:17:50 am
It is a good book for basics like dips, drinks, pastries, salads etc but doesn't have many main meals in it.  You do need it though as it explains all sorts of things like how to whip cream, cook rice etc which will be handy but as a recipe book, it is a let down. I have had more success cooking recipes from the forum than the limited recipes in the book but you will find yourself referring to the everyday cookbook all the time for simple things.  I was definitely not using my TMX much after the initial sorbet fad, custards, mashed potato etc until I got interested in this site.  Just go for it, do the dishes you fancy and post comments , reviews and tweaks for us all to see.  How much longer Ayla?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 18, 2009, 11:41:03 am
Whilst you are waiting for your TMX Ayla you can check out the contents of the Everyday cookbook.  Log onto www.thermomix.com.au - click on Recipes then click on contents of recipe book.  As you will see, there is plenty to see.  A lot of the recipes just need something added for more flavour eg the apricot chicken is very bland and my daughter adds some bacon and chilli to pep it up a bit. I made it once but was so disappointed that I haven't bothered to try again.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on March 18, 2009, 11:57:53 am
Ayla, I find the recipe book great for helping you to adapt your own recipes. You can get basic ideas of time and speed from there.

I made the Capsicum and Sundried Tomato Dip this afternoon. Page 54 of the Everyday book. I used semi-sundried tomatoes and made it exactly as per the book. It's very nice. I let it sit for several hours for the flavours to develop and everyone liked it. We even used the stale Parmesan Grissini with it.  Mmmm, even better.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on March 18, 2009, 12:02:47 pm
I've done and loved this one too Cookie1 - used my own roasted red capsicum which gives it even more flavour.  The dips are all good so far.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Ayla on March 18, 2009, 12:54:58 pm
Thanks Judy and Cookie, and thanks for the link I'll check it out tomorrow. I phoned my distributor tonight but she was at a demo. Tomorrow night will be a week since I ordered it, I'm growing impatient *fidgets* ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on March 18, 2009, 09:31:00 pm
I think that we should remember that this forum is amazingly young, so I suspect most people at TMX haven't properly realised it's here yet, let alone it's usefulness (IMHO).  Let's give them time. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Ayla on March 18, 2009, 09:53:57 pm
Hey I had a look at the download, it's only the Index pages of what recipes there are, not actual recipes. Is that what you meant? Or am I looking in the wrong place?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 10:34:11 pm
Tell me, (or us) who exactly is Master Moderator and where does he/she fit into the equation here. Can we get into trouble with him/her? ;D ;D ;D

MM is a 40 yr old Englishman living in Portugal - he started this based on the extremely popular Bimby forum in Portugal.

You can get in trouble with him - he removes people (especially all the idiots who post porn and rubbish).  But I am sure you'll be safe JD   ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 10:36:42 pm
I am surprised that there are not more consultants on here to be honest and how few of them know about it when I tell them about it
Its a pity as there is a lot of very very knowledgable consultants out there who have been using and selling the machine for many years, it would be great to get more involvement from them

Maybe they just don't get onto the internet much ??  I would be pretty sure that my consultant has not visited the forum.

I don't benefit financially, just love my machine and want others to know about them.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 10:43:12 pm
So, I'm gathering the recipe book you get with the TMX isn't entirely trustworthy?

Beware of the times given for chopping etc especially.  Many of the dishes are best given a 2 or 3 second chop - check - scrape down and assess, rather than chopping for 10 - 15 seconds and then getting a mush in the bottom of the machine.

Better to not put in huge pieces of things like onions, carrots and chop for 20 seconds as some recipes suggest - you may end with mush on the bottom with a couple of large chunks floating on top.

Sometimes chopping at slightly slower speeds - 5 to chop onions rather than 7 gives better results and more control.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 10:56:38 pm
I think that we should remember that this forum is amazingly young, so I suspect most people at TMX haven't properly realised it's here yet, let alone it's usefulness (IMHO).  Let's give them time. 

Agree that it is going to take time, but wonder why consultants wouldn't recommend it to their clients and prospects.  It is in their interest I would think??
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 18, 2009, 11:01:52 pm
Hey I had a look at the download, it's only the Index pages of what recipes there are, not actual recipes. Is that what you meant? Or am I looking in the wrong place?

That is it - just the contents page - you get some idea of what is in the books, but no full recipes  :(
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on March 19, 2009, 06:22:40 pm
Agree that it is going to take time, but wonder why consultants wouldn't recommend it to their clients and prospects.  It is in their interest I would think??

Well, I'm a Demonstrator - and I do  ;D ;D  I encourage everyone I meet with a TMX, thinking of buying one, etc, etc, to at least visit the forum
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on March 19, 2009, 10:51:42 pm
 :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on March 20, 2009, 07:22:54 am
Oh! For some reason there's lipstick all over my monitor, or maybe it's only lip marks.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on March 20, 2009, 07:49:07 am
*snort* :D
Title: Re: Torta Caprese (Flourless Almond Cake) Review
Post by: Dean on April 04, 2009, 06:57:00 am
Hi All,
This cake is so delicious.  A word of warning - I'd use 5 teaspoons of baking powder instead of the recommended 20 grams as I found it hard to measure the powder accurately.  The cake mixture will also double in size (at least!) when baking, so be sure to use a large cake tin.  The bundt cake tin was far too small and I ended up with a cake volcano in the oven!  Because the cake is gluten free, it will sink when you take it out of the oven too.

Tweaking - Not much apart from the baking powder thing.  It wouldn't hurt to mill the almonds for 10 seconds longer if you like a finer texture.
Taste 5/5

Cheers,
K3
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on April 06, 2009, 01:40:15 am
 :o :o :o :o That's a lot of baking powder.  It may be that a couple of teaspoons would be enough??  Less likely to have the Mt Vesuvius effect and more like a gentle Isle of Capri feel.

LOL - one recipe that I saw had a definite misprint with something like 1 cup of baking powder instead of 1 teaspoon - now that is toooooooo much.
Title: Re: Torta Caprese (Flourless Almond Cake) Review
Post by: Amanda on April 06, 2009, 05:37:49 am
Hi All,
This cake is so delicious.  A word of warning - I'd use 5 teaspoons of baking powder instead of the recommended 20 grams as I found it hard to measure the powder accurately.  The cake mixture will also double in size (at least!) when baking, so be sure to use a large cake tin.  The bundt cake tin was far too small and I ended up with a cake volcano in the oven!  Because the cake is gluten free, it will sink when you take it out of the oven too.

Tweaking - Not much apart from the baking powder thing.  It wouldn't hurt to mill the almonds for 10 seconds longer if you like a finer texture.
Taste 5/5

Cheers,
K3

I have made this recipe a couple of times and I'm sure that I don't use that much baking powder.  I would think that 1-2 should be enough.  It is not meant to rise too much, anyway, because it is flourless.
I haven't made it in a while, but I think that I reduced the cooking time too, but cannot swear to that. ???
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Rowyfo on April 10, 2009, 09:50:39 am
I made the Butter Chicken from the Everyday book tonight and it was just wonderful. Big thumbs up. :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 13, 2009, 07:54:21 am
I made the Tomato soup from the Everyday cookbook last night. It was nice,but!
Next time I think I will leave out the lentils. I usually like lentils in soup but this time they didn't seem right.  I realise they were there to thicken the soup.
I also added a little bit of milk when I served it to just dilute the tomato taste a little. I also added basil when I was making it and left out the tomato concentrate.
I will make it again but will try leaving the lentils out.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 13, 2009, 01:06:39 pm
I made the Caramelized Apple Risotto Pudding for dinner tonight.(from the Vegetarian book) I only made half the quantity as there are only 3 of us. The flavour is really lovely and appley. I used unsweetened apple juice and reduced the quantity of sugar by about 2/3. It is still quite sweet so next time I'll reduce the sugar by even more. I didn't do the caramel topping, only because I was trying to keep our sugar down.
The apples need to be cut into fairly small pieces or alternatively blitzed a tiny bit in the thermomix.

It is a really lovely dessert, we had ours with a little of the left over mascarpone.

I'd like to try it with plums before they go out of season.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on April 14, 2009, 01:13:52 am

Next time I think I will leave out the lentils. I usually like lentils in soup but this time they didn't seem right.  I realise they were there to thicken the soup.

I will make it again but will try leaving the lentils out.

Did you mill the lentils first - they should be just about powder and just a thickener.  Try the tapioca -as you say it is just a thickener.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on April 14, 2009, 01:15:43 am

I made the Caramelized Apple Risotto Pudding for dinner tonight.(from the Vegetarian book)


Have to check it out - I love green apple risotto with blood pudding - sorry to introduce that into a dessert stream, but it is a good combination.  ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 14, 2009, 07:38:28 am
oooooh! I can't stand blood pudding by itself! :P :P :P bleck!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: trudy on April 14, 2009, 08:14:02 am
Sorry, just the thought of blood pudding..................

Trudy
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: bron on April 18, 2009, 08:15:56 am
What is blood pudding? Please enlighten me!!! ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on April 18, 2009, 11:02:07 am
blood pudding  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pudding)  :-X :-X :o
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: bron on April 18, 2009, 02:37:55 pm
Oh ok. we call it black pudding or morcilla in Spain.
I do like it now actually, especially the one from my husbands village made with lots of onion! :P
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 24, 2009, 06:48:47 am
Creamy Tomato & Salami Fettuccine, everyday cookbook page 89.

Easy to make and delicious.  Only tweaking I made was, after adding the tomatoes, water, cream and stock and cooking it for 10 minutes, I blitzed the mixture for 2 seconds on speed 5 as the tomatoes were too chunky at this stage for my liking.

I thought I might try a chicken and broccoli one instead of the salami next time but when I voiced my opinion to DH, he said why mess with it, it is perfect!  Won another one!! Thanks Karen for recommending this recipe.

We give it 5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 24, 2009, 09:32:35 am
I've made a couple of batches of the Tomato (pasta) sauce.  The only difference to the recipe in the Everyday book is that I've added nearly a teaspoon of sugar to bring out the flavour of the tomatoes. It's lovely for pizza sauce and simply on pasta with parmesan or mozzarella.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 25, 2009, 07:04:35 am
Nigel's Coq au Vin in the Mains section of this forum.

Absolutely loved this one and it will be on my list of dishes to serve up to friends.  Made a few changes to suit me but would be OK just as is for others.  I used 6 skinless, boneless, defatted chicken thighs (left them whole as they do break down during the cooking process) and because I didn't have any tomatoes, I used a tablespoon of tomato paste (this would add more flavour than a tomato anyway).  For the provincial herbs I made a bouquet garni with fresh herbs from my garden using 2 bay leaves, 3 sprigs parsley, 1 sprig of sage and 2 sprigs of thyme. I tied it all together and put it in with the chicken and removed it after cooking the mushrooms. There are no speeds given in the recipe so I cooked the chicken for 5 minutes on speed 1 with MC in place then once the wine was added I continued on speed 1 with the MC off as there is a lot of liquid there and you need to reduce it somehow.  When the chicken was removed and the mushrooms added to the liquid (again cooked on speed 1 with MC off for the 15 minutes) I put some extra vegies in the varoma dish (cauli, broccoli and pumpkin - small pieces) and these cooked whilst the mushroom sauce was cooking. I thickened this sauce with a small amount of cornflour (1 heaped tablespoon) mixed with some water and kept the chicken and sauce warm in the thermosaver whilst I cooked some potato for mashing.  I left the vegies in the varoma to keep warm whilst the potato was cooking and the chicken stayed hot enough in the thermosaver.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on April 25, 2009, 11:08:45 am
tonight we made 2 recipes - the curry vegie fritters and the baked beans from the new vegetarian book. the fritters are delish, the baked beans are STILL going... lol (we're up to 1hr 15 mins now)

Recipe Name: Curry Vegetable Fritters
Book Name: A Taste of Vegetarian
Tweaking details: I made mine gluten free and had to make a few substitutions due to not having what the recipe called for (just about to blog my version)
Review: YUM!!!! dh and i loved them. the kids owuldn't touch them of course lol (they won't eat any fritters of any kind, i have no idea why). we didn't have avocado & dh doesn't eat it so i quickly mixed some natural yoghurt and sweet hilli sauce which was good with it :)
i couldn't believe that the tiny amount of batter and huge amount of vegies would work but it did, wonderfully!. it makes a HUGE batch

i'm thinking that made in teaspoonfuls (which would be a complete pain to cook, i hate frying lol) it would make a quite elegant and trendy finger food for a party
Score: (out of 5*) 5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on April 25, 2009, 11:24:31 am
Recipe Name: Baked Beans
Book Name: A Taste of Vegetarian
Tweaking details: we made them as is with a few minor changes - used cannellini beans instead of navy, didn't have kombu, and used raw sugar instead of molasses sugar. it was WAY too salty, not sure we added too much stock powder but next time i wouldn't use the tamari and would add a few tspns of stock powder and more if needed. they took about 10 mins longer to cook with cannellini beans (out of the freezer) than the recipe said)

warning - this recipe does NOT make much. even doubling it would barely be enough for our family of 5 as a main meal.

