Hi everyone

I have been a thermomix owner since Christmas day.  My story is very similar to Joksanders that I just read.  I  saw thermomix for the first time about two years ago.  As a keen cook I was very interested, but decided that it was just too expensive and it would never happen.  Then in 2010, my 20 + year old food processor packed in.  Next, my son got all enthusiastic about breadmaking and dragged out my breadmaker from the laundry where it had been since I started working full time and we had our first loaf baking . . . when all the power tripped off!  Next I managed to burn out the motor of the mixer that I replaced my awesome second hand kenwood mixer with 7 years ago (and have nearly really been entirely happy with).  Since I now needed a new breadmaker, a decent mixer and a food processor, then maybe the thermomix was the go, afterall.  So I told my husband not to buy me a Christmas present, or a birthday present for my January birthday and eventually when we could afford it, I would like a thermomix.  Anyway, he kept on going on about how he had to get me SOMETHING and I finally suggested a pressure cooker as my teenage children are vegetarain and I cook a lot of pulses.  Next thing my mum said to me on Christmas eve that she coldn't believe I wanted a pressure cooker as my dad gave her one for their first anniversary and it was nearly divorce.  I kept saying to my husband, please don't spend too much money because when one day, I really wanted a thermomix.  Turns out everyone was in collusion and the pressure cooker was just to throw me off!  Mark (husband) had sent my mum to check out the thermomix and make sure it wasn't just a gimmick and you know what happened . . . she bought one too!  Needless to say I was VERY surprised to find the box just to the side of the Christmas tree (like Joksanders--the box was just too big for our tree).

Anway, I'm having my demo next week but in the meantime I have been cooking up a storm.

So far have made
custard and gravy on Christmas day--very easy
chicken pate from EDC--amazing!
mojitos--from this site, yum yum
raspberry sorbet -- delicious although some didn't like the seeds
pancake mix--my recipe, mixed in seconds
pizza dough from EDC--I make pizza every week with three teenagers in the house, so was pleased that this is so quick and easy
"Never fail cupcakes"--from this site--easy peasy and yum
Creamy vanilla frosting--from here http://www.stephberg.com/?p=2888, worth the extra trouble
Red lentil dahl from EDC--okay, looking forward to adapting my own recipes
cauliflower and date curry--from here http://thermorecipes.blogspot.com something a bit different
naan bread from Tenina's site--awesome, cooked on cast iron skillet on stove top
Judydawn's fresh fruit daiquiri from this site--in strawberry and banana
mango sorbet--made this twice! Delish
chocolate sorbet--http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=4233.0 biggest flop so far
risotto--added chicken and peas to mushroom risotto in EDC--easy and perfectly edible
Judydawn's recipe for carrot and zuccini fritters--easy and yummy
mashed potato EDC--was wrapt with this recipe as I LOVE mashed potato and I HATE making it.  Will through out my potato ricer and food mouli when I throw out all my broked appliances.


So as you can see, so far, so good.  I am looking foward to trying thermomix stirfries and getting my mind around the varoma.  I want to try some all in one meals and develop a list of quick and easy options for work days as well as continuing to play with more gourmet challenges such as pastries and breads.  Don't find the EDC that inspiring or the vegetarian cookbook--as a foodie I'm more used to the gorgeous books put out by Karen Martini and Nigella, so I'm used to being tempted by gorgeous photography, rather than more utilitarian cookbooks such as these.  So I guess I'll be coming here often for inspiration, then!  Must say in my past few weeks of lurking, I'm looking forward to being part of this community as everyone seems so helpful and friendly.

Thanks!  Lesley