Review: the kids loved them. dh said they were very nice except for the saltiness
Score: (out of 5*) 3.5 - reduced for the saltiness and the time to cook
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 26, 2009, 09:36:54 am
Recipe Name:  Arrabiatta Sauce   

Book Name: Everyday Cookbook

Tweaking Details.
I made no changes at all to the recipe this time as it was my first time making it. Next time I will add a little more chilli as we like quite a 'kick'.
Review
This was very nice over gnocchi. It had just the right amount of 'stickability' to the gnocchi. You could taste the bacon in the sauce. It was easy to make too. Very nice.
Score
I would give this 5 out of 5 as I'll make it many more times.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 26, 2009, 09:42:16 am
Recipe Name:  Gnocchi

Book Name: Everyday cookbook

Tweaking Details
I didn't change this recipe at all. I did add the optional egg. I also cooked my potatoes in a saucepan on the hotplates, and then followed the TMX instructions.
Review
Very tasty, as good as any gnocchi I have made before. I found it great to be able to  do all the mixing and kneading in the bowl. One thing I did discover though was that the machine will not knead if the temperature in the bowl is over 60 degrees. Therefore I had to let the mixture cool a bit before I could knead it.
Score  4 out of 5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 28, 2009, 12:25:35 pm
Moussaka - Page 35 Gluten Free Cookbook (we have no intolerances to gluten or wheat but there are some nice recipes for everyone in this book).  Only other thing I have made from this book is the Chicken and Corn Soup page 21 which got the tick of approval too. 

A really easy dish to make and serves 6 people. I used 600g mince, only because that was how much was in the pack but followed the rest of the recipe as is except I did the bechamel sauce from the everyday cookbook.

Would be a good one to make ahead and freeze for later.

Will certainly be making this one again.

5/5 from us.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on April 28, 2009, 03:23:01 pm
Recipe Name: Baked Beans
Book Name: A Taste of Vegetarian


Looking forward to getting my copy of the book in August.  I'll definitely give these a try - bearing in mind your modifications.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 30, 2009, 09:59:38 am
Potato & Leek Soup Pge 72 Everyday Cookbook

Cooked as per recipe but added more potato.  Found it to be very salty so I think just 1 tablespoon vegie stock concentrate would be enough. Decided to add the cream into the blended soup to see if that would cut the saltiness (instead of swirling it on the top when serving).  This improved it a lot but I still felt it was lacking some oomph so sauteed some bacon and added that along with some chopped parsley.  I was then reasonably happy with it but I think I will add even more potato next time.

For me, 3/5 as I have tasted some absolutely delicious potato and leek soups and this wasn't one of them.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 30, 2009, 12:13:44 pm
I Love Bimby's Spiced Chicken & Sweet Potato -find it in mains on the forum

This is an excellent meal, low fat too.  I substituted the chicken thighs with skinned and partly deboned chicken marylands (cut in half at the joint) for a much cheaper meal.  The cooking time was still perfect.  I think I will double the sauce next time though as I am a real sauce lover and even if it is too much,  the excess can be frozen for something else. Seasoning was perfect.

5/5 from me and DH
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on May 18, 2009, 11:48:37 am
Recipe:  Cheese and ham muffins

Book:  I've lost it at the moment, but I think it's called cooking for Kids, or school snacks, or something?  The booklet that came out a few months ago.

Rating:  2 out of 5

I had high hopes of this recipe, as it was nice & healthy, and likely to appeal to my daughter.  I followed the recipe exactly as I thought I'd mess about with it another time.  However, no-one in our family liked them.  We all agreed that it was the parmesan taste which was too strong/salty, and that perhaps with cheddar they'd be OK.  However, none of us is willing to give it another go.  And I have lots of them left over, that I'm using as dog training treats as we don't want to eat them.  :(
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on May 18, 2009, 12:03:28 pm
oh dear! my 3yo loves them! lol
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on May 19, 2009, 04:34:22 pm
 ;D  Guess it's just a personal taste thing.  Or perhaps Ozzie parmesan is milder than ours???  It really was overpowering.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 19, 2009, 07:15:17 pm
Did you use freshly grated Parmesan, gatre your own or buy pre-packaged Parmesan - when we were kids my mother bought some parmesan for the first time (about 40 years ago when it wasn't used much by aussies) and it was definitely off - rancid ? and it stank.

I had some a couple of days ago that was just so sweet and not salty/strong.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 20, 2009, 07:44:26 am
That was the offender - think it was Perfect brand.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 01, 2009, 09:58:44 am
Recipe Name: pulse & pumpkin curry
Book Name: vegetarian
Tweaking details: i used vege stock concentrate instead of salt, added 1/2 eggplant diced (could have added heaps more vegies). we also cooked more beans than the recipe called for and did halved brussells sprouts too
Review: the vegies & lentils in the bowl were mush and unrecognisable by the end, but the vegies in the varoma were a little underdone. it was a bit of a nothing taste (not tasteless but just a generic flavour rather than a wow i want more flavour)
Score: (out of 5*) 2.5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 03, 2009, 11:44:39 am
I did the Potato & Leek soup tonight as per the recipe in the Everyday Cookbook but threw in a clove of garlic and used 500ml of water instead of 700ml to give it a thicker consistency. It was YUMMO! ;D It will definitely become a regular on the menu now :D


I thought that soup was great, but too salty, so I reduced the amount of stock paste by half.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Ayla on June 03, 2009, 11:59:45 am
Ah! I didn't even realise this was here, thanks Thermomixer :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 05, 2009, 06:06:45 am
Might have to ask MM to do that - it is a Sticky, but maybe it just needs a Bump every now and then !!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 05, 2009, 01:46:23 pm
Good tip for the pumpkin soup out of the Everyday Cookbook.
Chop your pumpkin a bit smaller and don't chop in the  *: before cooking.
Apparently the pumpkin 'bleeds' when chopped and releases something that gives a bitter taste, so the less chopping prior to cooking the better.
So just cut into cubes (I probably do inch sized cubes), cook then puree.

Oh and if a soft skinned pumpkin (like butternut or kent) you can leave the skin on - it puree's up beautifully and lowers the GI. And don't throw away the seeds - throw all that in too!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 06, 2009, 02:18:59 am
Good tip for the pumpkin soup out of the Everyday Cookbook.
Chop your pumpkin a bit smaller and don't chop in the  *: before cooking.
Apparently the pumpkin 'bleeds' when chopped and releases something that gives a bitter taste, so the less chopping prior to cooking the better.

LOL - I was told the opposite by Raymond Capaldi - he grates his pumpkin and only cooks it for a bout 10-15 minutes.

He said to cut it up very small as cooking it for a long time makes it bitter.  ??? ??? :-))

Oh dear - need to see if I can find more info - where did your tip come from I-L-B?   
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 06, 2009, 04:42:09 am
Good tip for the pumpkin soup out of the Everyday Cookbook.
Chop your pumpkin a bit smaller and don't chop in the  *: before cooking.
Apparently the pumpkin 'bleeds' when chopped and releases something that gives a bitter taste, so the less chopping prior to cooking the better.

LOL - I was told the opposite by Raymond Capaldi - he grates his pumpkin and only cooks it for a bout 10-15 minutes.

He said to cut it up very small as cooking it for a long time makes it bitter.  ??? ??? :-))

Oh dear - need to see if I can find more info - where did your tip come from I-L-B?   

Thermomixer my source was JB... would love it if you could clear this up...  ;)
Thanks
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on June 06, 2009, 07:52:42 am
Choc Chip Cookies page 128 Everyday cookbook

Nice recipe this one.  Mine took 15 minutes to cook though but then that may be my oven.  Next time I will pre-sift the dry ingredients ready to just add them through the lid when instructed to do so.  I got 52 cookies from this recipe and it will certainly be on my list of 'do again' recipes.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 09, 2009, 02:06:15 pm
Recipe Name: chocolate chip cookies (not sure of exact name)
Book Name: aussie everyday cookbook
Tweaking details: i had to make a few changes - used raw sugar only, made them gluten free, use white choc chips and rainbow ones.
personally i found these cookies WAY too sweet. they are very much like subway cookies.
Review: just too sweet for me. easy to make though and if you like subway cookies you'll love them
Score: (out of 5*) 3*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 09, 2009, 02:15:26 pm
Recipe Name: Lemony Cake with Passionfruit Icing
Book Name: Brazen's recipe from the Thermomix Aust. website
Tweaking details: just had too cook it a little longer - but that could be my oven as well.
Review: it is a pretty heavy type of cake (perfect for this cold weather) and I was amazed how well the oil, lemon and eggs whipped up together!  It was a huge hit at work!  I wasn't sure how the condensed milk and passionfruit icing would go but worked well. Perhaps a bit too sweet for me.
Score: (out of 5*) 4.5*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 09, 2009, 11:37:31 pm
it takes longer in my oven too, but so does everything lol and i think it would be a bit sweet for me with the icing - it originally came with a sugar syrup on top but i dn't use that either, just the plain cake is plenty sweet enough for me!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 10, 2009, 02:17:32 am
judy, it's definitely my oven! it's the same for any recipe not just thermomix - mine cooks way too hot and once i turn it down i generally have to cook a little longer
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 10, 2009, 05:54:11 am
Just want to put the recipe/test kitchen thing into perspective.  Please bear in mind that Grace has fought to be able to supply Thermomixs here in Australia.  It was all built by her on word of mouth & most of the early consultants had no background in sales, they simply loved their machines & told people about them.  In the past couple of years (as I gather, I have only had mine 12 months) the growth in ownership has been phenomenal & - as you would probably be aware - they have recently moved into much larger premises in Perth with more staff.  It is my understanding that a test kitchen will be built there.  At the risk of making a sweeping statement I don't know that the Western Australians are as pedantic about their food as those of us in the southern & eastern states are (something a little bird told me!) so, it could just be that we are fussier & really putting the TM through it's paces.  Personally I was a hopeless, unsophisticated & resentful cook before my TM.  My everyday cookbook lived in my handbag for the first month so I could plan what we would eat that night & have the ingredients.  Now I LOVE cooking & showing off with the help of "Thelma"  ;D
Having said all that, I agree that there is serious tweaking that needs doing with some recipes.  Why would anyone cook Bolognaise sauce without herbs in it??? ???  I too made the Tomato & Lentil Dahl;
Everyday Cookbook Pg 89 & Vegetarian Cookbook Pg 79
Start with milling cumin & mustard seed, chop carrot in with garlic, ginger & onion then saute. Add coriander in at the end by snipping with kitchen shears...too fiddly to chop this first & take it out.  I used hot chilli powder as it was all I had.  Flavour was wonderful.  Only gripe was that the tomatoes were a bit big & chunky for me - would aim to chop them much smaller - or use diced, canned variety.  Accompanied it with rice cooked in basket with vegies steamed over that.
Minestrone Soup with pasta
[b]Everyday cookbook Pg73
Used tiny pasta can't remember what type but 250g was WAY too much, it came out more like stodgy pasta veggie stew than soup; certainly nothing like the picture!!  Would only put around 50g in in future.  There was also a huge quantity which the dogs enjoyed on day 3 after we had added tuna to it on day 2 ;)

So, the message from this evangelist  ;D is keep on trying & sharing & lets be grateful to Grace Mazur that she had the vision & the guts to put her money where her heart is.  Remember life before TM? Who wants to go back there?????

Apologies for lengthy post............Jane  in Melbourne
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 10, 2009, 06:49:57 am
Me again!!!

One thing I didn't make clear is that Thermomix in Australia is not owned by Vorwerk so Grace Mazur has had to get the whole thing going herself............3 cheers for Grace!!!!!!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: bron on June 10, 2009, 05:40:58 pm
When you say Thermomix is not owned by Vorwerk, how can that be? ??? ???
Am very confused ???
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 10, 2009, 11:20:17 pm
wow i didn't realise she had done it all herself. they are not a very supportive company then are they?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 10, 2009, 11:36:27 pm
judy, it's definitely my oven! it's the same for any recipe not just thermomix - mine cooks way too hot and once i turn it down i generally have to cook a little longer

Same with mine. I usually have it set at about 10C lower than the recipe because it cooks too hot.  We rent at the moment so I'm not going to worry about it too much. :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 10, 2009, 11:40:54 pm
So, the message from this evangelist  ;D is keep on trying & sharing & lets be grateful to Grace Mazur that she had the vision & the guts to put her money where her heart is.  Remember life before TM? Who wants to go back there?????

Apologies for lengthy post............Jane  in Melbourne

Everyone's taste and preference is going to vary.  Perhaps we could view the recipes as a guide to modify for your own tastes  ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 11, 2009, 03:29:01 am
When you say Thermomix is not owned by Vorwerk, how can that be? ??? ???
Am very confused ???

Apologies for confusion.   :-[  Vorwerk manufacture the Thermomix but Thermomix Australia - the company - is not owned by Vorwek.  It took an individual, who was passionate about the machine, to persuade Vorwerk to allow her to distribute them over here.  So, Grace has a licence to distribute them in ANZ.  While they are sold throughout the world via home demonstration every market seems to do things slightly differently.  Grace does get support from Vorwerk but as ILB noted everyone here has different tastes let alone between different countries.  Thats why this forum is so great - we get to share tips & tricks without borders.  I just felt there was disproportionate criticism. I have no idea what the after-sales service is like in other countries - would be interested to find out.  I am happy to include "orphaned" owners in my band that I keep in contact with - especially Melbournians - just let me know. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 03:52:17 am
When you say Thermomix is not owned by Vorwerk, how can that be? ??? ???
Am very confused ???

Thanks JaneZ - just went and hit send with much of what you have said and so cleared the screen.

Thanks for the offer to take on "orphans" too.  You are kind.

I don't want to sound like I'm "bashing" Grace etc.   

The recipe books are improving and testing is being done.  Tenina especially is doing a great job.  I believe that many of the original recipes were included in books without independent testing and that may have led to some "less than wonderful" results. 

I think that this Thread is likely to attract more criticism than praise, but there are Positive reviews. 

Keep smiling Jane, I'm a supporter. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 04:05:20 am

Everyone's taste and preference is going to vary.  Perhaps we could view the recipes as a guide to modify for your own tastes  ;D

Agreed, and same goes for my recipes, but some have just got completely wrong timing etc (the potato rosti springs to mind) and TMX Oz needs to be brave enough (and smart enough) not only to change recipes in the new editions of the cookbooks, but to contact customers and say, "Hey, we have been doing some testing of the recipes and found that we needed to make some adjustments.  Any alterations/amendments can be viewed at a website...  Please contact us if you find any other recipes that you feel can be improved."  

I have the old Everyday cookbook and know that there have been changes made - but nobody has told me what the changes were.  >:( >:(  

It is a new machine in Australia and we expect that there will be mistakes made with recipes etc, but more open communication channels would help.  When I suggested that they set up a Forum on their website last May, I was told that nobody would use it and nobody would send in recipes. ??? ???

PS - JD has stolen my thunder (or grumble) while I was writing.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 11, 2009, 04:33:31 am
I have the old Everyday cookbook and know that there have been changes made - but nobody has told me what the changes were.  >:( >:(  

You're not on your Pat Malone there Jeff!!  

I am waving my white flag now  ;)

I and I am sure other consultants, will keep pushing the barrow. It makes good business sense to listen to your customers after all.  I have set up a monthly email newsletter to my customers to do some of what we are doing here on the forum - give feedback on recipes.  We are looking at having an alternative type of cooking class on the Mornington Penninsula where customers come together to share recipes & hints & tips.........will let you know how it goes once it has happened.

I do have a list of corrections for the Varoma book but short of going through the EDC page by page I don't know what the changes are. :-\

As far as the TM Aus website is concerned I personally think it is sadly lacking.  Is it only in Australia that the recipe books don't always come up to scratch or are there complaints from other corners of the globe??

I guess I never thought to blame the recipes for things going wrong as I have had 30 odd years of blaming myself!!!!!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 05:51:36 am

I am waving my white flag now  ;)


Sorry if you feel that we have beaten you intop submitting - we have our ways (joking)

I have set up a monthly email newsletter to my customers to do some of what we are doing here on the forum - give feedback on recipes.  We are looking at having an alternative type of cooking class on the Mornington Penninsula where customers come together to share recipes & hints & tips.........will let you know how it goes once it has happened.


Would LOVE to be included on your monthly email - you have my email address.  Do you know if Mr Rick('s TMX blog) does something similar?

I have a consultant nearby work and said that I thought she may be able to become my consultant as she is closer.  She said that she may have to work out some sort of deal/trade with my original consultant !!  Hey - unbelievable - I'm a tradable commodity  ;D ;D ;D ;D  ;)  I do have value after all !!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 11, 2009, 06:04:36 am
Grrrrrr - don't know how to partially quote you Thermomixer!!!! (Not that blog literate!)

Think you can pick your own consultant if you know one & you are not being serviced by your original one.  You wouldn't keep going back to the same veterinarian if you got better service from another one would you??!! ;)

As for submitting - I just don't want to always seem like the "political" consultant making a noise down here.  I think what is being done on the forum is fantastic & I keep coming back for inspiration.

Don't know about Rick sending newsletters.............it's up to each consultant to run their own show within reason.  Be warned however, my cooking is definately not up to your level so my newsletters are pretty basic!!!!

If you would like to travel to Mornington for our soiree on June 24th you would be welcomed with open arms ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 06:14:10 am
Grrrrrr - don't know how to partially quote you Thermomixer!!!! (Not that blog literate!)



 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

LOL - I'm not very bl***y literate full stop !!!   :-)) :-))  Is it better to leave it all in one big block with .... between the chopped out bits??  

I was so glad that I found somebody who had started a blog to parasitize !!  I spent days to trying to figure out how it all goes together.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 06:31:31 am
Sorry JaneZ - thought you were saying I'm not very blog literate - and I'm not !!!!!

But I can help you (hopefully) with partial quotes - don't worry, it is easy.

Just hit the QUOTE - button - then all the quote will come up.  You can then remove anything after the first line, but leave in the last line which will say [/quote]

Sorry again - have modified my post to show my complete illiteracy (not yours!!)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: baf65 on June 11, 2009, 07:24:46 am
Im not wanting to start bashing TM here in Aus, I do work for them after all!!!  But I do have to say if you arent happy with any of the recipes in the everyday book dont just say it here in the forum or to your consultant, go straight to Grace.  I do sort of get the'general impression when Ive attended HQ meetings that they think only  'some' of the recipes in the book dont work, and the new edition of the book has been amended for those recipes they thought needed changing - eg reducing the salt in the concentrate, changing the amount of rice in the risotto.
Everyone in here is a fan of the machine but not so much a fan of the book that comes with the machine, which is used as one of the USP of the machine, part of the $1939 cost, so you have to let them know that more improvements are needed in the book.  This forum is great for sharing new recipes but it is never going to be sold as 'coming with your machine'. 
Even if you let your consultant know chances are it will just be ignored by the highers that be
Thats just my opinion!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 11, 2009, 08:22:58 am
Overall I think Grace has done a fantastic job getting Thermomix into Australia and progressing the business this far. As with all business, it needs to grow itself in new ways as does the size of the company (ie. number of sales).  If our needs (as a customer) are not being met whether it be insufficently tested recipes, recipes that aren't inspiring enough to foodies, would like a more regular newslettter etc. Then perhaps we need to take it back directly to TMX HQ.  Passing it back to the conultant who takes it back to the Group Leader, then the Branch Manager before it get's to HQ could be a bit like chinese whispers if it gets that far. 

And if your not getting the service you would like from your consultant, ring them and let them know what you need of them. And there is noting stopping you from gong to another consultant.  :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 08:26:48 am
Hi Ann and Joelene - thanks - I have sent recipes and comments to HQ before Tenina was there and never received acknowledgment !!  

It has changed for the better, but I am not sure what has changed in the new Everyday cookbook, (has the rosti recipe changed ?), but would be reluctant to send in suggestions to anyone other then Tenina.  Poor Tenina.

I don't have Grace's email address and don't think that she should have to deal with the minutia - she has lots of other staff there.

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 11, 2009, 08:33:29 am
if it's anything like tupperware then telling the consultant will achieve nothing as the poor consultant has no influence or power, unless they are someone like josie ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 11, 2009, 09:15:51 am
Hey Thermomixer - yep, and that's included in what I mean by the company needing to grow and develop!  ;)

Personally I can see several of areas that need bringing up to date which would help customers and consultants alike.

We get encouraged to work to set formulas rather than branching out and offering something different to customers.  It seems to be set up mainly for new customers and not the on-going development for current customers.  To those consultants out there that are offering something a bit different with their cooking classes - well done! ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on June 11, 2009, 10:01:07 am
Overall I think Grace has done a fantastic job getting Thermomix into Australia and progressing the business this far. As with all business, it needs to grow itself in new ways as does the size of the company (ie. number of sales).  If our needs (as a customer) are not being met whether it be insufficently tested recipes, recipes that aren't inspiring enough to foodies, would like a more regular newslettter etc. Then perhaps we need to take it back directly to TMX HQ.  Passing it back to the conultant who takes it back to the Group Leader, then the Branch Manager before it get's to HQ could be a bit like chinese whispers if it gets that far. 

And if your not getting the service you would like from your consultant, ring them and let them know what you need of them. And there is noting stopping you from gong to another consultant.  :)


I had a meeting with Grace about 12 months ago, here in Adelaide,  re the Everyday Cookbook where I listed a great many of its failings - not just a few of the recipes - and gave some suggestions of where it could be bettered and made to look less like it has been cobbled together by the Women's Institute.  My belief is that the book needs to be rewritten and republished, but that didin't seem to be on HQ's agenda any time soon.  When I pointed out that the recipes had clearly not been tested she said they had - by the people who sent them in!!
 
Grace has definitley done us all a favour bringing the product to Australia and she is growing the business with loads of solid hard work, but I would love to see someone with a proper 'foodie' background (as opposed to sales) with more of a profile in the company.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on June 11, 2009, 10:01:27 am
.  At the risk of making a sweeping statement I don't know that the Western Australians are as pedantic about their food as those of us in the southern & eastern states are (something a little bird told me!) so, it could just be that we are fussier & really putting the TM through it's paces. 

 :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
My feelings are all hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 10:42:49 am
She meant everyone in WA except you cookie1 (and the other Sandgroppers who have joined this forum !) 

JaneZee is really a very lovely, kind-hearted person who I have known for 10+ years through vet stuff - she would not mean to hurt you.

( need to find out who the little bird was .. )
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 11, 2009, 10:54:36 am
She meant everyone in WA except you cookie1 (and the other Sandgroppers who have joined this forum !) 

JaneZee is really a very lovely, kind-hearted person who I have known for 10+ years through vet stuff - she would not mean to hurt you.

( need to find out who the little bird was .. )

He is so right........about not wanting to hurt you cookie1 - no slurs intended :-[

He's wrong too...........as evidenced by the bags under our eyes & the expanded waistlines I have known you more than 20 years JB......scary huh??

Ornithology is not my strong suit so I couldn't possibly identify the little bird...... :-X

baf65, I-L-B & Amanda are all on the money............plus I note our newest member is actually a GL!!

Hope I have soothed the ruffled feathers - I am not reknowned for "playing nice"!!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 11, 2009, 11:12:01 am

 person who I have known for 10+ years


I didn't think women went past 29 years of age - so I didn't want to blow your cover !!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on June 11, 2009, 02:03:57 pm
 All is forgiven, that little bird obviously doesn't like WA.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 12, 2009, 01:01:33 am
All is forgiven, that little bird obviously doesn't like WA.

Who does ? It is the best place in the world (next to Melbourne)!  :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 12, 2009, 01:33:55 am
I would very happily live in any part of the South-West corner of WA - especially the coast near Margaret River - but just have to stir up those Sandgroppers.  ;)  (and they denied Geelong premierships back in the 90's !!!!!  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( )
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on June 12, 2009, 01:59:35 am
I have only spent a week in WA but thought it was wonderful - including the food. ;D

Similarly JD, the time I have spent in SA was fantastic too.  I wasn't born here - I hail from close to where Caroline W is - & I am most appreciative of being able to live in this wonderful country.  Just wish we had a few more "real" mountains for skiing & the like. ;) Raclette after a long days skiing & hot chocolate on the slopes (lived in French Alps too!) aaahhhhh!

Now awaiting mean Pom retorts  :-))
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on June 12, 2009, 03:26:19 am
I have to agree Aust has so many wonderful places and it is rather true that Sandgropers carry on about anyone over the border. I guess all states in various parts have different types of people, but then that makes us Australia.


Several years ago Thermomixer, (92 or 94) just after we'd "done" Geelong in a Grand final we were in Highton preparing for a visit to my Uncle and in one of the shops there (it may have been one called Geelong Sweat shirts) we were ordered out as DD was wearing West Coast colours. (to stir her great Uncle). We didn't know if we should leave or stay it was a sticky situation. Fortunately we stayed and spent a lot of money buying tops and trakky pants etc that when we came home we couldn't wear as they were so lovely and thick and warm; were too hot for our winters.
Geelong got their revenge on us.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 12, 2009, 04:19:35 am

Several years ago Thermomixer, (92 or 94) just after we'd "done" Geelong in a Grand final

Had to rub it in - yes we were the first team to allow Foreigners to win a flag - and not once but TWICE  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

LOL - after Collingwood lost a final, I was driving up Hoddle Street -(centre of Magpie territory - like Chester Road in Manchester) - with Essendon paraphernalia.  Luckily wasn't lynched.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 12, 2009, 05:13:01 am
haha! i have found it's all competitive within the aussies - until you go overseas, and then we band together lOL same with aussies and NZ'ers ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on June 12, 2009, 07:25:50 am
It is funny isn't it? Sort of like families.  My brothers and I would fight something awful, but if someone else stepped in we would all unite as one.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Tenina on June 12, 2009, 08:32:39 am
OK guys, you have all been busy little forum members on this topic I see...so this is my take on the brief skimming of this thread that I have just done!
If you want recipes to be changed you must email me. We reprint books as needed and in fact have just sent off changes for the Everyday last week...we only changed those that we have info about because as I am sure you can  appreciate, I cannot go through existing stuff when I am so busy with new stuff!
I am working as hard as my little Thermomix will allow (I have 2 plus 4 bowls)
I am aware of existing issues only if they are brought to my attention...and what would be better than a recipe complaint, would be a recipe solution...thanks to some of you for those type emails!
We at HQ are trying, and growing so rapidly that there is minimal time for every task, so please help us to help you by sending me your recipe solutions! It would be much appreciated and maybe not show up for a while, but eventually we will get the fine tuning right and no one will have 'issues' with our recipes!
Don't all email at once though ! You may just scare me off completely! hahaha :P
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 12, 2009, 08:51:08 am
tenina, anyway you could have a feedback form page put on the website? instead of having to email?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 12, 2009, 09:30:12 am
Thanks Tenina - we eagerly await the new book.  Thanks, hope that you don't get inundated with "solutions".

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on June 13, 2009, 11:20:41 pm
Did you use freshly grated Parmesan, gatre your own or buy pre-packaged Parmesan - when we were kids my mother bought some parmesan for the first time (about 40 years ago when it wasn't used much by aussies) and it was definitely off - rancid ? and it stank.

I had some a couple of days ago that was just so sweet and not salty/strong.

We grated our own, from a chunk bought at the supermarket.  It's very salty.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CarolineW on June 13, 2009, 11:48:51 pm
Regarding Grace, many moons ago (2003?) when I got my TM 21 2nd hand in Germany, I was trying to get help to learn about it in English.  I met a dead end in the UK at that time (different people running it then), but Grace truly lived up to her name.  She was wonderful.  She got an English language book out to me very quickly, as I only had a few days left in Australia (Australia didn't have its own one then - it was the British one .  Which I hadn't managed to get from Britain!).  She put me on the mailing list for new recipes, etc - and kept me on it for years, until I forgot to let her know my email was about to change, and so got 'lost' - having not realised that I would lose access to all the emails she had sent me over the years.

She spoke to me personally on the phone, and was so very helpful and kind.  I have never forgotten it, or stopped being grateful to her.  She had nothing to gain, but was so wonderful and supportive.  Hats off to her, and to all she has achieved.  She deserves her success, she is a wonderful lady.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 14, 2009, 02:55:30 am
Recipe: Pasta With Tuna
Cookbook: Everyday Cookbook
Review: In desperation for something quick and easy I made this. It was quiet nice and tasty, however I did reduce the amount of stock concentrate significantly. The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons and I reduced this 2 large teaspoons and that was plenty. Would also add the tuna at the very end next time to.

Will make again, but needs a salad or something else with it.

Rating: 4 stars
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on June 14, 2009, 03:08:49 am
Hi ILB, I am a lover of tuna casseroles so this was one of the first things I made ages ago.  So long ago in fact that I can't remember what it was about it that we didn't like - made a note on the recipe that it was lacking something but it was too early in my TMX career to even think about how to tweak it. We didn't have the tweak & review section back then unfortunately. DH hated it and I haven't attempted it since. I tend not to do something again if it didn't work the first time though so now I just make a batch of bechamel cheese sauce and add a can of tuna and creamed corn to that and if there is any left-over pasta in the fridge, that goes in too. Does anyone else have a favourite, tasty tuna recipe they can share with us.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 14, 2009, 03:30:45 am
Thanks JD.  Yours sounds better. Even the wine in the cookbook recipe seemed to get lost in the flavours.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on June 14, 2009, 07:22:35 am
Gravy page 57 Everyday cookbook.

I have done this as per the recipe and it was quite good but today I think I made an even better one ;) ;)  I blitzed 2 onions and a 120g tomato for 2 seconds on speed 7, added 15g butter and cooked it for 7 minutes 100o, speed 2. Once the roast meat and vegies were cooked, I removed them from the baking dish and kept them warm in the weber. Drained most of the oil, scraped up all the little bits and pieces with the help of a cup of water, added this to the TM bowl along with another 3 cups of water & 50g gravox powder. Cooked 18 minutes varoma, speed 2-3 with some thinly sliced beans in the varoma dish.  It was only when we were eating it that I realised I could have put 1 tbsp TM concentrated vegie stock in there as well but it tasted fine just as it was and there was no salt added either ???  I have frozen small packs of it for future use.  I used to buy those ready made gravies in soft packs which you just heat up but they are relatively expensive and don't taste that good.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 15, 2009, 09:56:57 am
Lemon Cake from the everyday cookbook

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

made them (did patty cakes) with gluten free flour and were soooooo yummo!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 15, 2009, 11:31:01 am
Dh just made the "yummy frittata" from cyndi's book (thanks judy ;))

it was nice, i enjoyed it. he did it slightly differently as you're supposed to slightly cook the eggs in the ovendish before adding the veg etc but we don't have a dish suitable for stove and oven, so just poured the eggs over the veg like usual. i LOVED the feta and pumpkin seeds on top, yum! the kids aren't keen but they are being a bit painful tonight anyway lol

the recipe doesn't make enough for a family our size (5) unless you had bread and salad to go with it - there's none left and i think dh is still hungry. (he added a few extra eggs too, but still wasn't enough)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on June 16, 2009, 03:46:01 am
 I have set up a monthly email newsletter to my customers to do some of what we are doing here on the forum - give feedback on recipes.  We are looking at having an alternative type of cooking class on the Mornington Penninsula where customers come together to share recipes & hints & tips.
I have also set up a montly newsletter for my customers even though I was told not to by head office. Looked to professional and was going to cause confusion apparently. Nevertheless, I think it is important to keep customers updated with tips, hints and recipes and if head office doesnt have time to do a newsletter, I will do it myself regardless.

I also run my cooking classes very differently. They are more of a come and try/interactive cooking class where all customers bring their machines and we make the recipes together. It is a good chance for people to try thermomix before they buy.

Well done!!
An excellent idea to keep customers updated and in the loop.  I only wish that my consultant did it.
I like your idea for cooking classes too.
We have just had a notice for yet another beginners class here in Adelaide.  Sigh.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: kniki on June 22, 2009, 11:13:53 am
Recipe:   Sticky Date Pudding
Cookbook: Everyday Cookbook p157
Review:   I made this as per the recipe, except I used gluten free flour (homemade: 2 parts rice flour, 1 part besan flour, 1 part tapioca flour) and baking powder.  I served it with the caramel sauce and icecream.  It was absolutely fantastic.  I am eating the leftovers tonight and it is still just as good.
Score:  5/5

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: kniki on June 22, 2009, 11:20:12 am
Recipe:    Tomato & Lentil Dahl
Cookbook: Everyday Cookbook p79
Tweaks: I didn't add the coriander or the lime juice as I didn't have any.
Review:   Apart from the slight tweaking I made it as per the recipe, and cooked it for 5 minutes longer.  My husband (NOT normally a dahl-lover) came back for seconds - he added salt but I thought it was delicious as it was.  I served it with thick creamy yoghurt and rice. 
Score:  5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 22, 2009, 11:21:14 am
we had something very similar tonight too! but i just chucked a heap of stuff in and cooked it lol mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: mama_bel on June 26, 2009, 03:46:46 pm
Creamy Tomato & Salami Fettuccine, everyday cookbook page 89.

This is so easy to make.  I substitute 100% of the salami for the same weight in chopped mushrooms (we don't eat salami).  I find that it thickens, the pasta softens to the perfect texture for us, when in the thermoserver for about 5 mins.

We give it 5/5

Mushroom Risotto
, everyday cookbook page 85

It's fine with no parsley and no parmesan and no butter - just as it is!

I use 1100g of water instead of 1000g.  After doing onion and garlic saute, I add all ingredients (incl mushrooms) and cook for 16 mins.  Works fine.

I have used plain medium grain white rice and it's fine.

Another 5/5

Brown Rice Salad, everyday cookbook page 43

This is great.  I did more vegies than suggested, didn't add any tuna/chickpeas/beans) and reduced lemon juice to half a lemon.  I also cooked for 2 mins longer on Varoma temp as the brown rice was still a bit firm for our taste.  Served hot as is, with other dishes, for evening meal.

Score 4/5

Chinese-style Stir Fry Vegetables, everyday cookbook p92

This is so, so fast!  I put my rice cooker on (generally feeding 10 so still use the old rice cooker!) and it takes 25 mins to cook heaps of rice.  While that's happening I cut up the veg and follow this recipe, adding more veg though.  By the time the rice is done, the stir-fry veg are ready to go.  Dinner in under 1/2 hour and I don't have to 'stir' the stir-fry!

This one is 5/5

Chilli Con Carne, everyday cookbook p102

We adapt this to vegetarian, as per suggestion.  But the instructions are then a little confusing as there's no meat and the beans are tinned so pre-cooked.  So the cooking time is way less and there's heaps less steps.  I puree some beans, and add the others to stay whole.  Served with nachos and salad and avocado this is a winner with the kids!

Another 5/5

Bechamel Sauce, everyday cookbook p58

I make this as per recipe, doubled (so add 20% to the time) and it's perfect for our tastes.

Yep, 5/5

Fast Curry, everyday cookbook p96

Vegetarian adaption again - cooks quicker - did the potato for 10 mins, then the veg for only another 8 mins or so.

The good thing about this is that it's fast.  It tasted fine, but I think I'd prefer a more chunky curry - the veg chopped too fine (NB: MY error).  I'm used to a slow-cooked curry, so this was different.

Doing it my way - 3/5 overall but 5/5 for flavour

Boiled eggs - 8 eggs - perfect! 5/5

Pumpkin Soup, everyday cookbook p70

I find this is a bit thin for us, so need to adapt it some more.  It's tasty though (I don't put the sugar in).  I have added curry powder and other herbs and spices.  I have also used the recipe to make a choko soup, with more spices since choko is bland.  It's a good basic recipe to get times and amounts for a simple lunchtime soup.

5/5

Grating cheese - blocks of parmesan or tasty cheddar 5/5

Coleslaw, everyday cookbook p39

Still using store-bought mayo and add a little more.  Red apple works fine too.  I have made this 3 times and it's perfect! 5/5

Porridge, everyday cookbook p36

I double this recipe (6 kids!) and use all milk.  I only prcoess the oats for 2-3 seconds as we don't like it too fine.  I add 20% to the time as I double the ingredients.  I find that it's a little thin, but nice.  We add honey to serve.

Compared to 'normal' porridge 4/5

Phew, I think that's enough feedback for now.

Oh, I have found the meals a little salty.  I wonder if my stock concentrate (from everyday cookbook) is too salty.  When I make my 2nd batch, I'll decide.  We don't normally add salt, but used Massel Chicken-Style and Vegetable stock powders for years...  So I add about half the stock concentrate for now, till I make a new batch to the recipe and decide...

Oh, made the minestrone - texture poor and amounts wrong.  Taste good though!

I do find myself adding a crunch of pepper or pinch of herbs here and there, to the recipes... :)

Should I be emailing all this to someone?  Tenina?  I'm very new at this, only had my TM for about 3 weeks.

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Hannah on June 26, 2009, 10:57:48 pm
Hi Mama Bel

Great work! I also have had great success with the recipes in my everyday cookbook - the hardest part is finding them!  I've been surprised at the amount of criticism the book has received. Obviously we all have different tastes and will give them our individual touches but I think that the majority make an excellent starting place.

I made a list in Word a few weeks ago of all that I'd tried - I must post it some time...
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: kniki on June 27, 2009, 02:26:03 am
Bel, the minestrone recipe is wrong.  I have posted the corrected version here: http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=1027.0
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 27, 2009, 04:39:35 am
Thanks Bel - great work.  Tenina has hopefully seen it, but it would be good to send this with all the positives to her at recipes@thermomix.com.au
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: mama_bel on June 27, 2009, 05:22:31 am
Hi!

I fwd'ed to Tenina. :)

I remembered more I've tried last night so will pop back with more comments soon. :)

Bel
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: marmee on June 27, 2009, 10:06:29 am
If the Everyday cookbook has many recipes that need tweaking, and somebody is listening and modifying the recipes for us - how do we, who have just bought our TMX and the cookbook, see what the changes are so we don't have to stuff up too   ???   I have been through this thread (fabulous - thank you  :-*) but am wondering if there is another medium for people to send in changes that we may not see on this forum?

Bacially - I don't want to miss out, nor have too mnay stuff ups   ;D

Also - if we come up with our own recipe, do we just post it here or do we send it somewhere else?

Ta
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 28, 2009, 10:48:45 am
today i made 2 cakes from the gluten free cookbook - one was a berry cake and the other was the coconut cake on the next page. we weren't all that excited about either and in fact i'm giving the coconut cake away (hopefully mum will like it better than we did).
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on June 28, 2009, 01:30:31 pm
If the Everyday cookbook has many recipes that need tweaking, and somebody is listening and modifying the recipes for us - how do we, who have just bought our TMX and the cookbook, see what the changes are so we don't have to stuff up too   ???   I have been through this thread (fabulous - thank you  :-*) but am wondering if there is another medium for people to send in changes that we may not see on this forum?

Bacially - I don't want to miss out, nor have too mnay stuff ups   ;D

Also - if we come up with our own recipe, do we just post it here or do we send it somewhere else?

Ta

This post from Tenina gives some answers: http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=734.msg8037#msg8037 (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=734.msg8037#msg8037)

Tenina is listening and updating the Everyday cookbook.  Best to send suggestions to tenina@thermomix.com.au or recipes@thermomix.com.au.

Also, post recipes here and send copies to recipes@thermomix.com.au, Tenina is always compiling books.

Good luck and thanks.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 29, 2009, 12:59:33 pm
i wnated to come back and update that the gluten free berry cake is sooooo much nicer the day after you make it! plus it's also dairy free for anyone who needs that (but it's not nut free)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on June 29, 2009, 02:47:15 pm
Thanks for the update Karen. Might have to try that one too :-)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on June 29, 2009, 11:08:40 pm
can't say it's great, it's not a 5/5 but maybe a 3/5 instead of the 2 i would have given it the day before lol
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JaneeZee on July 14, 2009, 04:32:55 pm
Recipe Chicken, Leek and Corn Pie

Cookbook Budget Busters Booklet pg 6

Review Very yummy flavour & plenty of it.  DH went back for thirds!  If you prefer your leeks softer you might have to cook filling a bit longer.  Less budget version would be to use 1 large leek & more chicken - depends on the balance you prefer.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on July 17, 2009, 09:13:45 am
Beef Stew with Buttermilk Dumplings

Book: Budget Busters

Comment

We found the stew fairly basic, but I felt that was fine as you can use this recipe to build on. The dumplings were really lovely. I especially liked the fact that you could make them and leave them in the Varoma until you were ready to cook them. I always thought dumplings had to be cooked immediately.
I put other vegetables between the dumplings and the meal was complete.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ~Narelle~ on July 21, 2009, 01:44:39 am
I just wanted to say thanks for the reviews.  This is a great thread for a newbie as a place to start.  I have been through and written a list of things to try once our TMX arrives.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on July 21, 2009, 10:46:35 am
Recipe Name: Potato Curry
Book Name: A Taste of Vegetarian, p 76
Tweaking details: Very very mild curry (so you might want more spices if you're not into mild*)
If you are someone who doesn't read the full recipe before starting you are likely to totally miss the instructions to put the beans in the varoma and cook while the other vegies cook, as it comes after the cooking instructions. (sigh, and when i added 5 mins to the cooking time to cook my spinach the other vegies disintegrated :()
one thing i find very annoying in most thermomix recipes is when they say 'cubed' but no indication of size. in this case i did approx 2cm cubes which were perfect (until i added cooking time)
Review: the nigella seeds were yummy but the curry was a bit boring* for me and the messup with the cooking instructions frustrating.
Score: (out of 5*) 2.5

* I think i was meant to add 2 tablespoons of curry powder and added 2 teaspoons :-\
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on July 30, 2009, 12:53:50 pm
Recipe Name: Rice Pudding
Book Name: Everyday Cookbook
Tweaking details: added a few sprinkles of nutmeg
had to turn the speed up to 3/3.5 at the end to mix the eggs, sugar etc through
served with banana and maple syrup (if you're going to serve with syrup you could lower the sugar to 50 or 40g)
Review: DELICIOUS!!!!  will definitely do this again!
Score: (out of 5*) 4

PS: it often helps when cooking to TURN THE BLOODY HEAT ON!!!  :-)) ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on July 30, 2009, 02:33:14 pm

PS: it often helps when cooking to TURN THE BLOODY HEAT ON!!!  :-)) ;D

Good luck with demonstrating  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on July 31, 2009, 12:09:54 am
yeah thanks for that thermomixer  :-[ :P
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 01, 2009, 11:54:05 am
Recipe Name: Chicken & Cashews
Book Name: Not sure - Everyday Cookbook? (it's one of the Varoma demo ones)
Tweaking details: needed just a tad more tamari and sesame oil and maybe a little ginger
Review: DELICIOUS!!!!  will definitely do this again! soooo fresh and health and quick too
Score: (out of 5*) 4
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 01, 2009, 01:38:18 pm
Hi Brazen - yes it is out of the EDC.
Though I have found that it doesn't freeze that well (or should I say isn't that nice re-heated after freezing).
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 01, 2009, 01:43:14 pm
no, i can't imagine it freezing all that well
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 01, 2009, 01:46:29 pm
Disgusting actually. I ended up throwing it out.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on August 03, 2009, 12:54:26 pm
My daughter made the buttermilk scones from the Everyday book - they were fantastic, perfectly light and delicious!
Wouldn't change a thing.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on August 03, 2009, 01:51:58 pm
Recipe Name:  Gnocchi

Book Name: Everyday cookbook

Tweaking Details
I didn't change this recipe at all. I did add the optional egg. I also cooked my potatoes in a saucepan on the hotplates, and then followed the TMX instructions.
Review
Very tasty, as good as any gnocchi I have made before. I found it great to be able to  do all the mixing and kneading in the bowl. One thing I did discover though was that the machine will not knead if the temperature in the bowl is over 60 degrees. Therefore I had to let the mixture cool a bit before I could knead it.
Score  4 out of 5

How cooked are your potatoes Cookie??  Are they still very firm or falling apart easily?  I seem to always end up with "glue" gnocci when I follow the EDC recipe and steam the potatoes in the varoma.  I am guessing they are overcooked or overprocessed.
Chelsea  :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on August 04, 2009, 01:50:53 am
Nico Moretti agrees with you Chelsea - they don't work with that recipe.

You need to keep them as dry as possible, so best to cook them whole with skins on.  Have been meaning to try doing gnocchi somehow in the TMX.  Worry that it may always end in glue.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 04, 2009, 06:41:24 am
The first lot of gnocchi I made I cooked the potatoes on the stove. The second in the Varoma and they were fine, the next lot were pumpkin gnocchi and I had to add quite a bit of flour (these were cooked in the varoma too) but I put it down to the pumpkin being watery-maybe it was the potatoes too.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: alioop on August 04, 2009, 08:52:19 am
Recipe Name: Anzac Biscuits
Book Name: Everyday Cooking p. 127
Tweaking Details:  The coobook uses Golden Syrup in the recipe whereas my 'ol favourite' has a combo of honey and treacle. (not sure why it makes such a big difference to the taste as I believe that GS and Treacle are both from cane sugar!) I like the latter flavour better and the family devour them!  My old recipe (think it was from a Woman's mag) has 200g butter, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tblsp treacle, 1tsp bicarb dissolved in 1/3 cup boiled water, 2 cups plain flour,2 cups rolled oats, 1 or 2 cups of castor sugar (adjust to taste), 1.5 cups coconut.  Similar method - melting butter and honey/treacle, adding bicarb and water, then dry ingredients.  This makes a bit more mix than in the book I think, so I was carefull to only mix until combined as the blades did have to work hard.  Bake in 150 degree oven for approx 20 min (softish/chewy) or longer for crunchy.  Gives a fairly flat shape when cooled also.  You could probably just substitute the Golden Syrup in the recipe book for a honey/treacle combo to your taste.  You can also grind up a multitude of different healthy nuts/seeds beforehand to add to the mix and hey 'hide' really well! 
Review: always a winner and not just for Anzac Day
Score: 4/5 (with treacle and honey)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: faffa_70 on August 04, 2009, 08:56:19 am
LSA hides really well in ANZAC biscuits  ;D ;D ;D ;D shhh don't say it too loud, mine haven't worked it out yet :-X
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: alioop on August 04, 2009, 09:02:05 am
llol .....Sounds like we are on the same mission Faffa 70  ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on August 04, 2009, 10:18:47 am
LSA hides really well in ANZAC biscuits  ;D ;D ;D ;D shhh don't say it too loud, mine haven't worked it out yet :-X

is that COS ??
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 04, 2009, 10:38:47 am
Recipe Name: Herb Bread
Book Name: Healthy Eating withCyndi O'Meara
Details
I made this exactly as Cyndi did, using whole grain rye. It turned out just right.  It doesn't have a tough crust. It was lovely and soft and seemed a perfect texture to me.
Score:   5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 04, 2009, 10:49:16 am
re gnocchi - i bake my potatoes
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 04, 2009, 10:50:39 am
we like the anzacs in the EDC but IMO they are nothing like regular anzacs, more like an ordinary butter type cookie
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Ceejay on August 04, 2009, 11:39:52 am
Made the Cauliflower soup in the EDC again today and added 2 onions quartered with the cauli.. gave a nicer depth of flavour.  Might even try a clove of garlic or two...

And for the Pumpkin soup, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste with the stock.. and you guessed it.. 3 cloves of garlic with the onion at the start. LOL
 ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ~Narelle~ on August 08, 2009, 11:01:39 am
I made the Potato Rosti from the EDC today.  Was OK but really more like potato pikelets.  Next time I will blitz half the potato and add it at the end as there was absolutely no texture in them at all.  I added some grated cheese but they were relatively tasteless.  The pan needs to be very hot to get a nice crunch and it does make a lot.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on August 08, 2009, 11:51:17 am
Narelle I use 3 potatoes, cut into 4 and blitzed for 2 seconds on speed 5.  Mix in an egg, S & P on reverse speed 2 for a few seconds until combined.  These have much more texture than those in the EDC - I don't add flour either.  We had lots of conversations on this particular recipe in the early days as no-one seemed to like them.  This way they have much more texture and are close to the grated version we called mock fish.  Makes 6 cakes.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ~Narelle~ on August 08, 2009, 12:25:24 pm
Quote
Narelle I use 3 potatoes, cut into 4 and blitzed for 2 seconds on speed 5.  Mix in an egg, S & P on reverse speed 2 for a few seconds until combined.  These have much more texture than those in the EDC - I don't add flour either.  We had lots of conversations on this particular recipe in the early days as no-one seemed to like them.  This way they have much more texture and are close to the grated version we called mock fish.  Makes 6 cakes

Thanks Judy, I will try it that way.  Sounds much better.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on August 08, 2009, 03:55:58 pm
Brazen may have more to say - her DH followed the recipe in the old EDC book with bad results.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 08, 2009, 03:58:50 pm
and that's about all i'd have to say LOL
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 21, 2009, 07:44:58 am
Five Seed Bread
replacing the Cape Seed Bread in the book.

This makes quite a large 'piece' of bread. I put it in a 20cm square tin but as it was rising I put it in a larger tin. Next time I will make it in a true bread tin. I didn't have any poppy seeds so used extra of the other seeds.
The mixture was quite sloppy, but the cooked bread texture is nice.

I don't like most grain/seed breads as I find the grains far too hard for my crappy teeth. The seeds in this are lovely and soft.  It has a good crust on the finished bread.

I didn't cook it quite as long as suggested but I usually find this happens with my oven.

All in all we enjoyed this bread and I will definitely make it again. 

5/5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 21, 2009, 01:48:29 pm
I made the 5 seed loaf as well today.

For 2 tsp of yeast, I actually used 2 sachets. I was also short on one of the seeds - sesame, and also made up the qty with other seeds.  The dough was left to rise for just over an hour with a bread mat over the top to stop it drying out - but this was too long. It had spilled out over the sides  and made a mess on my bench. It still cooked up lovely, and I think it was shy of the time suggested to cook also (but I didn't actually time it  ??? ). Still it came out beautifully and a really nice texture too. Much better than how my Cape Seed Bread had been turning out lately.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 22, 2009, 05:32:44 am
I made the Banana and Blueberry Bread from the GFWF book.

it's very nice!!!! i like it a lot! pretty close to my ideal banana bread!

i did make some changes though - i put in a little less honey, a little less banana (i'd already put in 5 lol), and a little more flour to replace the milk powder. plus i had the "leftovers" from my rice milk to put in it.

it makes a BIG loaf.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JulieO on August 22, 2009, 07:51:27 am
I too made the 5 seed bread today.  I didn't have any linseeds so used a mix I had called LSA which has ground linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds in it.  I used 2 tsp yeast and put the dough into a 23cm square, deep tin to prove.

I was thrilled with how this turned out and tasted.  I am going to buy a proper loaf tin because this would be really lovely as a regular shaped loaf, beautiful for salad sandwiches.

How quick does the TM knead the dough.  Very impressed.  ;D

(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii26/ragdoll128/Sweet/Savoury/bread036.jpg)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on August 22, 2009, 09:27:41 am
Impressive - a winner
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 22, 2009, 10:18:56 am
Glad to see everyone's thoughts on the 5 Seed Bread. We really enjoyed ours. I went to try and buy a proper bread tin today but couldn't. I ended up putting mine into a 10 inch round tin. If I can't get a bread tin I'll probably make it in a couple of loaf tins.
Judy, a baking dish would probably be fine.

I'll still keep making the Cape Seed bread as we love that too.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on August 22, 2009, 10:53:59 am
I made the Lemon Butter from the original EDC book today.
It is very nice, but next time, instead of 2 whole eggs I might try 1  whole egg and 2 yolks.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 22, 2009, 02:26:21 pm
Re the Bread Tins - I ended up purchasing mine from www.snk.com.au (Simply No Knead) who supply bread making mixes, tins etc. Had no luck purchasing them in town here - even gave one store the company name and still ended up with no luck.  The 5 Seed Bread would take the 700g tin, while the Cape Seed Bread recipe would fit into a 500 or 600g tin.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on August 22, 2009, 02:32:44 pm
I also made this bread today.  Put it in my roaster but that was probably a little too wide.  Ended up measuring 20cm wide x 6 cm high.  I was a bit worried about all the seeds that went in there but it was very nice indeed.  Had a slice whilst still hot with my banana jam & cream and the rest has gone into the freezer.  What is the actual measurement of a loaf tin?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JulieO on August 22, 2009, 02:42:57 pm
ILB, thankyou for that link.  Have emailed them to get a price plus postage for the 700g tin.  I can't buy one locally either, but I can see one would be really handy.  Hopefully I'll hear back early next week.   :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 22, 2009, 02:56:21 pm
JD, the 700g tin measures W11cm x L27cm x H10.5cm, 500g tin measures W11cm x L17cm x H10.5cm. I don't have a 600g one (wish I did) but would expect that it would be W11cm x L22cm x H10.5cm.

They are the good old heavy ones like my Grandmother has had for ever!

From memory I ordered 2 of the 700g ones and they cost about $30 each.  Postage must have been around $10 for them both.

My second one is for gluten free bread as I have had some customers who are extremely sensitive to cross contamination - so perfer to be safe than sorry!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 22, 2009, 03:15:45 pm
It's not work JD - it's my hobby  ;) ;D
But I am off to bed now. Take care.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 23, 2009, 09:01:16 am
Thanks for that ILB. I'm going to see an elderly friend next week and she used to make all her bread. So I'm going to ask her if I can buy her bread tins from her as she doesn't do it anymore. Hopefully none of the grand kids have them or great grandkids.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 28, 2009, 07:48:53 am
I made the Beef Curry from the calendar last night. I only made a half quantity as there is only the 3 of us and the freezer is bulging at the seams.
I made it exactly as stated and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Next time I'll do the full quantity and try to fit some in the freezer.  We'll have to have a couple of 'eat the freezer out' days.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: mama_bel on August 28, 2009, 02:01:24 pm
You two need to do a menu plan from the freezer - have a week off cooking!  Just serve with some fresh salad or steamed veg, perhaps some bread and you'll be set.

I got 4 new cookbooks!  I am looking forward to testing new recipes when I have more time!  Now I have EDC, Vegetarian, Cyndi's, Varoma, Rawlicious (looks good!), Lunch Box/After School, Entertaining with Nico, Budget Busters...  And I heard there's more coming. :)

Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on August 29, 2009, 03:30:13 am
Good idea mama bel - tomorrow I will do an inventory and take it from there. 
Well, true to my word I have this morning done my inventory and found I have enough meat for 19 meals and 6 ready to go meals.  Far too many for just 2 people :D :D :D  Foodland is just around the corner so there is no need to carry such large stocks but I have never been one to be able to resist buying meat on special - hate paying full price for it. I would like to make some cakes, cookie mixture etc to freeze for pop-in visitors but there just isn't the room for them at the moment so I will endeavour to get this lot eaten over the next few weeks.  I have already matched certain items on my list with other bits and pieces I want to get rid of so if I can stick to that plan, I should see some results very soon. Made enough food yesterday for the whole weekend so the 'attack the freezer' plan will start on Monday. Might make some cookies today though. Thanks for motivating me mama bel - it's amazing how one little comment can get you going in the right direction  :-* :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 29, 2009, 05:31:54 am
Oh dear, I'd better have a bit of a look in that big cold thing that eats food.  :'( :'( 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on August 29, 2009, 05:45:46 am
Come on Cookie1, if I can do it you certainly can.  It actually was a fun exercise and think of the money I will save in the next couple of weeks  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: JulieO on August 29, 2009, 05:54:12 am
Cookie, it is a very good idea.  I do this every 3 months (end March, June, Sept & Dec) and do like JudyD did (go through freezers and write down what's in there, then plan meals accordingly).  It means that for those 3 weeks or so, my grocery bill is quite low plus I then know that nothing in my freezers is more than 3 months old. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Katya on August 29, 2009, 01:11:17 pm
I got so fed up with forgetting what was in the freezer that I  have done an Excel spreadsheet, listing everything drawer by drawer, including the date it was added.   Now when I take something out, I cross it off the list and, similarly, when I add something, I write it on the list.   I then periodically update the spreadsheet and print out a new copy.

No more surprises now, which iis, probably,  a good thing ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on August 29, 2009, 01:15:28 pm
gosh you guys are good! i always forget to label my containers and am too scard to eat them lol
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on August 29, 2009, 01:58:27 pm
I put together an Excel spreadsheet and kept it up to date for a couple of months.  Then I wnet crazy one weekend and cooked and cooked and cooked and put lots of bags and containers in without putting them on the spreadsheet.

Tomorrow I plan to audit my spreadsheet.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 29, 2009, 02:43:42 pm
Have to scrape my bottom jaw from the floor in amazement at your organisation everyone  :o :o  - I have a lot to learn   :-)) :-* 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: faffa_70 on August 29, 2009, 03:28:49 pm
I am with you ILB... Thought I was somewhat organised  :o :o but nooooooo not even somewhat lol
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Katya on August 29, 2009, 04:20:20 pm
Don't be fooled by my only success at organisation.  You should see the state of the rest of my life - the only certainity in my life is what is in my freezer.   Heck, I'm not even that good at keeping such a close eye on my bank account  :o - although with online banking it is a lot easier.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on August 30, 2009, 04:50:26 am
I actually keep a record of what meat I have in the freezer so that I can use it up. I did have a record of the rest of the food too but it kind of got mucked up when we were away in May and I haven't fixed it. I did go and arrange the food in the freezer onto relevant shelves/trays, now I had better get off my ........................ and go and list it. :-))
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on August 30, 2009, 06:29:26 am
Goodness - such organisation!!
I, like Karen, frequently forget to label containers in the freezer.
consequently we periodically have 'surprise' meals!!  I pull something out and it is a surprise to all of us until it thaws enough to be recognisable. :o ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: mama_bel on August 30, 2009, 01:15:10 pm
Good going with the freezer depletion!  I love having "use-it-up weeks" where we eat from the fridge, freezer, pantry and garden as much as possible.  It sure saves time and money and wastage!

I have some masking tape and a pen with my freezer containers now.  It's the best label system I've found so far (peels right off, but not before you want it to).  I label the meals "pasta sauce with veg 08/09" for example.  When I put it away, I pull other meals forward and hide the newer ones behind.

We've gone a bit off-topic here. Oops!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on August 31, 2009, 05:23:10 am
You have all inspired me to get my freezer organised.  I went through yesterday and had a big clean out.  I made a list of everything that needed to be eaten soon and am going to plan around that.  I don't have a lot of meals but have lots of meat that needs to be used.  There are 4 large corned silversides that my Uncle gave me and I have been avoiding.  One each week for the next month I guess  :'( :'( :'(
Chelsea  :)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on August 31, 2009, 02:58:38 pm
Mine is daunting - 90% lamb.... so when I get my act together I should have a whole heap of recipes to submit to the forum all about lamb...  ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: trudy on September 08, 2009, 04:39:34 am
Can't wait,. we love lamb in this house!!!

Trudy
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on September 18, 2009, 04:09:45 am
Chicken and Cashews
EDC page 107

I made this exactly as the recipe. I found the sauce a little bland-possibly I didn't put enough soy in it. To liven it up a bit I stirred some sweet chilli sauce through it.

4/5   Will make it again.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: faffa_70 on September 18, 2009, 02:08:48 pm
We love this recipe, I halve the sherry and up the soy  ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: brazen20au on September 18, 2009, 02:21:37 pm
i double or triple the sherry and the soy  :D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Amanda on September 28, 2009, 08:08:36 am
Lemon Cupcakes - September recipe in calendar.
Please note that these require lemon butter - not mentioned in the list of ingredients.

Ooops!
Note to self - read more carefully. :-))
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on September 28, 2009, 01:07:42 pm
Thanks for that Amanda. A good point to know before hand.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on September 28, 2009, 01:16:03 pm
Thanks Amanda. Good point. I had thought that when I looked at the recipe the other day.  :-)) ???
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ThermyLover on November 25, 2009, 10:21:42 am
That was a great review of the Strawberry tart Amanda - even though the recipe was very hard to work through, you stuck at it.  I didn't buy the calendar for this very reason, the recipe books etc suck! This is what I find most disappointing with my purchase of the Thermomixer - the recipe books, not the machine itself.

I wholeheartedly AGREE!!! Most of the recipes suck and are too watery or are too flavourless. But the upside is that I'm learning a lot more about which herbs and spices can improve certain dishes! I LOVE my TM & really would love it if Women's Weekly got on board and did a book!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on November 25, 2009, 11:47:56 am
Welcome to the forum Ange.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on November 25, 2009, 11:20:11 pm
Welcome Ange - think I have sorted out your post above - may have made it worse?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: sarah.j on April 16, 2010, 02:25:50 pm
I don't like custard made with flour (as per the TM everyday cookbook). I use cornflour instead. The flour is very overpowering in flavour.
Custard/Creme Patissere...When I do a demo I use zest 1 lemon with 25g cornflour, mix for 20secs sp 9. Then add 550g milk, 2 eggs, 50g sugar. Then cook for 6min, 90deg, sp 4. It pours out as a beautiful custard everytime.
Sugar is a wet product & cornflour is dry so you should get a finer result if you swap the two over like this. Also instead of lemon you can use a whole vanilla bean, or orange zest etc.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 16, 2010, 02:41:45 pm
Thanks Sarah, will try that method next time.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: sarah.j on April 16, 2010, 02:55:20 pm
Thank goodness you responded, I had no idea if I had put this in the right spot! Also I read somewhere that you fell on your sword to taste the Midori recipe for us all..Goodwork, as soon as I find (hiccup ;D) my banana daiquiri recipe that will be posted for the 'good of all' also.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: CreamPuff63 on April 16, 2010, 04:03:51 pm
SJ I find the EDC is quite a "fixed" product,  is yours of pouring consistency?
Quote from: sarah.j It pours out as a beautiful custard everytime.
[/quote
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 17, 2010, 12:46:09 am
Look forward to your banana daiquiri recipe sarahJ - something different.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: containergirl on April 17, 2010, 03:21:47 am
What great info there is here. 

I think the index needs improved cross referencing of ingredients. 

For instance a friend had made rhubarb with apple and strawberries and it was so divine I scurried home to look up the recipe.  There was nothing under rhubarb, so I looked in fruit and desserts still nothing....why didn't I think to look under stewed!    :-))

I've found this has been a problem with the listing of a few recipes. 

I've since scurried to the gardening books to discover that we cant grow rhubarb up here in Townsville.....it was like a weed in the back yard in Melbourne when I was a kid.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on April 17, 2010, 03:33:27 am
Are you talking about the forum recipes or the EDC Containergirl?  I certainly have trouble finding things in the EDC so have made a list of recipes I need on the blank page at the end of the book as it is easier to browse down that list than the index.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 17, 2010, 09:13:49 am
I find the EDC hard to locate recipes in, even after 18 months. I now have those post-its that stick out, in mine for favourite things. They are rather dog eared but it makes finding things easier.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Russell on April 17, 2010, 11:58:41 am
I find the EDC hard to locate recipes in, even after 18 months. I now have those post-its that stick out, in mine for favourite things. They are rather dog eared but it makes finding things easier.

Funny cookie, we're doing the same thing, although ours are only a week old. The FAILSAFE Cookbook is even worse. Thank goodness I'll be putting them into Living Cookbook, where they will be only a few keystrokes away :)

Russell.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: achookwoman on April 17, 2010, 12:13:35 pm
I mark the recipes , that I have tried and like,  with a X n the index.         
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: sarah.j on April 17, 2010, 02:07:18 pm
SJ I find the EDC is quite a "fixed" product,  is yours of pouring consistency?

It most definitely does. I have used all types of milk from full cream, skim, soy, etc and that doesn't affect it either.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: UYaz on April 18, 2010, 03:19:58 am
Hi everyone,
I've had my TM now for a few weeks and it's completely changed the way our family shops, cooks, bakes and eats. I just love it. Anyway here are a few of the tweeks I've been making to the Everyday Cooking recipes. (I'm not scoring them, because they're all 5/5 in my mind hehehe).

Recipe Name: Ginger Beer
Book Name: Everyday Cooking for Every Family p.26
Tweaking details: I know this is really a "personal taste" type recipe, but just FYI I use 200 grams of sugar and only 120 grams of ginger.
Review: My husband loves this (he used to be hooked on the store-bought stuff) and now I know why it's called "ginger beer" (if you make it you'll see too).

Recipe Name: Porridge
Book Name: Everyday Cooking for Every Family p.36
Tweaking details: For a single serve this is how I make it.
Ingredients: 70g rolled oats; 410g milk, pinch salt
Method: Place oats in TM bowl & pulverise 5 secs / 8
Take the bowl off the engine and give it a good shake, or get the spatula and stir around to 'loosen' the oats.
Add liquid and salt and cook for 9 mins at 100C on Reverse 1.5 speed (NOT speed soft).
Transfer to bowls and eat (with optional sultanas and spoon of sugar).
Review: If you don't loosen the oats after milling them, I find you end up with uncooked pockets of oats at the bottom, and watery oats elsewhere).

Recipe Name: Bolognaise Sauce (Ragu)
Book Name: Everyday Cooking for Every Family p.64
Tweaking details: We are Muslim and eat halal so we drop the Pancetta (although you could use fakin' bacon I guess) and red wine. Instead of the wine I add 50g water mixed with 1tbsp of TM stock.
Instead of tomato puree I just add a can of diced tomatoes
Must add herbs: a pinch each of sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil. If using dried herbs put in at the point in which you add tomato ingredients. If using fresh herbs, about three minutes from the end seems to do it.
Instead of putting the MC lid on an incline, my consultant taught me a trick of putting the steamer/strainer basket on top instead of the MC lid.
Review: This is soooooooo yummy when you add the herbs to give it flavour.

Recipe Name: Apricot Chicken Risotto Style
Book Name: Everyday Cooking for Every Family p.86
Tweaking details: Only a little change here. If you are diabetic and are trying to avoid High GI foods, I suggest swapping 200g of Doongarra Rice (instead of 300g Arborio). You still get that risotto type feel and I find 200g is plenty for this recipe.
Review: This was quite sweet with the apricot nectar so I wouldn't make it that often as a diabetic. I am not sure whether the rest of the ingredients lowers the GI enough. But anyhoo....
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cookie1 on April 18, 2010, 08:52:34 am
Sarahj if I want custard that is of pouring consistency I just reduce the flour/cornflour. Even in a 'normal' custard I use 10g less than specified.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: meganjane on April 24, 2010, 05:51:13 am
I've trawled through the 17 pages of this thread and noted all tweaks and better recipes for Tenina's new edition EDC.
Keep 'em coming!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cathy79 on April 24, 2010, 09:30:13 am
I've trawled through the 17 pages of this thread and noted all tweaks and better recipes for Tenina's new edition EDC.
Keep 'em coming!
You're a legend MJ.  Hope you're getting a free book out of this  :-* :-*
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on April 24, 2010, 09:44:32 am
Yes I think a free book is definitely deserved.  What do you think Tenina??  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: meganjane on April 24, 2010, 01:56:59 pm
Yes, Tenina has promised a free book.
Not that I'm doing it for a free anything. I just want to make sure that the TMX is presented in the best light, marketed really well, and that means a very good recipe book.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Thermomixer on April 25, 2010, 02:49:03 pm
Good work MJ - you'll possibly be able to write the book  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: keffirgirl on April 30, 2010, 02:40:50 am
Gluten free book
 sesame slice

 hi there this didn't work out for me. It doesn't gel, just stays as a dry mixture.

can you tell me what is missing from it?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: meganjane on April 30, 2010, 01:48:33 pm
Sounds like it needs more butter. I'd add 1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butter.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Toni on June 20, 2010, 05:24:10 am
I just made the potato cakes (rosti) from the EDC. I made them with half potato and and half orange sweet potato. I also added a red onion, lemon zest, lemon juice, fennel fronds, s&p, 1 egg and 4ogms cornflour. I minced at speed 6 for 5 secs. This left them still with a chunky texture. (I actually put sardines mixed with TM mayo and toasted pine nuts and extra lemon as a topping for the cooked cakes but light sour cream would be good too!)
They were so delicious  - a little sweet due to the sweet potato -and had a really nice texture, and I wonder if they could be adapted as a base for a dessert style dish?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: janeeknits on September 21, 2010, 09:53:02 am
So when is the new edition of EDC coming out? I'm really disappointed with the errors I have to say and some have been really embarrassing like when I tried to make porridge for my Dad following the recipe - we got luke warm soup.  He went to work with no breakfast whilst a quick search on here allowed me to get a terrific result in the end but he didn't see that.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Toni on September 22, 2010, 02:43:51 am
Yes, it's hard to 'uncreate' a bad impression. There is little evaporation so liquids do need to be limited - without causing sticking.
You may have found organic rolled oats more suitable by the way. Did you use quick oats?
Also, has anyone tried the gluten free coconut cake - it is dreadful - I think there must be a misprint. It is solid and tastes of bicarb. Unfortunately I made it twice as I forgot to mark it in the book.
Also, when I recently dropped some books off to a client he remarked that the books have a cheap presentation and do not really reflect the special quality of the machine. What do you think?
I've got my grumbles off my chest - I couldn't live without my wonderful TM and I want all aspects to be top class!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: janeeknits on September 22, 2010, 04:57:53 am
Yes, it's hard to 'uncreate' a bad impression. There is little evaporation so liquids do need to be limited - without causing sticking.
You may have found organic rolled oats more suitable by the way. Did you use quick oats?

Actually we used actual oats that my dad freshly rolled in his grain mill.  These were chopped as per the porridge instructions and soaked overnight in water.

The problem was the instructions which say 8-9 minutes 90 degrees reverse speed soft - it wasn't long enough or hot enough or fast enough to do anything but produce lukewarm soup.

In the end I did about 6 mins at 100 degrees speed 1.5 and it produced a beautiful creamy result but that was a lucky guess.

These are seriously BASIC functions - I wouldn't call the correct settings to cook porridge a recipe and yet they are totally wrong.

The other one that really makes me angry is the instruction to chop onions carrots etc for 5 seconds on speed 7 - its total mush.  From experience I now do 3 secs on speed 5 for a nice fine chop.  But when you've just dropped nearly $2K on a bit of kitchen kit you expect the instructions for the basics to be accurate.

I've obviously got the old book which is sad
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Toni on September 22, 2010, 05:51:25 am
Yes, some things are surprizing - like the lack of consistency in the way recipes are listed in the index.
I gather the reason some of the recipes seem to be overprocessed is that they have been taken straight from the European books - these cultures have the habit of overcooking vegetables according to our modern palate - as a matter of course, I do just about less of everything - that includes less sugar and less time. I usually find the seafood recipes need alot less time. It's easier to add a couple of minutes if not satisfied.
I think that the soaking of the oats means that they need less time to cook. I don't think the TM recipe book is referring to soaked oats. I prefer them soaked too and it certainly reduces the cooking time - less cooking time = less evaporation time too = add less liquid.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: cathy79 on September 22, 2010, 07:54:08 am
Hi Janeeknits - I was wondering whether freshly milled oats might have a different texture to bought rolled oats, and maybe that accounts for the "soup" result?  I don't grind or soak my rolled oats at all, as I like a bit of texture, but have found that 90 degrees reverse and speed soft always get a good result.  I think the time can vary dependent on how cooked you like your oats, and perhaps even the original temperature of the liquid?

Hope you start having some more positive experiences. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ronvw on October 21, 2010, 04:35:04 am
Chicken and Cashews
EDC page 107

I made this exactly as the recipe. I found the sauce a little bland-possibly I didn't put enough soy in it. To liven it up a bit I stirred some sweet chilli sauce through it.

4/5   Will make it again.

Thanks Cookie1, I cooked this last night and was not happy with the sauce, Will do a rerun tonight with the left overs and some more chicken.
This time I'm using an old favourite chicken marinade, Soy sauce, honey, vinegar,  brown sugar. Regards Ron
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: naz on November 08, 2010, 12:52:48 pm
Roulade of Spinach from GFCB
I made this tonight.....yes i like a challenge!! I think there is way too much oil as I had oil everywhere when I turned it out onto the damp teatowel. The recipe said 200g....I wonder if it should've read 20g? Anyway, next time I will put a heap less in it & see if there is much difference. It cooked well & rolled well but I got a bit impatient so unrolled it too soon while it was still a bit hot & it broke up a bit. Will know for next time.
Was a little bland tasting even though I added a touch of curry powder & parsley to the cream filling. Maybe some lemon pepper seasoning....it needs something else anyway so will have to play with that one.
All up I would rate it about 3 as it was fairly straight forward to make, just needs those tweaks applied. Served it up with a fresh tossed salad. Would be very impressive for a dinner party if we could improve the flavour!
Would love to hear from anyone else who has made it. (did do a search but nothing came up)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Patricia on December 06, 2010, 05:14:43 am
Hi
I wanted to make plum jam - but the Everyday TM book is pretty vague. At what point do you take the stones out of the plums? I've resorted to using my CWA Cookbook for the time being, but I'm sure I could have used the TM.

Patricia
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on December 06, 2010, 05:40:45 am
Patricia, up the top where it says 1kg plums, it tells you in brackets to wash & remove the stones. My EDC is the May 2008 edition.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Patricia on December 06, 2010, 08:19:58 am
Hi Judy

thanks for the reply. It doesn't say anything about the stones in my book (Jan 2009). In brackets is says (any red variety, washed) which wasn't particularly helpful. I'm not very confident in adapting things to the TM.

thanks again

Patricia
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: NatMc on December 08, 2010, 11:54:04 pm
I have made the strawberry tart twice now in small sizes and a large 24cm flan and both times have had rave reviews. I do agree with the gel it is way too much cornflour and looks like glue. I just added more liquid so i could use a pastry brush on it.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: matmob on December 30, 2010, 06:04:39 am
Gluten free book
 sesame slice

 hi there this didn't work out for me. It doesn't gel, just stays as a dry mixture.

can you tell me what is missing from it?

The recipe doesn't say anything about baking this - but I did just until it went slightly brown and I found it much better.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ClareN on January 05, 2011, 11:45:25 am
I've only had my TM for a week and have made a few things with varying degrees of success!

Recipe Name: Chocolate Sauce
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: None
Review: Fantastic!
Score: (out of 5*) 5


Recipe Name: Strawberry Sauce
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: None
Review: Delicious!
Score: (out of 5*) 5


Recipe Name: Ginger Beer
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: A lot less ginger and more sugar.  I only used 150g of ginger but it was so strong we couldn't drink it.
Review: Too strong and not nice
Score: (out of 5*) 0


Recipe Name: Creamy Traditional Ice-Cream
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: Maybe a bit more cream and less milk as it gets icy after a couple of days.
Review: Very nice flavour and very light and creamy.
Score: (out of 5*) 4 (would be 5 but it doesn't keep well)


Recipe Name: Veal Pizziola
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: Made it twice and the second time I blitzed the oil, oregano and added garlic for the marinade.  Also marinated it for 5 hours for more flavour.
Review: Very nice.  Guests were impressed  :)  Meat is very tender and veggies are nice in the varoma.
Score: (out of 5*) 5


Recipe Name: Butter Chicken
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: Not sure.  But it doesn't taste like Butter Chicken at all.  Needs less spice and more butter I think.  Also the chicken wasn't properly cooked, so I don't think 25 mins is long enough.  Think the chicken would be better marinated as well, and it produces WAY too much sauce.
Review: Not one I will try again.  We couldn't even eat it as the chicken was still raw in the middle!
Score: (out of 5*) 0


Recipe Name: Bolognaise Sauce
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: None, though quantity is small when making the lasagne.
Review: YUM!  We made it for lasagne and it was delicious.
Score: (out of 5*) 5


Recipe Name: Bechamel Sauce
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: None. 
Review: Made the double lot for Lasagne and it was delicious!
Score: (out of 5*) 5


I think after reading here, I might get more recipes from you guys.  I made a Chocolate Ice-cream from here the other day and my husband LOVED it!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: faffa_70 on January 05, 2011, 12:23:05 pm
Great reviews ClareN - I wonder though if perhaps your chicken cut too large as it should have been well and truly cooked in the 20 min.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on January 05, 2011, 01:11:18 pm
You've done well in a week Clare and we'd love you to try some of our recipes on here.  I had no problems with either the ginger beer or the traditional ice-cream - loved both of them but our taste buds are not all the same so there will be different responses from people all the time.  Have fun browsing our recipes and let us know what you do and what you think. If you only knew how hard it was to get people to do reviews in the early days of this forum  :-)) :-))  Things are different now and this forum is all the better for it.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: KatieV on January 06, 2011, 03:43:39 am
Hi all,

I'd back ClareN's comments on the Butter Chicken, very disappointed in total lack of flavour.  I didn't have the issue with the chicken pieces being raw in the middle.  My chicken cooked ok, just the lack of flavour was the issue.  I have the Indian cookbook and will make the version out of that one to see what the difference is.  Other feedback:

Tuna Mornay
Budget Bu$ter$
No tweaks needed.  Lemon juice gives it a real zesty zing - but not too overpowering
5 out of 5

Mashed Potato
Everyday Cooking
No tweaks needed - but found I needed to keep the measuring cup out of the lid as the liquid bubbled up and out if left in place.  Quantity was too much for 2 people, but I have frozen extras and have no issues with reheating, but you must remember to stir to get smooth consistency back.  This is a weekly must have from my husband.
5 out of 5

Beetroot Salad
Everyday Cooking
No tweaks needed - loved the crunch of the raw vegies - loved this one
5 out of 5

Baked Choc-Cinnamon Pudding
Budget Bu$ter$
Rice not completely cooked in steamer - didn't soften after being baked in oven.  Will remake and stir rice half way through cooking, as rice on base of steamer was perfect.  Chocolate flavour good.
3.5 out of 5

Cheers & happy cooking everyone.

KatieV
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on January 06, 2011, 11:29:51 am
Thanks for the reviews KatieV.  Good idea about stirring the rice halfway through.  If you've seen 'Brons garlic rice' on the forum, that is what she advised us to do several times during the cooking.  I've never frozen mashed potato - it obviously freezes well then?  I always have leftovers but it gets used the next day normally and TMX mash heats up beautifully in the microwave.
I tasted the beetroot salad at the demo I went to when I bought my machine and after 2 years, I still haven't made it  :-)) :-))
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: KatieV on January 06, 2011, 08:37:44 pm
Hey Judydawn,

I reheated some frozen mash last night and it was excellent.  I defrost using microwave and once defrosted, reheat slowly using about 70% power (based on a 1000 watt oven).  The only thing I would strongly recommend is that during the re-heating process, ensure you stir the mash really, really well 2 or 3 times.  This will restore the smooth, creamy texture of the original.  If you don't stir, it comes out gloopy and not very nice.

Cheers,
Katie
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on January 06, 2011, 11:02:04 pm
Thanks Katie.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: meganjane on January 08, 2011, 04:44:39 am
If you add some hot milk and butter while stirring, it will come up like it was just cooked!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ClareN on January 09, 2011, 07:59:47 am
Faffa/Kathryn (what's the ettiquete??) - I wondered that about the chicken myself, but it said 2-3cm cubed and that's what I did.  I'll know to cut it smaller for other recipes though!

Judy - how much ginger did you use?  I used 120g and think it needed about half that.  Maybe the ginger down here is super strong!  The ice-cream is great, just wish it didn't go icy after being frozen a day or two.

Katie - glad to hear the Tuna Mornay is nice.  I got the budget book as well so might give that a go this week.

I'm going to make the coleslaw and rice salad tonight for hubby's lunches.  Will do a potatoe one as well but will prob cook that the normal way so I can do more than one at a time!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on January 09, 2011, 08:43:05 am
Judy - how much ginger did you use?  I used 120g and think it needed about half that.  Maybe the ginger down here is super strong!  The ice-cream is great, just wish it didn't go icy after being frozen a day or two.


Clare, I would have used the lesser quantity of 150g (due to the cost of fresh ginger!) and have served it to visitors too - everyone thought it was great. Once you add the litre of mineral water to the ginger mixture, it dilutes the strength just right for us but you could always add more mineral water I guess to get the strength you like.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Jannikins on January 12, 2011, 11:14:05 am
Vegetable Stock Concentrate
Just made this and did it as per the recipe, which says that the large amount of salt is for preserving etc, As it smelled so divine, I had to taste it and whoa, soooo salty couldn't taste anything else.
Has anyone else modified this and still had good keeping, we use very little salt in our diet, even though I do like salt.

Update
OK so I just did a wash of the machine and tasted that, and I guess if I don't add any additional salt a recipe should be pretty ok.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on January 12, 2011, 11:54:55 am
That's it Jannikins, just omit salt from a recipe and it should be fine.  I am amazed at how many people give the VSC the taste test  :o :o :o 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Jannikins on January 12, 2011, 01:46:24 pm
Judy, I could not bear to waste the water that I pulsed in the machine to wash it so I made soup, Yummo, actually when the soup was cooked I tasted and even added a little more veg concentrate and gave it a quick pulse.
I was going to make the lentil and pumpkin soup but mast have used my pumpkin so extra tomato and red capsicum were the go.
So easy and quick and clean, that was what my sister said that she makes less mess now. Bonus.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: fundj&e on January 12, 2011, 06:28:34 pm
That’s what I do when I make Tahini paste, always followed by hummus
No waste and mush easier to clean
ciao
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Jannikins on January 13, 2011, 05:28:13 am
Oooo you make your own tahini I had never thought of that, is it on here somewhere.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: fundj&e on January 13, 2011, 06:02:28 am
I really don’t remember the quantity

Try 3/4 cup of oil to 2 cups of sesame seeds. If to thick add more oil. I use olive oil
 I don’t roast my seeds before grinding, you can if you wish   

Grind seeds and add ½ of the oil through the hole in lid scrape down, add the rest of the oil through the hole .scrape down a few times. Process the mixture until smooth
 
Hope this helps
Ciao
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Jannikins on January 13, 2011, 06:05:25 am
Ta fundi, Have a qty of Tahini on hand so will try it out when used up.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: KitchenDiva on January 13, 2011, 11:23:12 am
I made the stock without much salt as I was planning on freezing it so figured it didn't need as much 'preservative' however when I re-made the pumpkin soup it was no where near as nice as with the original stock that my consultant had made so I'm guessing that the salt is vital!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on January 13, 2011, 11:34:04 am
Thanks for reporting that KitchenDiva - it may help new members decide which way to go.  I know most of us were pretty shocked at the amount of salt and most want to try and reduce it.  Guess it is there for a reason  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Jannikins on January 14, 2011, 01:49:02 pm
Yep I have used the Concentrate in two meals in two days and it is great just how it is, only need to decide how much you want to add. taste taste.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ClareN on January 17, 2011, 04:44:52 am
Another review from me:

Recipe Name: Shepherds Pie
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: Use normal mash or not mash so much to make it less sloppy.
Review: Was very nice, but a bit sloppy.  Next time I might not whip the mash to see if that firms it up a bit as it wasn't as easy for my 16 month old to eat!  Taste wise, my hubby said it was the best he's ever had!
Score: (out of 5*)  4

Recipe Name: Tuna Mornay
Book Name: Budget Busters
Tweaking details: Does not need 3 cloves of garlic.
Review: Waaaaaayyyyy too much garlic - and I love garlic!  But the flavour was overwhelming.  I will make again, but only use 1 clove.
Score: (out of 5*) 4
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: ClareN on January 17, 2011, 04:53:46 am
I forgot one.

Recipe Name: Rice Salad
Book Name: EDC
Tweaking details: None
Review: Delicious and so so easy to make!
Score: (out of 5*) 5
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Lellyj on April 03, 2011, 11:51:11 am
Recipe Name:Chicken leek and corn pie
Book Name:Budget busters
Tweaks:put mix in 6 large ramikins and covered with a quarter sheet of puff pastry, sprinkled with egg wash and sesame seeds to make little mini pot pies.

Verdict:  All happy!  Yummy and easy.  Have found that many pot pie recipes from pre Thermomix days were quite runny and watery so I thought the filling of the consistency was great. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: sensuous on April 11, 2011, 05:27:33 am
Tried the Butter Chicken with good and positive results. Downside is that there was far too much sauce for the quantity of chicken. On day 2, I sauteed another 1kg of chicken in a frypan and added it to the sauce, then heated it through for dinner again. For those who have commented on lack of taste or flavour, I'd suggest checking the freshness of the spices. 
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: wigwam28 on May 01, 2011, 01:09:56 pm
Coleslaw

Everyday cookbook page 39

I don't add apple unless it is going to all be eaten the same day as it tends to go brown and looks unappetising - I add a little bit of sugar to compensate along with a handful of Italian parsley with the other ingredients. I usually only make 1/2 quantity and it only takes 3-4 seconds all up.

Couldn't get anything quicker than this salad, it takes longer to prepare the vegies for the bowl than it does to chop them. Haven't mastered the mayonnaise yet so use a bought one.

5/5 for me
instead of the mayonnaise i use about one tablesoon of mayonnaise (shop bought) and about 2 to 3 tablespoons of greek yoghurt. yummy!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Sassafrass on July 30, 2011, 02:48:50 am
Fast & Easy Indian Cooking
Tikka Paste p17
Chicken Tikka Masala p89
Cardamom Cake p156
Salty Lasi p 158

We had this as an entire meal including a bought roti (I will make my own - from above book at let you know how it went) and rice with the Chicken Tikka Masala.

Tikka Paste
I halved this recipe (didn't have enough coriander seeds for whole).  It made 1 whole jar (jam size) + 90g for 1st use.  the paste is DELICIOUS.  Mild enough for young children, but has a slight bite.
5 Stars  :D

Chicken Tikka Masala
The 1st time I made the Chicken tikka I thought there wasn't enough sauce, so this time I doubled it, however this made far too much, so next time I will make the exact quantities from the book (this way you finish thinking I would love a little more instead of oh my - I can't finish this).  The original recipe made enough to feed 2 adults and 3 children (aged 3-8).
5 Stars :D

Salty Lasi
Sadly we didn't really like this drink, however if you love the tang of Greek-style yogurt, and can eat it straight by the spoonful give it a go.
2 Stars  :-\

Cardamom Cake.
What can I say YUM YUM YUM.  We loved this cake.  It is basically a butter cake with a refreshing after taste, that's hard to describe but delicious.  I would not change a thing about this, and yes the cake is even more moist the next day - great with a coffee as well.  We served this firstly with creme fraiche, which was OK but much better with cream.  Also great by itself.
5 Stars  :D

Hope this inspires someone to give these a go



Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on July 30, 2011, 03:18:35 am
That's exactly what these reviews do Sassafrass, thanks for your posting.  I have little bags of tikka paste (100g) sitting in my freezer which makes life so much easier and I don't have to worry about use by dates.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Winn on August 29, 2011, 12:16:15 pm
Book:       Fast & easy Indian Cooking.
Recipe:     Chick Pea Curry
Review:    Made last week for 1st time, did half the amount as just me, more than enough for two to three  meals.  Kept  warm in insulated dish (similar function  as thermosaver) while rice was cooking in TX.  Enjoyed so much, it is cooking again right now.  Instead of salad, will include some  steamed diced carrots & brocolli florets.  5/5
               
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Sassafrass on September 06, 2011, 10:50:43 am
Recipe Name: Ravioli with Sweet Ricotta Filling and Lamb Ragout
Book Name: Full Steam Ahead
Tweaking details: I wouldn't change a thing – however the recipe doesn't say to leave the ravioli, however my pasta maker suggested you leave the made ravioli for an hour to dry out before cooking (if you don't let it dry out it will all stick together in the steamer)
Review: Absolutely loved this.  It did take a long time for me to roll out the dough, but it was well worth it
Score: (out of 5*) 5  ;D

I have read a very old link that said the pasta from the book doesn't make enough; however this feed 2 adults and 3 children (+ small lunch for husband next day).  The pasta needs to be rolled on the thinnest possible setting (I used 8 ), and it made 60 ravioli's.  I have also read questions about what flour to use, I used normal plain flour (Australian) with no problems.
Sassafrass
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on September 06, 2011, 11:07:44 am
Sassafrass, thanks for the review. The picture in FSA has a small quantity of a very dry sauce on it - is this the case or was yours runnier.  Did you do as suggested and that is have the ravioli as an entree and the lamb ragout as a main?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: Sassafrass on September 08, 2011, 02:41:42 am
Hi Judydawn,
I made the recipe exactly as it stated (I'm not yet confident tweaking), however I must admit I didn't read step 13 (how to serve) which tells you to use the ravioli as a 1st course and lamb ragout as main.  Instead I served the Lamb ragout as the sauce for the ravioli.  Now I understand about the quantity concerns and dryness issues.  I don't think there would be enough of the ravioli to serve on it's own (for four people, and it would be very dry, I also think the ragout needs something to soak into), however both together make a fantastic meal, easily serving four adults.  This meal is now one of our favourites, and well worth the effort of making your own pasta (I'm sure more experienced pasta makers would do this much quicker than I did, as all up it took me about 2 hours not 1h 20min).
Title: Re: Recipe Book Tweaking and Reviews!
Post by: judydawn on September 08, 2011, 03:13:26 am
Thanks for that Sassafrass, sounds a better idea to me too.